Business Law Franchise Law Committee

Franchise and Distribution Law is one of a handful of legal specialties certified by the California State Bar. Franchising is recognized as a specialty largely in part to the complexities and nuances within state and federal franchise laws – most notably, California’s Franchise Investment Law and Franchise Relations Act. Notwithstanding this recognized area of legal specialization, lawyers less familiar with franchising are still retained to litigate disputes arising out of franchise or quasi-franchise relationships. Too often, this lack of familiarity… Read more

For decades, it has been commonplace for non-franchise businesses using a quasi-franchise business model (i.e., any business format license) to distinguish themselves from franchisors in order to avoid the arduous California franchise laws. A recent California district court case suggests that this may be changing – at least when confronted with employee misclassification claims. In Ambrose v. Avis Rent a Car Sys. (Ambrose v. Avis Rent a Car Sys., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 170406 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 8, 2014)), the defendants –… Read more

The Business Law Section is compiling the complete Interpretive Opinions concerning franchise issues from the State of California Department of Corporations. Read more

State of California Department of Corporations Willie R. Barnes, Commissioner In reply refer to: File No. _____ This letter is not an Interpretive Opinion for the reasons stated below. Mr. Victor D. AdamoAttorney at LawNederlander, Dodge & McCauley, P.C.1930 Buhl BuildingDetroit, Michigan 48226 Dear Mr. Adamo: The request for an interpretive opinion contained in your letter dated January 19, 1979, as supplemented by your letter dated February 27, 1979, has been considered by the Commissioner. Your letters raise the question whether… Read more