A new ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Awuah v. Coverall case is yet the latest in a string of recent court decisions that confirm the strength and enforceability of arbitration clauses in franchise agreements.
Author: Matthew Kreutzer, Las Vegas Franchise Attorney
Mr. Kreutzer concentrates his practice in franchising, with an emphasis in transactional franchise law and franchise litigation.
He has spent more than 15 years working with individuals and companies on issues relating to the franchise relationship.
Experienced in all facets of franchise law, Mr. Kreutzer assists both start-up and mature franchisors with developing, protecting and licensing their franchise and distribution systems. As part of this practice, he counsels companies regarding the laws and regulations pertaining to franchising nationwide and assists them in creating their contracts, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and other critical operational documents. He also responds to state administrative inquires and investigations, and obtains exemptions and interpretive opinions from regulatory agencies.
With his background in franchise litigation, Mr. Kreutzer understands the risks inherent in the relationship and works with his clients to limit those risks so that those franchisors can focus on brand and system growth.
Mr. Kreutzer received his B.A., cum laude, from The American University in 1995 and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School in 1998. He is a certified specialist in Franchise and Distribution Law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization (the “Board”) and is a Commissioner on the Board’s Franchise and Distribution Law committee.
Mr. Kreutzer is a longstanding officer and member of the California Franchise Law Committee, and is a member of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising.
Mr. Kreutzer is an AV® Peer-Review Rated attorney by Martindale Hubbell and was named a “Super Lawyer” 2013 - 2017 and a “Rising Star” in 2012 by Mountain States Super Lawyers. He was honored as a “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times magazine 2013 - 2017, and as one of the “40 Under 40” by In Business Las Vegas in 2010.
He is licensed to practice in the States of Nevada, California and Maryland.
Author of the "Forward Franchising" blog, located at www.forwardfranchising.com
Controversial Film “Escape From Tomorrow” Shows Need to Protect Intellectual Property
“Escape From Tomorrow,” one of the most controversial films at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, has put copyright and trademark law, as well as the question of what constitutes parody, in the spotlight. The film reminds companies why it is important to protect their intellectual property: to prevent use (or misuse) by others.
Top Ten Employment Legal Issues for 2013
Looking to the new year, the labor and employment practitioners at Armstrong Teasdale have come up with a list of the top 10 employment law issues for employers. By keeping this Top 10 list of employment issues in mind, you can minimize legal risks and maximize chances of successfully dealing with employment law challenges in 2013.
The Unintended Franchise: If It Quacks Like A Duck . . .
An article I wrote about “hidden franchises,” that is, business arrangements that meet the technical definition of a franchise but do not identify themselves as such, is featured in the January 2013 issue of Nevada Business magazine.
FTC Issues Guidance to Franchisors Regarding Disclosure of Franchise Territories
The Federal Trade Commission recently issued new guidance that will affect how franchisors disclose whether they grant exclusive territories to franchisees.
Changing With The Times: “The Artist” And Franchise System Evolution
The movie “The Artist” is an excellent illustration of how changing times and changing customer demand can leave behind those who refuse to change with them. Those companies that don’t see / don’t understand the way public tastes are changing, and those that simply refuse to evolve themselves to respond to these changes are at risk of losing business or being left behind.
Forward Franchising 