Franchising is an effective way for brand owners to achieve rapid expansion through franchisee investment. But although widely utilized across a variety of industries, franchising is not without its legal risks. Federal and state franchise laws can apply to a surprisingly broad spectrum of contractual arrangements, making it crucial for attorneys to remain vigilant and avoid creating “accidental franchises.” Regulatory issues and shifting trends – such as the NLRB’s expanded joint employer rule, increasing investment by private equity firms in both franchisees and franchisors, and the rise of alternate channels of distribution – also create opportunities and pitfalls in drafting and negotiating franchise agreements.

Careful drafting is key to unlocking the transfer tax benefits offered by Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs). Balancing the demands of client control over asset investments and distributions alongside compliance and optimal trust performance can be particularly tricky. Understanding the economics is also essential for ensuring a GRAT accomplishes the anticipated financial goals. Be empowered to expertly guide your estate planning clients by joining us for this insightful webcast. It will explore strategic planning techniques aimed at maximizing GRAT benefits while minimizing associated risks. You’ll discover the advantages of adaptable drafting strategies that accommodate evolving family and tax planning dynamics, ultimately optimizing the effectiveness of a GRAT.

Behind every successful and long-term real estate joint venture is an effective operating agreement. Effective agreements shape governance, operations, and financial structures, leading to a long lasting and successful business arrangement. A poorly negotiated or drafted operating agreement has equal power and can unravel your deal before or after it is signed. Given the significance of operating agreements, your next one needs to be approached with finesse and with deal specifics as its focal point. Designed for real estate attorneys, investors, and industry participants, this course will show you how to negotiate and draft operating agreements that are music to clients’ ears.

Are you working with local counsel in another jurisdiction? Do you need assistance from an attorney with more specialized legal knowledge? Any attorney can find themselves sharing a client with another lawyer outside their firm. Working with co-counsel can be both rewarding and beneficial to a client, but also requires special consideration and care, as a variety of ethical issues and traps abound. This program will address those risks, the associated liabilities, and what the ethics rules and opinions say when two or more lawyers in different firms represent the same client.

Perhaps you are a state criminal practitioner considering federal criminal practice, but you do not know where to start. How is federal criminal practice different from what you are already doing? What is the basic procedure for a federal criminal case? The panel of federal criminal attorneys familiarizes you with what goes on inside our U.S. District Courts with the hope of empowering you to continue exploring your curiosity about federal criminal law. Utilize this program as a starting point to build a bridge to expand your current practice to reach the complex, important, and fascinating world of federal criminal law.

A limited liability company (LLC) offers a unique combination of the flexibility of a partnership with the asset protection of a corporation. To effectively advise clients on LLC matters, you must have the knowledge to convey the purpose of an LLC agreement, as well as the relevant provisions that apply to the formation and growth of the company. You must also have the foresight to address legal issues and potential disputes that might arise between LLC members and managers.

Now 30 years strong, this popular, advanced program covers significant recent developments and how they affect estate planning practice. Featuring a nationally renowned faculty of estate planning lawyers, as well as Professor Emeritus Jeffrey N. Pennell, this webcast is designed for sophisticated practitioners who need to stay up-to-date on changes in the field!

Every attorney who has tried a case has been faced with the question of how a certain, crucial piece of evidence can either be admitted or kept out from the trial. Perhaps it is a document originally written in Japanese with a translation, a photograph of an accident scene taken by a now-deceased photographer, a newspaper article, a police report, or blood test results. Similarly, attorneys are frequently faced with difficult witnesses that either require a great deal of preparation to put on the stand, or to elicit certain points during cross-examination. This seminar provides both new and experienced practitioners with real-life examples and suggestions to demystify the trial courts, the handling of witnesses, and the effective use of evidence at trial. Taught by a panel of practitioners experienced in civil litigation, this seminar provides insight into how evidence can be used effectively at trial. In addition, the faculty discuss their experience in what works and, perhaps most importantly, what doesn’t work! The seminar touches on the latest issues in the introduction of real and demonstrative evidence in both the criminal and civil contexts as well as the latest in electronic discovery.

The cannabis industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry despite an enduring federal prohibition on marijuana. As of February 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for recreational use, and another 14 states allow medicinal use. This growth has brought about increased demand from businesses for cannabis licensing within legalized jurisdictions and a growing need by the industry for legal counsel in such areas as licensing, corporate formation, tax planning, banking, real estate, creditor’s rights, and more.

Discover the best practices for navigating third-party subpoenas effectively to minimize disruption and potential legal complications. In this session, gain insights into the intricacies of responding to third-party subpoenas and learn strategies for avoid common pitfalls. Third-party subpoenas can be a useful discovery tool; however, those subpoenas may be disruptive and unfamiliar to the recipient – and to the party serving it. Moreover, as we emerge from the Pandemic and return to “normal” litigation practice, exploring key considerations such as in-person versus remote proceedings and cost allocation is critical for all parties. Whether you are a litigator or in-house, understanding your rights and responsibilities is crucial for protecting your client’s interests.