Franchise Committee

The members of the BLS Franchise Law Committee (“FLC”) specialize in franchising, licensing and distribution law. The FLC is extremely diverse, with its members representing both franchisees, franchisors and distributors in both disputes and deals. The FLC advises California practitioners about the multiple laws and regulations that govern franchises throughout California and sometimes in other states.

On December 12, 2019, the Franchise Committee held a webinar on Assembly Bill 5 (classification of workers as independent contractors or employees) with a focus on franchising. 

The program reviewed the impact AB 5 may have on businesses, with a focus on franchising.  It also identified recent case law on the question of joint employment, including, whether and how AB 5 potentially changes the relationships between franchisors, franchises and franchisee employees.  Speakers provided a perspective of AB 5 from that of a franchise litigator, franchise compliance attorney, franchisee attorney, and franchise in-house attorney.  The speakers were Brian H. Cole;  Tal Grinblat, Lewitt Hackman;  Doug Luther;  Grant Nigolian, Grant Nigolian, P.C.;  and Elizabeth M. Weldon, Snell & Wilmer LLP.

Franchise Committee Chair:

Doug Luther, General Counsel, Amada Senior Care
doug.l@amadaseniorcare.com