A good franchise lawyer is smart, commercially minded and personable. They also possess a lot of experience and are well-versed in the laws that apply to franchise relationships. When embarking on a franchise, either as a franchisor or franchisee, it is invaluable to have a good franchise lawyer on your side. Here are our top 6 things to look for when choosing a franchise lawyer:
Experience
When it comes to picking a lawyer, experience really matters. It shows they know their way around legal stuff, especially when reviewing documents. Experienced lawyers are often more efficient than juniors, simply because they’ve seen it all before. Plus, they’re adaptable, handling challenges with ease, especially when it comes to digging into those legal papers. A lawyer with many years of experience in franchising knows what a good franchise agreement looks like, understands industry standards, and interprets franchise agreements in light of applicable laws.
Broad knowledge
While experience in franchising is important, it’s also important to engage a lawyer with a broad perspective and range of experience. This enables your lawyer to examine an issue from multiple angles. Franchising doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Numerous legal areas impact franchises. Those include employment law, corporations law, leasing law, and consumer law. When you engage a lawyer with knowledge of all of these areas of law, they are able to provide more comprehensive guidance.
Testimonials
Often, the best way to know if a lawyer is good, is to see what others have said about them. You should never be afraid to ask for testimonials. Additionally, a quick google search can often go a long way.
Commerciality
A good franchise lawyer adopts a commercial approach. This means they won’t spend hours explaining legal clauses with no or little impact, nor will they seek to amend clauses without prospect of the amendment’s adoption. A lawyer’s commerciality is crucial. A good franchise lawyer understands not just the law, but also the business context in which advice is given. This ensures that legal solutions the lawyer comes up align with the client’s commercial objectives. A commercially minded lawyer can offer strategic guidance that not only mitigates legal risks but also maximises opportunities for their clients’ success in the marketplace.
Approachability
It’s all well and good for a lawyer to be an expert, but they also need to be approachable for clients to really benefit from the client lawyer relationship. You want a lawyer who is responsive, who you can call for a quick question, and who has the capacity to give you the attention you deserve. When seeking to engage a lawyer, you should ask them what their standard turnaround times are for work, and if they have a policy about returning calls.
Plain language
It’s important to be able to understand the advice your lawyer gives. Lawyers are notorious for speaking in ‘another language’. They often litter their advice with legal jargon, long-winded sentences, and even a Latin term or two. A good franchise lawyer will be able to explain complex legal issues and clauses in simple terms. They will be able to speak your language, and answer your questions in a way that leaves you feeling heard and understood. A great way to make complex concepts digestible is to provide practical examples, and this is something a good lawyer often does.
If you need a good franchise lawyer, we’ve got you covered! Magnolia Legal’s lawyers are experienced franchising experts and tick all the boxes. Reach out for an obligation-free initial chat to see if we’re a good fit for you.