Deborah S. Coldwell

Deborah Coldwell represents franchisors, distributors, joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships, and the individuals who run those companies in jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations. She has litigated across several industries – from hotels and restaurants to health clubs and tax preparation services to product and service-based franchise and distribution networks.

Deb will help bring a business solution to a dispute when possible and is skilled in representing clients in mediations and other settlement proceedings. But when litigation is inevitable, she is fully prepared to go to trial or arbitration and to fight for a company and its officers. To that end, in 2022 Deb successfully led a trial team in a franchise case in the Eastern District of Texas, tried a case involving the sale of a franchise company in bankruptcy court, and previously litigated a successful six week jury trial in Texas state court in a joint venture dispute. Ranked nationally in Band 1 by Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, 2009-2025 in the franchise law category, clients have described her as an "outstanding trial lawyer,” “very poised, thoughtful and smart,” and as “an especially good advocate.”

Deb loves to organize and motivate teams to accomplish short and long term goals. She is a past chair of the 2,000-plus member American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. She also served the Forum as the editor-in-chief of the Franchise Law Journal and as its publications officer. Deb is currently a Champion at the Center for Women in Law housed at the University of Texas School of Law. She was nominated and is serving a three year term on the Executive Committee of the Center.

Prior to attending law school, Deb worked in restaurants and taught junior high and college. Deb’s unique background helps her bring a practical approach to problem solving and allows her to assist clients to find an individual workable strategy in each case she handles. As a skilled and creative trial lawyer, Deb has the experience and flexibility to provide clients with quality representation on a “one size does not fit all” basis.