Five Fox Attorneys Named by Franchise Times “Legal Eagles”
Fox Rothschild LLP congratulates John R. Gotaskie, Jr., Elizabeth D. Sigety, Craig R. Tractenberg, Eleanor Vaida Gerhards and Megan B. Center, who were featured as 2018 Legal Eagles by Franchise Times magazine. The list spotlights attorneys who have made significant strides in franchise law and were selected from nominations by their clients and peers.
More than 40 lawyers and growing, Fox’s national Franchising, Licensing & Distribution Practice is a dynamic team, well-equipped to meet the needs of franchise and distribution companies across every line of business – industrial, retail, food, entertainment, service, technology or home-based. The award-winning group of attorneys serves franchise clients in all 50 states and 22 foreign countries. Experienced and highly respected, they have helped more than 200 clients advance their businesses in the last five years.
This is the fifth consecutive year Franchise Times has named Gotaskie and Sigety to the list and the third time it has recognized Gerhards and Center. Tractenberg has been a Legal Eagle since the list’s inception 15 years ago and is a member of the its Hall of Fame.
Gotaskie, a partner with the firm, represents individuals, partnerships and companies in diverse legal matters including complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy litigation and franchising issues. He serves as editor of Fox’s Franchise Law Update blog and has recorded numerous podcasts that touch upon issues impacting franchisors and franchisees.
Gotaskie currently serves on the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Steering Committee of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Forum on Franchising and is the co-author of a chapter respecting the Assumption, Rejection and Assignment of Franchise Agreements for a Bankruptcy Handbook for Franchise Professionals to be published by the ABA later this year.
Gotaskie received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.S., cum laude, from Georgetown University.
Sigety, co-chair of Fox’s Franchising, Licensing & Distribution Practice Group and the firm’s Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Practice Group, has been a trusted adviser to clients for more than two decades. Active with the International Franchise Association (IFA), she has been recognized as a Certified Franchise Executive by the IFA and serves on the Women’s Franchise Committee of the IFA. In addition, Sigety co-founded the IFA’s Philadelphia Chapter of the Women’s Franchise Network.
Sigety received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and her B.A., cum laude, from Yale College.
A skilled international litigator, Tractenberg handles complex business disputes involving intellectual property, licenses, business torts and insolvency issues. His practice centers on developing and protecting the financial and brand equity of franchise companies. He regularly structures new franchise programs, many of which are international. In addition, Tractenberg defends and enforces franchise agreements and is a frequent writer and teacher of the subject. He is recognized in peer reviewed Chambers USA for Franchising (Nationwide), Best Lawyer as Lawyer of the Year for Franchise law 2018 (Philadelphia) and 2012 (New York), International Who’s Who in Law-Franchising and Super Lawyers (Blue Ribbon-franchising).
Tractenberg earned his J.D. from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law and his B.A.,cum laude, from La Salle University.
Gerhards, co-chair of Fox’s Franchising, Licensing & Distribution Practice Group, works with startup and established franchise clients to structure franchise programs; draft franchise disclosure documents, franchise agreements and related contracts; and counsel clients on regulatory compliance matters, including obtaining and renewing state franchise registrations. She also handles matters related to master franchising, multi-unit licensing and area-development business arrangements.
Gerhards, who was recently named among the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, is the current Chair of the IFA Philadelphia Women’s Franchise Network, Member of the ABA Forum on Franchising Program Committee and was recognized as a Certified Franchise Executive by the IFA. Gerhards also frequently writes and speaks on legal issues in the franchise industry and will be presenting at the 2018 IFA Annual Franchise Legal Symposium in Washington D.C.
Gerhards received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Duquesne University and her B.A., cum laude, from Bloomsburg University.
Center, an associate with the firm, counsels both large and small franchisors in a variety of matters, including preparation of initial, renewal and amended franchise disclosure documents (including all ancillary agreements), incorporation of franchisor entities, and maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations on registration, disclosure and potential exemption. She supports clients at every stage of the franchise relationship, including with negotiations of franchise agreements and addressing default and termination issues. Center also advises clients on the purchase of entire franchise systems.
Center writes and speaks on legal issues relating to franchising, licensing and distribution. She recently authored, “Is it Possible to Fully Insulate Yourself from Personal Liability?” for the Franchise Law Journal. She is also an active contributor to Fox’s Franchise Law Update blog and will be speaking at the 2018 IFA Franchise Expo in May on franchise agreement negotiation points.
Center received both her J.D. and her B.A. from Case Western Reserve University.