Inactive Member

William Graefe Other

Franchise, Intellectual Property and Corporate/Transactional

Bill’s practice focuses on franchise transactional work both in the United States and numerous international fronts. At the international level, Bill has represented various franchisors located in the United States in connection with expanding their respective brands in various foreign jurisdictions through master franchise, direct franchising and other international licensing arrangements. At the same time, Bill has experience in: (i) assisting foreign franchisor brands that wish to bring their brands to the United States, either through a master franchise relationship or through the direct offer and sale of franchises here in the United States via a compliant Franchise Disclosure Document; and (ii) negotiating international agreements with third-party franchisors on behalf of prospective master franchisees and/or multi-unit owners that wish to serve as a steward of that franchisor’s brand in a given jurisdiction (whether that is here in the United State or abroad). Bill also manages the firm’s robust trademark practice, which includes trademark registration, prosecution, litigation (in both federal courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board) and portfolio management. As part of this practice, Bill has counseled franchisors and other clients in connection with various other intellectual property matters (including the licensing of copyrights and software). Lastly, Bill counsels franchisors on various matters at the domestic level, including franchise disclosure and registration laws and regulatory compliance.