When a Canadian franchisee confesses, Whom does the lawyer really serve?

Every year the Franchise Times magazine publishes a Legal Eagles™ listing.

Who are they and Whom do they Serve?

2011 Canadian Legal Eagles™

• Joseph Adler, Hoffer Adler LLP, Toronto, ON, Franchisors
• Jennifer Dolman, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Toronto, ON, Franchisors
• Paul Jones, Jones and Co., Toronto, ON, Both
• Edward “Ned” Levitt, Aird & Berlis LLP, Toronto, ON, Franchisors
• Leonard Polsky, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Vancouver, BC, Franchisors
• John Rogers, Davis LLP, Toronto, ON, Both
• John Sotos, Sotos LLP, Toronto, ON, Both
• Stéphane Teasdale, Fraser Milner (FMC) LLP, Montreal, QC, Franchisors
• Larry Weinberg,  Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Toronto, ON, Franchisors
• Frank Zaid, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Toronto, ON, Franchisors

Better choose who you talk to because until you pay them, retention letter, etc. there is no solicitor:client relationship [read: confidentiality].

Remember:

1. Bay Street rent isn’t paid for by 1/2 freebie chats (defending the offending franchisor…maybe),
2. 95% of all legal work (and almost 100% of repeat business) is paid for by franchisors or their supporters,
3. no lawyer confesses to only doing franchisee work, and
4. how 100% of them belong to the franchisor-only trade association, the Canadian Franchise Association (see Lawyers section).

Be cautious of who you confide in because there is an overwhelming bias against franchisees’ interests.

[Franchise Times, click for pdf, p. 15]