Kathryn B. Shipe

Our attorneys have years of experience at top law firms and as in-house counsel to several large franchisors. Our in-house experience means we are uniquely situated to better understand the practical needs of business owners and franchisors. Our goal is to deliver stream-lined documents and value-oriented solutions to legal problems, without compromising quality.

• What makes your firm stand out as a resource for the franchise industry?
• Our attorneys have years of experience at top law firms and as in-house counsel to several large franchisors.

The first thing is to find someone whose main practice area is franchising. It is truly a specialty, and a franchisor/franchisee needs a true franchise lawyer. A good question to ask of any lawyer you are interviewing is “what percentage of your time do you spend on franchise-related work?” If it’s less than 80 to 90%, it is probably better to keep looking.

• What is the No. 1 thing a franchisor/franchisee should look for when identifying the right franchise attorney?
• The first thing is to find someone whose main practice area is franchising.
• A good question to ask of any lawyer you are interviewing is “what percentage of your time do you spend on franchise-related work?” If it’s less than 80 to 90%, it is probably better to keep looking.

As I’ve become a more senior attorney, I’ve really come to enjoy the counseling aspect of my job. I have many teachers in my family, and I’ve come to realize that good lawyers are really good teachers in many ways, helping people understand the law in the context of a variety of situations. Also, franchising is wonderful because it enables people to go out on their own and support their families through their own independent business.

• What makes you happiest?
• As I’ve become a more senior attorney, I’ve really come to enjoy the counseling aspect of my job.
• I have many teachers in my family, and I’ve come to realize that good lawyers are really good teachers in many ways, helping people understand the law in the context of a variety of situations.
• Also, franchising is wonderful because it enables people to go out on their own and support their families through their own independent business.

When the U.S. economy is vibrant and financing is readily accessible, as it has been, franchising thrives. There has been a great deal of talk in recent months about our economy slowing down and interest rates raising. An economic decline, coupled with increased interest rates and costs due to changes in U.S. international trade policies, could negatively impact our economy.

• What are your top concerns for the franchise industry in the next year?
• When the U.S. economy is vibrant and financing is readily accessible, as it has been, franchising thrives.
• There has been a great deal of talk in recent months about our economy slowing down and interest rates raising.
• An economic decline, coupled with increased interest rates and costs due to changes in U.S. international trade policies, could negatively impact our economy.

The number of calls we’ve received in recent months for potential start-up franchisors and franchisees wishing to purchase new or existing units leads us to believe that people’s confidence in the U.S. economy is unshaken, and that is something to be optimistic about.