David Almeida

Watching my clients succeed to the limits of whatever level of growth they wish to accomplish. Whether working with a well-established, global brand or seeing my clients take a back-of-the-napkin idea and turn it into a successful, burgeoning brand, being a part of well-executed entrepreneurship is incredibly rewarding.

Understanding that the client relationship is just as important as substantive experience in the industry. The right attorney should of course have the requisite experience, but that partner also needs to have the ability to understand your industry and the responsiveness to immediately address issues as they arise. I pride myself on being there for my clients when they need me and providing them with guidance before they realize they need me.

• Make sure your legal partner has the right mix of substantive skills
• Also understands your business model, your industry, and your goals
• Look beyond rote franchise law experience
• Seek out a partner who understands your business needs from a holistic perspective
• Knows what unique issues are most likely to arise in your industry

Talk to your lawyer first. Better to understand and weigh risks at the early stages of growth than to face a serious threat after your brand has significantly expanded.

The intersection of franchise law with the continued emergence of data privacy and cyber-security trends. This area of law continues to expand post-CCPA and more and more states are enacting a variety of laws that affect how you and your franchisees can collect, share, use, and store your customers' data.