Michael works in FSBR’s business practice, specializing in franchising, intellectual property, liquor licensing, and general business law. He works with businesses of all sizes, offering legal advice regarding business decisions and helping clients manage risk and executive growth strategies through franchising.

Every time a client sells a franchise, Michael shares in their pride. He enjoys the relationships he builds with clients as their trusted legal and business advisor just as much as he likes digging into the details of industry specifics. Applying the nuances of business and franchise law drives his passion for the work he does, and he’s dedicated to helping clients make informed decisions about whatever legal risk or challenge lies in front of them, through every stage of their business growth.

Michael came to FSBR in 2013. Prior to that, he worked on a wide range of corporate, transactional, compliance, and regulatory matters with a Washington, D.C., law firm.

Outside of the office, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and rooting for MSU and Detroit sports teams.

EXPERIENCE

• Goldfish Swim School
• Beyond Juicery + Eatery
• Detroit Wing Company
• Auto-Lab Complete Car care Center
• Ellison Brewery + Spirits

John focuses on all aspects of representing franchisors and small businesses, including franchise and distribution, commercial contracts, business planning, and corporate law.

He excels at listening to what his clients want to accomplish, analyzing it quickly, and then turning that into the legal documents they need. He’s committed to timely, quality service for his clients, and he’s proud to be part of a team of leading franchise lawyers in Michigan.

A practicing attorney since 1981, John has decades of experience representing and advising established and start-up franchisors in all aspects of franchise, business opportunity, and distribution law, including drafting disclosure documents and registering franchises under state franchise laws for many franchisors. He also has experience in the buying and selling of franchisor companies.

John has worked with a broad range of franchise clients, including Tuffy Tire and Auto Service Centers, Two Men and a Truck International, BIGGBY Coffee, Fowling Warehouse, Massage Green International Franchise Corp., Milkster Nitrogen Creamery, Red Effect Infrared Fitness, Stretch Smart Infrared Therapy, Zoup! Systems, LLC, LOOK! Insurance Agencies, Inc., Tropi-Tan Tanning Salons, Happy’s Pizza, Airtime Trampoline & Game Park, and Wild Bills Tobacco.

When he’s not working, John enjoys downhill skiing, golfing with his wife, having dinner with friends, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

John came to FSBR in 2018 after serving as a shareholder at Butzel Long in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

EXPERIENCE

• Responsible for compliance with federal and state franchise and business opportunity laws.
• Drafting franchise and distribution related documents, including franchise agreements, area development agreements, area representations agreements, subfranchise agreements, co-branding agreements, confidentiality agreements, guaranties, franchise termination agreements, agreements relating to the sale of company-owned stores and the purchase of franchise stores, finance documents, promissory notes, security agreements, form agreements for use by franchisors in all aspects of the franchise business, transfer materials, administrative provisions for operations manuals, documents related to special franchise programs, supplier agreements and settlement agreements.
• Advising franchisors in antitrust, price discrimination, supplier, and other trade regulation issues, as well as to all aspects of franchise dispute resolution.
• Buying and selling of franchisor companies.
• Significant experience in other aspects of commercial transactions and business planning, representing and advising clients on matters relating to corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other entities, buying and selling businesses, business and tax planning, secured transactions, real estate, employment, and estate planning, as well as other areas of commercial law.

Mitchell is an associate attorney with Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC, where he counsels clients in strategic approaches to achieve their goals. His practice focuses on general business law, franchising, intellectual property, as well as certain aspects of employment law that surround the business sector.

Mitch is dedicated to supporting all aspects of the client’s brand. He routinely conducts trademark clearance searches, prepares and prosecutes trademark applications, and manages the trademark registration process from beginning to end. When negotiating complex licensing and service agreements, he emphasizes communication and collaboration to arrive at a finished product that will not only meet the client’s needs and goals, but also mitigate risks. Mitch also regularly drafts legal memorandums and conducts legal research in his respective fields of practice.

Mitch joined FSBR as a law clerk in 2017 and became an associate with the firm in 2020. While attending law school, Mitch interned at the Legal Services of Eastern Michigan. He was also a member of the Trademark Moot Court Team, a teaching assistant, and served as a notes editor on the Editorial Board of the Michigan State Law Review.

Outside of the office, Mitch enjoys spending time in Northern Michigan at his family cottage on Houghton Lake. He also enjoys craft beer and visiting breweries around the state. As a true Michigan native, he is a loyal fan of the Detroit Lions, no matter the highs and lows that it brings.

EXPERIENCE

• Drafted a license agreement regarding indoor go-karting software. This involved extensive legal research into the issues involved in software licensing.
• Drafted a series of service agreements on behalf of a client.
• Regularly performs research regarding trademark rights and registration and drafts trademark applications, renewals, and responses to office actions with the USPTO for various clients.
• Performed comprehensive legal research and drafted opinion letters and memos for employers regarding FLSA wage and hour issues, including rules relating to handling tips and tip pools.

As the leader of the firm’s business practice, Mark is committed to helping clients design and execute their dreams. He focuses on developing and implementing growth strategies for businesses with an emphasis on franchising, liquor licensing and regulation, general corporate matters, mergers, acquisitions, or other corporate transactions, bank debt or equity private placement financing transactions, real estate, and other business-related matters.

The brainstorming, collaboration, and curiosity surrounding what clients seek drive Mark’s passion for his work. He’s proud to become part of his clients’ circle of trusted advisors, engaging with them sometimes daily to guide them through the process of growing their businesses.

His work is specially tailored to the hospitality industry, but his experience allows him to assist virtually any business segment. Mark knows business decisions often have legal implications, and he’s dedicated to ensuring his clients understand the real-world implications of their choices as they pursue expansion strategies. With more than 30 years of experience practicing law, Mark has seen it all in franchising, and he is eager to share his expertise with his clients.

Outside of the office, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, especially on Lake Charlevoix. He’s an avid golfer and a fan of MSU sports.

EXPERIENCE

• Franchisor outside counsel: provide “trusted advisor” counsel to franchisor from start-up to now Top 300 franchise system; perform general counsel services for franchisor; daily advice and counsel regarding franchise sales, relationship management, supply chain contracting, marketing, and operations.
• Franchise Regulatory counsel: provide franchise regulatory counsel to franchisors, from start-up franchisors to iconic brands; perform federal and state law regulatory compliance for franchisors with advice and counsel on franchise sales and relationship management.
• Corporate General Counsel: provide general counsel work to multi-generational closely held business, prepare company for acquisition, representation of company in sale of company to private equity purchaser; assisted closely held company in raising $10 Million in new equity capital private placement with federal and state securities laws compliance.
• Liquor License acquisition (manufacturers and retailers); Liquor law violation hearings; manufacturer-wholesaler relationship management.
• Trademark prosecution and enforcement.