Franchise Dispute:
Tips for Resolution and Prevention

Richard "Rick" Mortensen has practiced law continuously in Utah since 2006. For most of that time, he worked in-house, including stints at two international mining companies, two direct selling/MLM companies, a large ecommerce retailer, and an accounting/fintech firm. He also has extensive litigation experience, having represented plaintiffs and defendants in every stage of litigation, including jury trials and appeals. His current role is as a fractional general counsel for businesses of all sizes.

Hello, my name is Matt Shelton and I am a transactional attorney with about 3 years of legal experience, mainly consisting of drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts. I have a background in real estate, with experience drafting and negotiating a wide range of real estate contracts, including purchase agreements, operating agreements, leases, easements, property management agreements, development agreements, deeds, NDAs, and others. Additionally, I have experience working on a variety of commercial agreements, including sponsorship agreements, shareholder agreements, indemnities, sales contracts, and others, as well as drafting persuasive letters, such as demand letters, cease and desists, and notices.

Jeanne is a trusted and approachable legal advisor for contractors, developers, architects, and owners navigating the complexities of construction projects and serves as the founding attorney at Harrison Litigation Team, PLLC. Jeanne has a deep legal knowledge with a genuine understanding of the people and projects behind every build, bringing over a decade of experience to each dispute and transaction. She focuses her practice on construction litigation, business litigation, and complex transactions, guiding clients through the full lifecycle of their projects — from contract negotiation and risk management to dispute resolution and litigation. Capabilities: * Drafting and negotiating AIA and custom construction and business contracts * Managing claims involving delays, defects, and payment disputes * Representing clients in mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings * Advising on regulatory compliance and lien enforcement * Guiding business transactions and partnership agreements

Prenuptial Agreements I represent clients in the preparation and review of prenuptial agreements. My experience includes drafting comprehensive prenuptial agreements on behalf of the initiating fiancé, ensuring that the agreement accurately reflects the client's financial interests, assets, liabilities, and objectives while complying with applicable legal requirements. I also represent the non-drafting fiancé by conducting a thorough review of proposed prenuptial agreements, identifying legal and financial issues, explaining the rights and obligations created by the agreement, recommending revisions where appropriate, and negotiating modifications to help protect my client's interests before execution. Probate Administration Represented a client in the complete administration of a California probate estate valued at approximately $1 million. Successfully handled the matter from the initial petition through final distribution, preparing all required court filings, advising the executor throughout the administration, resolving probate requirements, and obtaining court approval to close the estate. Achieved the successful distribution of the estate assets to the executor and sole beneficiary in accordance with California probate law.

I am a New York-admitted securities attorney and regulatory compliance professional with more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including broker-dealers, investment advisers, private funds, and fintech businesses. My background includes legal, regulatory, and compliance leadership roles, including service as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of an SEC-registered investment adviser. I advise clients on securities regulation, private offerings, private fund formation, investment management, broker-dealer and investment adviser regulation, AML, privacy, and related commercial and regulatory matters. My experience includes advising on private offerings under Regulation D with Regulation S considerations, as well as fundraising alternatives under Regulation A and Regulation CF, and drafting and reviewing offering documents, fund documentation, compliance programs, and related agreements. I have extensive experience working with SEC, FINRA, and NFA regulatory frameworks and helping clients navigate complex legal, regulatory, and business challenges. My practice includes: • Broker-dealer and RIA registration, compliance, and regulatory matters • Private fund formation (PPMs, LPAs, operating agreements, subscription documents) • Regulation D, Regulation S, Regulation A, and Regulation CF offerings • Regulatory filings (ADV, BD, U4, U5, 13D, 13G, 13F, Form 4, etc.) • Regulatory examinations, inquiries, investigations, and remediation • Compliance manuals, WSPs, Codes of Ethics, AML programs, and risk assessments • Marketing and advertising compliance reviews • Investment management agreements, advisory agreements, subscription agreements, side letters, and related documents • Commercial agreements, NDAs, service agreements, and privacy policies • Fintech, digital asset, MSB, and money transmission considerations and related regulatory matters I am admitted to practice in New York and hold the CAMS (AML), CIPP/US (privacy), and CCEP (compliance and ethics) certifications.

Offering support services to in-house legal departments and small law firms.

Fractional general counsel and transactional attorney with 25 years of experience serving small and mid-size businesses. Particular depth in AEC, environmental consulting, and professional services industries. Commercial contracts, business formations, corporate governance, M&A support, NDAs, and commercial leases. Admitted in New York and Colorado.

Ryan Darby is a California attorney and commercial real estate developer with more than a decade of civil litigation experience. From 2010 through 2024, he operated the Law Office of Ryan T. Darby. His practice initially focused on landlord-tenant matters and later shifted to defamation defense and First Amendment litigation, including anti-SLAPP motion practice. He served as co-counsel for the plaintiff-appellant in a published Ninth Circuit opinion that reversed the dismissal of First Amendment claims and established precedent protecting speech and press rights against retaliatory government action. Ryan founded Quintessential Capital in 2019 to pursue multifamily acquisitions and later shifted the company’s focus to flex-industrial development. He has since completed a ground-up flex-industrial project in Sparks, Nevada. As a real estate principal, he has negotiated letters of intent, purchase agreements, a loan agreement and related extension, and listing agreements. His legal experience includes drafting and negotiating leases, settlement agreements, and releases, and advising clients on contract disputes. Ryan earned his J.D. from Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law, where he served as a Senior Staff Editor of the Chapman Law Review. His current practice focuses on real estate and lease agreements, settlements and releases, and contract-related disputes. His experience as both counsel and client helps him distinguish between theoretical concerns and risks that matter in practice. Ryan lives in San Diego with his wife, young son, dog, and cat.

I handle litigation, trial, and appeal of civil rights, torts, breach of contract, and family law matters.

Former Kirkland & Ellis litigator. 3x business owner before law school. Motivated to solve commercial disputes using legal tools from a business lens.

I am a Massachusetts attorney with an MBA and approximately six years of experience advising closely held businesses, business owners, and individuals on contracts, corporate transactions, commercial real estate, and day-to-day business legal issues. My practice focuses on helping clients draft, review, negotiate, and understand agreements that support their business goals while identifying practical legal and financial risks before problems arise. I assist clients with matters including business purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, independent contractor agreements, confidentiality agreements, operating agreements, entity formation documents, corporate governance materials, and outside general counsel support. I also bring many years of litigation experience involving contract, business, real estate, construction, and ownership disputes, which I believe helps me review agreements with an eye toward clarity, enforceability, and avoiding future disputes. My goal is to provide practical, responsive, and business-minded legal guidance to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals who need clear answers and well-drafted documents without unnecessary complexity.