Saxton & Stump gets serious about franchise law

With growing demand for specialized services surging, legal firm Saxton & Stump has launched a new practice aimed at assisting franchises.

According to Saxton & Stump, franchise litigation has become more frequent and complex. The firm announced its move at the International Franchise Association’s 2025 Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

Led by co-chairs Thomas Kent, Jr. and Amanda Dempsey, the new Franchising, Licensing and Distribution Group brings decades of combined experience in focusing on the franchising industry.

“Legal disputes have grown more sophisticated, requiring lawyers that are effective, cost-efficient, and understand the unique dynamics of franchising,” said Kent, co-chair of the Franchising, Licensing, and Distribution Group. “Complex litigation can derail even the best in-house legal teams.”

Saxton & Stump said its franchise litigation team represents clients in matters involving:

• Franchise-focused litigation and arbitration involving franchise systems, franchisees, vendors, and related claims,

• Antitrust issues, including price fixing, territory exclusivity, procurement arrangements, and supply chain restraints,

• Trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret enforcement,

• Labor and employment matters such as joint employer liability, vicarious liability, discrimination and harassment claims, health and safety violations, and unfair labor practices,

• Regulatory agency actions and investigations,

• Breach of contract matters.

“Our platform at Saxton & Stump gives us the unique ability to assemble a team of experts with the bandwidth to address a full spectrum of needs for franchisors, including litigation, mediation, and arbitration, and meet these challenges with confidence,” Kent added.

Attorneys who have been named as part of the practice include Judge Christopher Conner, Louis Fiorilla, Chad Goebel, Richard Hackman, Jason A. Daigle, M. Kelly Tillery, and Samuel Harrison. Overall, Saxton & Stump has more than 110 attorneys at the practice. Saxton & Stump has seven offices located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and South Carolina