Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Rob Lauer has co-edited the first book published in the United States that provides international franchise law practitioners with an in-depth review of applicable franchise laws and regulations throughout Europe.
Published by the American Bar Association, Fundamentals of Franchising — Europe will serve as an invaluable guide to lawyers whose clients are considering franchise system expansion in Europe.
The book addresses franchising-related regulations promulgated by the European Union and also surveys relevant issues and regulations on a country-by-country basis in Europe. Topics include:
- Business overview covering such issues as: governmental approaches to business/commercial activity; business structures; banks’ support for franchising; and inward investment
- Franchise trade association(s) active in that country
- Franchise agreements
- Brand/know-how, including trade names, trademarks, copyrights and others
- Real estate
- Taxation
- Employment and vicarious liability
- Disputes
At Haynes and Boone, Lauer devotes 100 percent of his practice to domestic and international franchise matters. He helps both large and small/startup franchisors structure domestic and international franchise offerings, comply with domestic and international franchise disclosure and registration requirements, and negotiate franchise and related agreements around the world, among other matters. Prior to joining the firm, Lauer was an in-house franchise and litigation lawyer for a large public restaurant franchisor and operator.
Lauer co-edited Fundamentals of Franchising — Europe with John Pratt, managing partner of Hamilton Pratt, a UK firm that focuses on advising the franchise sector.
“This new book is a comprehensive treatment of the laws and regulations that affect franchise companies in Europe,” said Haynes and Boone Partner Deborah Coldwell, co-chair of the firm’s Franchise and Distribution Practice Group. “Each chapter discusses relevant and wide-ranging issues — from drafting franchise agreements that comply with the country’s laws to handling local real estate and taxation issues. Fundamentals of Franchising — Europe will be a terrific resource for franchise practitioners in the United States and in Europe for years to come.”
Karen Satterlee, chair of the ABA’s Forum on Franchising, called the book a first of its kind. “While several books have been written about international franchise sales laws, the ABA has not focused on international franchise law holistically in this region by reviewing applicable laws in non-disclosure countries,” she said in a foreword to the book. “This monolith will provide the international franchise law practitioner with an in-depth review of applicable law in all countries where clients may be considering franchise system expansion throughout Europe.”