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 (“Mitch”) is a Senior Associate Attorney at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC. He joined the firm as an associate in 2020 after clerking with FSBR during law school, where he first developed a strong interest in franchise and brand-focused law. His practice centers on franchising, trademark law, business and corporate transactions, liquor licensing, and regulatory compliance, with additional focus on wage and hour matters affecting the hospitality industry.

Mitch works with emerging and established brands to develop franchise disclosure documents, navigate compliance with federal and state disclosure requirements, and draft agreements in accordance with evolving regulations. For example, Mitch applied his developing expertise in state data privacy regulation to lead the firm’s initiative to integrate data-privacy compliance provisions across client franchise agreements, reviewing and distilling new state statutes into actionable contract language. This work ensures that FSBR’s clients are prepared for an ever-developing regulatory landscape.

Mitch is also well-versed in providing trademark clearance, registration, and enforcement support to protect clients’ brand identities, and advises on complex commercial contracts, licensing, and service agreements.

In litigation and regulatory matters, Mitch has defended clients against Department of Labor wage and hour investigations, guiding restaurants through inquiries relating to tipping practices and recordkeeping. He also played a key role in securing victory for leading national beverage companies, where the court granted summary judgment on a novel issue applying key provisions of Michigan’s Liquor Control Code.

Across his practice, Mitch’s approach is research-driven and pragmatic. He excels at mastering nuanced legal issues quickly, translating complexity into efficient, business-minded solutions. His style emphasizes clear communication, thorough preparation, and a practical understanding of how legal strategy intersects with a client’s growth objectives.

Beyond client work, Mitch contributes regularly to the profession through writing and speaking. He has authored articles for The Franchise Lawyer and The Journal of Indemnity & Insurance Law and co-authored a white paper presented at the annual American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. He has also presented on topics ranging from the Record Marketable Title Act to franchise disclosure best practices. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Chair’s Award for Substantial Written Work or Presentation at the 2022 ABA Forum on Franchising.

Outside the office, Mitch enjoys traveling, exploring Michigan’s many renowned craft breweries, cheering on the Detroit Lions, and spending time with family on Houghton Lake.

EXPERIENCE

• Secured summary judgment in favor of multiple national beverage companies in litigation under Michigan’s Liquor Control Code.
• Drafted franchise disclosure documents and agreements for emerging restaurant and hospitality brands, including navigating complex compliance challenges for national systems.
• Led firmwide updates to franchise agreement forms to incorporate requirements from newly enacted state data privacy statutes, ensuring compliance for franchisors nationwide.
• Defended employers in Department of Labor wage and hour investigations, including matters involving tipping practices and recordkeeping requirements.
• Regularly advises on trademark clearance and registration, prepares and prosecutes applications with the USPTO, and manages renewals and enforcement.
• Drafts and negotiates business contracts, license agreements, and service agreements, with experience in software licensing and brand-protection provisions.
• Conducts research and prepares opinion letters and memoranda for employers on FLSA compliance, including wage, hour, and tip-pooling rules.

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.