Hospitality, Franchising and Distribution

• STR, Inc. - Sale
• Unanimous Jury Defense Verdict in Premises Liability Trial - Product Liability Litigation

• Assisted due diligence team in reviewing and summarizing terms of hundreds of franchise agreements for national hotel chain under intense deadlines.

• Obtained summary judgment for a franchisor in a vicarious liability case the morning of trial, successfully avoiding a $4.5 million verdict which was awarded against the co-defendants.

• Represented restaurant franchisee in $60 million sale of over 60 restaurants to strategic buyer.

• Served as lead construction counsel for a turnkey developer of luxury hotel project in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in connection with construction and design contract negotiation and construction arbitration.

• Represented an owner in a design-build project for the redevelopment of a former United States courthouse into a luxury hotel in Tampa, Florida.

• Regularly prepare franchise disclosure documents and franchise agreements and assist clients with growing their businesses through franchising.

• Served as real estate counsel for site acquisition and development in Louisiana for a national fast-food franchisee.

• Favorable resolution in defense of publicly-traded national restaurant chain in collective action under federal Fair Labor Standards Act with putative class of over 550 members.

• Obtained a favorable settlement in a suit alleging inadequate security which led to customer's stabbing and ultimate death at major restaurant chain.

• Obtained summary judgment victory in federal court on behalf of national restaurant franchisor over allegations of race discrimination under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 (Civil Rights Act of 1866) and for defamation under Florida law.

• Obtained an injunction and ultimately a judgment on behalf of a nationwide franchisor against a franchisee for breach of franchise agreements and wrongful possession of inventory.

• Obtained a complete defense verdict in two-week, $10 million, multi-plaintiff trial alleging Title VII violations against a restaurant chain.

• Successfully defended and obtained full summary judgment on behalf of national restaurant client in a hotly contested case where plaintiffs claimed sexual harassment, retaliation, and gender discrimination and sought over $400,000 in damages and reinstatement.

• Key member of trial team that settled an eminent domain matter on behalf of a fast food restaurant corporation involving a metro Atlanta property. The GDOT condemned the principal access to the site thus causing substantial damage to the value of the property. GDOT paid $2.3 million pursuant to the consent judgment obtained to conclude the settlement.

• Obtained summary judgment for national restaurant operator in a lawsuit asserting claims of sexual harassment.

• Defended a federal court lawsuit filed in which restaurant managers brought FLSA claims to recover unpaid overtime on the grounds that they were misclassified as executive exempt due to the employer’s policy of docking their pay for cash shortages and damaged or missing property. The case was conditionally certified and settled after years of litigation.

• Defended national restaurant chain against claims filed by restaurant managers to recover unpaid overtime alleging that they were misclassified as exempt due to the employer’s policy of docking their pay for cash shortages and damaged or missing property.  The case was conditionally certified and settled after years of litigation.

• Successfully defended casino and won summary judgment motion on all claims filed by plaintiff, a former blackjack dealer who alleged discrimination based on disability and failure to accommodate such disability in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plaintiff further asserted claims for retaliation and interference with her rights guaranteed under the Family Medical Leave Act.

• Represented a large independent franchisee in connection with multiple asset purchase and sale transactions involving various brands of franchise restaurants. (Acquisitions and divestures valued between $250,000 – $750,000 each).

Follow the links below to download past issues of the Hospitalitas newsletter.

• "Executive Order Increases Hourly Minimum Wage For Federal Contractors" (April 2021)
• "NIST Publishes Guidelines Aimed at Enhancing Hotel Property Management System Security" (April 2021)
• "SBA Releases Application and Guidelines for $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund" (April 2021)
• "Florida's Broad New COVID-19 Liability Protections" (April 2021)
• "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Significant PPP Changes Benefit Nonprofits and Internet Publishing Organizations" (March 12, 2021)
• "Department of Labor's Newly Proposed Joint Employer Rule Short on Details at the Moment, But Not Short on Potential Impact on Businesses and Franchisors " (March 2021)
• "PPP: SBA Issues Guidance on Changes in Ownership and Full Forgiveness Eased for Smaller Loans," republished in Banking Exchange (October 16, 2020)
• "Paycheck Protection Program Extended; SBA Releases Borrower Data," republished in Banking Exchange (July 7, 2020)
• "Booking.com? Booking.yeah! Supreme Court Weighs In On Trademark Protection for Generic Terms Combined with Generic Top-Level Domains" (July 2020)
• "COVID-19: Much-Needed Liability Relief for Louisiana's Restaurant Industry" (June 17, 2020)
• "File Your Patents & Trademarks NOW!," republished in IPWatchdog® (May 13, 2020)
• "Supreme Court Clears an Obstacle to Profit Awards for Trademark Owners, But Doesn't Completely Flush "Willfulness"," republished in IAM (May 2020)
• "Chipotle's Record $25 Million Fine Sends Tough Message as the Restaurant Industry Begins Reopening," republished May 6, 2020 in General Counsel News (April 30, 2020)
• "Coronavirus: Force Majeure and Managing Your Business Risk, Part 3" (April 22, 2020)
• "Franchise Disclosure Documents and COVID-19 Impact," republished May 2020 in Franchising USA (April 14, 2020)
• "Coronavirus: Force Majeure and Managing Your Business Risk, Part 2" (April 9, 2020)
• "Can the Government Commandeer My Hotel to Fight COVID-19?," republished in Hotel Management (April 2, 2020)
• "Coronavirus: Force Majeure and Managing Your Business Risk, Part 1" (March 25, 2020)
• "Coronavirus: Resources Materials Available for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans" (March 24, 2020)
• "Defense Production Act is Invoked by President Trump" (March 19, 2020)
• "Coronavirus: Small Business Administration to Make Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Response to Pandemic" (March 13, 2020)
• "The Coronavirus Challenge: What Hospitality Businesses Should Consider Doing Now," republished April 7, 2020 in Hotel Business (March 13, 2020)
• "Hotel Brand Sex-Trafficking Litigation Update: Consolidation Denied" (February 2020)
• "Privacy & Cybersecurity Due Diligence – No Longer Optional: Company Fined $124 Million for Pre-Merger Compromise" (July 2019)
• "NLRB Restores Employer-Friendly Independent Contractor Standard," Hospitalitas Newsletter (April 2019)
• "CBD Developments in the Food and Beverage Industry," Hospitalitas Newsletter (April 2019)
• "Cruise Industry Opportunities – Land and Sea," Hospitalitas Newsletter (April 2019)
• "How Franchisors Can Benefit from the Qualified Business Income Deduction," (February 2019); republished in Westlaw Journal Bank & Lender Liability (March 2019)
• "The Perfect Financial Storm Hits Franchising" (December 2018)
• "Serving Up Disruption: The New Age of Political Protests in Restaurants and Other Public Places" (December 2018)
• "After the Midterm Elections: Next Steps in Congress in 2019" (December 2018)
• "Avoiding Pitfalls for Private Equity Investors in Franchisors: Structure Counts" (September 2018)
• "DOL's Final Rule on Association Health Plans Aims to Help Small Businesses and Self-Employed" (September 2018)
• "Non-Enforcement of Non-Competes: What's an Employer to Do?" (August 2018)
• "A GDPR Check-up for U.S.-Based Hospitality Businesses" (May 2018)
• "FDA Labeling and Serving Size Rules: What Sellers of Packaged Foods Need to Know" (May 2018)
• "When a Third Party Becomes the Harasser: How the #MeToo Movement May Impact Your Workforce in the Most Unsuspecting Way" (April 2018)
• "NLRB Invalidates Hy-Brand and Complicates Joint Employer Issues for the Hospitality Industry" (April 2018)
• "NLRB Overrules 2016 Browning-Ferris Decision on Joint Employer Liability" (February 2018)
• "Keeping Your Social Media Contests Compliant" (February 2018)
• "Failure to Follow Franchising Disclosure Laws Isn't Necessarily Unfair Trade Practice" (February 2018)
• "Ten Simple Steps to Avoid Employment Lawsuits" (February 2018)
• "District Court Protects Franchisor Against Anti-Contractual Competition in Frye" (June 2017)
• "Federal Court Rules Against Yum! Brands in Third-Party Franchise Sale Case – What Franchisors Need to Know" (June 2017)
• "The Road to Confirming a Secretary of Labor" (June 2017)
• "Second Circuit "Drives" Forward Classification of Workers as Independent Contractors" (June 2017)
• "Is Andrew Puzder the Knight in Shining Armor for the Hospitality Industry?" (January 2017)
• "Regulation A+: A Capital-Rising Method that is Ready for Franchising" (January 2017)
• "The (Sometimes Unethical) Reality of Competition and Your Ammo to Combat a Rival's False Advertising" (January 2017)
• "SBA Changes the Game" (January 2017)
• "Value-Based Pricing Options for Franchise Clients" (January 2017)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Summer 2016" (June 27, 2016)
• "Controversial Overtime Rule Comes in For a Landing" (June 21, 2016)
• "What You Need to Know About Hospitality REITs" (June 21, 2016)
• "The Legal Implications of Restaurant-Designed House Brand Craft Beers" (June 2016)
• "A No-Win Situation: The Supreme Court Declines To Resolve CAFA Circuit Split" (February 2016)
• "NLRB: Joint Liability Inquiry Can Precede Finding on Merits of Underlying Unfair Labor Practice Charge" (February 17, 2016)
• "Franchisor Protected from Unfair Competition, Not All Competition" (February 17, 2016)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Winter 2016" (February 17, 2016)
• "Lessons Learned from LabMD's Successful Challenge to the FTC's Cyber Authority and Wyndham's Monumental Settlement with the FTC" (January 2016)
• "Alabama Passes New (and More Restrictive) Non-Compete Statute" (September 10, 2015)
• "California Dreams Become Reality for Franchisees; Amended Franchise Relationship Law Passes" (September 10, 2015)
• "Business Succession Planning: The time is now" (September 2015)
• "Arkansas Loves Home Cookin'" (September 10, 2015)
• "Hospitality Industry Targeted in Proposed White Collar Overtime Regulations" (September 10, 2015)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Summer 2015" (September 10, 2015)
• "The New Cuba Reality and Your Intellectual Property" (July 2015)
• "NLRB's Quickie Election Rule Takes Effect" (May 5, 2015)
• "Georgia Supreme Court to Franchisees: Read Your Contracts!" (May 5, 2015)
• "Franchisees Flatline in Case Against Doctors Express" (May 5, 2015)
• "Use of Customer Survey Data Upheld in Hotel Franchise Terminations" (May 5, 2015)
• "Class Action Attempt to Void Jimmy John's Non-Competes Goes Stale" (May 5, 2015)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Spring 2015" (May 5, 2015)
• "The Next Hot Trend in Economic Development: Craft Beer" (May 5, 2015)
• "When Failure is Not An Option...Fire" (December 18, 2014)
• "Marriott Fined $600,000 For Wi-Fi Jamming" (December 18, 2014)
• "Franchisor Liability for Franchisee Employment Decisions" (December 2014)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Winter 2014" (December 18, 2014)
• "NLRB General Counsel Office: McDonald's, USA, LLC and Its Franchisees Are Joint Employers" (July 2014)
• "Four Crisis Management Lessons From the Disappearance of Flight MH370" (May 1, 2014)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Spring 2014" (May 1, 2014)
• "Hilton Avoids Class Certification Over Timeshare Telemarketing" (May 1, 2014)
• "Wait, You're Not Housekeeping!" (May 1, 2014)
• "Excessive Celebration - Penalty Declined" (May 1, 2014)
• "Your Grandmother Doesn't Work for Free: Volunteer and Intern Positions Under Closer Scrutiny" (May 1, 2014)
• "Doing Business in Florida—A Not-So-Personal Endeavor" (October 14, 2013)
• "Is Your ADR Clause Enforceable?" (October 14, 2013)
• "Six Lessons for Franchisors on Avoiding Liability Under Title VII" (October 14, 2013)
• "Marriott to Face Trial in Maryland Over Terrorist Bombing in Pakistan" (October 14, 2013)
• "Franchisors Must Act Quickly to Obtain Injunctive Relief on Non-Competition Covenants" (October 14, 2013)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Fall 2013" (October 14, 2013)
• "FTC Ruling Not So Wonderful For POM or The First Amendment" (June 10, 2013)
• "When You Check Out, Don't Forget the Shampoo:" (June 10, 2013)
• "IFA Legal Symposium Report" (June 10, 2013)
• "Multiple Dangers of Meth Labs in Hotels" (June 10, 2013)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - Spring 2013" (June 10, 2013)
• "NLRB Hooks Alaska Hotel Anti-Union Efforts" (November 5, 2012)
• "Would You Bet Your Business on Untrained Employees?" (November 5, 2012)
• "KFC Franchise Guarantors Not Subject to Mint Julep Jurisdiction" (November 5, 2012)
• "Hilton Not Liable to Guests for Terrorist Attack in Egypt" (November 5, 2012)
• "'Til Death Do Us Part: Not So Fast!" (November 5, 2012)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2012, Issue 3" (November 5, 2012)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2012, Issue 2" (August 8, 2012)
• "Hershey's Protects Candy Bar Design" (August 2012)
• "Franchisee’s Disregard of LLC Formalities Creates Exposure for LLC Debts," (August 6, 2012)
• "The Line Brightens Between Franchisors and Franchisees Under the FLSA" (August 6, 2012)
• "Franchisor Escapes Franchisee Food Fight" (August 6, 2012)
• "Restaurant Chain Founder Chooses FLSA Exposure Over Franchise Compliance" (August 6, 2012)
• "FTC Modifies Franchise Rule" (August 6, 2012)
• "Join the Crowd – Is Franchising Uniquely Suited for Crowdfunding?" (August 6, 2012)
• "Reducing the Risk of Liability for Someone Else's Wrongs: A Victory for Landowners in Georgia" (August 6, 2012)
• "Gambler Rolls Dice In Room Service Case, House Wins" (August 6, 2012)
• "Puppies Too Frisky for ADA Shelter" (February 28, 2012)
• "New IRS Regulations On Repair Expenditures Impact Hospitality Industry" (February 28, 2012)
• "Broken Glass, Cut Tendon, No Franchisor Liability: Standards Versus Control Over Day-to-Day Operations" (February 28, 2012)
• "Franchisees Must Carefully Consider Renewal Provisions" (February 28, 2012)
• "Franchisor's Addendum Enhances Franchisee's Right to Assign Store Lease" (February 28, 2012)
• "Franchisee Scores with Florida Franchise Act Claim Against Hockey School Franchisor" (February 28, 2012)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2012, Issue 1" (February 2012)
• "The New Tag Team – Antitrust and FCPA" (December 8, 2011)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2011, Issue 5" (December 8, 2011)
• "Fighting Fire with Fire: Federal Court Orders Cancellation of Firehouse Subs’ Trademark after Jury Finds Fraud on the PTO" (December 8, 2011)
• "Hardee’s Successfully Defends Market Contraction Claims After Franchisee Blames “Lewd” Advertisements" (December 8, 2011)
• "Are Shuttle Drivers Franchisees or Employees? Ninth Circuit Wants Lower Court to Decide" (December 8, 2011)
• "Officer of Franchisor Held Liable as an “Employer” Under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act" (December 8, 2011)
• "Spotlight on SALT: Supreme Court of the United States will not Review the KFC Corp. Decision — Ramifications for Franchisors" (October 2011)
• "NLRB Decision Potentially Impacts Hospitality and Other Service Businesses" (September 19, 2011)
• "Connecticut Continues Crack Down on Call-Arounds" (September 19, 2011)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2011, Issue 4" (September 19, 2011)
• "IRS Auditing Update: Agents Now Want Full Data Copies of QuickBooks" (September 19, 2011)
• "Recorded Video from the Webinar: Do You Understand the I-129 Part 6 Export License Requirements? What You Need to Know" (July 22, 2011)
• "YOURTRADEMARKHERE.XXX: How Your Trademark Could Become Associated With the Adult Entertainment Industry" (July 1, 2011)
• "Summary Judgment Award for Attorneys’ Fees Against the EEOC" (July 1, 2011)
• "Loyalty Reward Programs Raise a Host of Questions under State Unclaimed Property Laws" (July 1, 2011)
• "Application of the Tip Credit and Potential Retaliation Implications" (July 1, 2011)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2011, Issue 3" (July 1, 2011)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2011, Issue 2" (April 11, 2011)
• "Getting Maximum Value for Franchisee and Franchisor During Condemnation Proceedings" (April 11, 2011)
• "KFC Rules the Roost but Franchisees Govern the Coop" (April 11, 2011)
• "Labor and Employment Issues in Special Servicer and Other Third-Party Management Agreements" (April 11, 2011)
• "Hunter Investment Conference Report" (April 11, 2011)
• "New CPSC Crib Standards Will Affect Places of Public Accommodation" (January 6, 2011)
• "The Debut of LEED for Retail and LEED for Volume" (January 2011)
• "Revived Threat Bites Hotels" (January 6, 2011)
• "FDA Mulls Enforcement Strategy for National Menu Labeling" (January 6, 2011)
• "Could Internet Advertising Drag a Texas Franchisee into a Pennsylvania Court?" (January 6, 2011)
• "Oregon Affirms Commitment to Franchisee as Employee Ruling" (January 6, 2011)
• "Hospitalitas Newsletter - 2011, Issue 1" (January 6, 2011)
• "Arbitration: The Trial with No Appeal?" (September 20, 2010)
• "Body “Art” and “Piercing” Jewelry – Problematic for Employers in the Hospitality Industry?" (September 20, 2010)
• "Overlapping Territories Don’t Violate Territorial Exclusivity" (September 20, 2010)
• "Tough Locations Produce Complex Litigation" (September 20, 2010)
• "Oh Canada! Developing Patchwork of Canadian Franchise Regulations Not Uniform" (September 20, 2010)
• "Having It the ADA Way at Burger King — Getting and Staying Compliant After a Class Action Lawsuit" (September 20, 2010)
• "The New Wave of Cyber-Crime Facing Retailers" (September 2010)
• "Department of Labor Readies to Target Hospitality Industry Beginning in October" (August 2010)
• "Miniature Horses Welcome: DOJ Enacts Revised ADA Regulations Implementing Title II and Title III" (August 2010)
• "Spotlight on Franchising: Expanded Information Reporting Requirements Affect Franchise Fees and Other Payments" (August 2010)
• "Halt to ‘call-arounds’ puts La Quinta in spotlight" (May 27, 2010)
• "Greening Your Existing Hotel" (April 14, 2010)
• "Congress Passes Menu Labeling in Health Care Reform" (April 2010)
• "No More Drive-Bys — 15 Ways to Get and Stay ADA Compliant" (April 14, 2010)
• "Quiznos Settlement Sparks Franchisee Focus on Supply Chain Issues" (April 14, 2010)
• "Purchasing Internet Keywords – Buyer Beware" (April 14, 2010)
• "High Court Solidifies Rights of Franchisors under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act" (April 14, 2010)
• "Crimes on Your Properties Have Multiple Victims: The Affected Patron, Your Future Patrons and Your Business" (January 06, 2010)
• ""Do You Deliver?" – Is Your Equity on the Delivery Menu?" (January 06, 2010)
• "FDA Amends Food Code" (January 6, 2010)
• "Gift Card Management — When Income Tax and State Unclaimed Property Laws Converge" (January 06, 2010)
• "Remember That Post You Wrote About Me on MySpace? You're Fired." (January 2010)
• "Spotlight on North Carolina: Penalty Waivers Possible for Certain Corporate Income and Franchise Tax Issues; Amazon Law Enacted" (August 14, 2009)
• "Franchise Agreements in Bankruptcy: Fiasco or Fortuity" (August 1, 2008)
• "Customer Service or Union Organizing – NLRB Sets Hotel Priorities" (August 1, 2008)
• "Department of Labor Issues Proposed FMLA Regulations" (August 1, 2008)
• "Negotiating Lease Terms with the Bottom Line in Mind" (April 16, 2008)
• "When is a Release a Release? Signed releases of all claims aren’t always enforceable" (April 16, 2008)
• "FTC Announces New Thresholds for Pre-Merger Filing" (April 16, 2008)
• "Convention Reports" (April 16, 2008)
• "Yet Another Government Form..." (April 16, 2008)

• "Managing There & Back Again - Managing Workplace Change," Georgia Intellectual Property Alliance and IP3, Virtual Programming Series (May 2020)
• "Managing Money and Metrics for Your Franchise" (October 2019)
• "Eighth Annual Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association Law Symposium" (July 2019)
• "Securing Your Business: How to Assess and Manage Risk from Security Incidents" (May 2019)
• "2019 DRI Retail and Hospitality Seminar" (May 2019)
• "If I'd Only Known Then… Lessons Learned in Starting a Franchise" (January 2019)
• "Attracting and Retaining Talent in a Tight Labor Market," Franchise Business Network South Summer 2018 Quarterly Meeting (July 2018)
• "Seventh Annual Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association Law Symposium" (July 2018)
• "DRI Retail and Hospitality Litigation Seminar" (May 2018)
• "Advancing in a Digital Marketplace" (April 2018)
• "Historic Tax Law and SBA Lending Changes Affecting Your Business" (January 2018)
• "Fall 2017 FBN: Strategic Use of Franchisee Surveys" (October 2017)
• "Sixth Annual Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association Law Symposium" (July 2017)
• "New Financial Guidelines for Franchisors" (July 2017)
• "Managing Change in Your Franchise System – Promoting Evolution Without Revolution" (April 2017)
• "Growing Your Business in 2017" (February 2017)
• "Cyber Threats to Your Business" (October 2016)
• "Enterprise Financing – Beyond Single Store Funding" (August 2016)
• "Spring 2016 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (April 2016)
• "Winter 2016 FBN: The HERO Effect" (February 2016)
• "Fall 2015 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (October 2015)
• "Summer 2015 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (July 2015)
• "Retail and Hospitality Litigation and Claims Management Seminar" (May 2015)
• "Spring 2015 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (April 2015)
• "Trend Smarts: Profiting From Big Data and Other Trends in Your Business" (January 2015)
• "Fall 2014 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (November 2014)
• "Summer 2014 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (July 2014)
• "Spring 2014 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (April 2014)
• "The Next Stage of Growth: Are You and Your Business Ready?" (January 2014)
• "Fall 2013 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (October 2013)
• "Summer 2013 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (July 2013)
• "Spring 2013 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (April 2013)
• "What Happens Next? What To Expect in the Next New Economy" (January 2013)
• "Fall 2012 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (October 2012)
• "Summer 2012 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (July 2012)
• "Spring 2012 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (April 2012)
• "Winter 2012 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (January 2012)
• "Fall 2011 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (October 2011)
• "ABA's 34th Annual Forum on Franchising" (October 2011)
• "Successful Negotiation of Distribution Agreements" (July 2011)
• "Summer 2011 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (July 2011)
• "FRAN-GUARD Franchise Sales Management and Compliance Training Course (Nashville)" (April 2011)
• "Spring 2011 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (April 2011)
• "Hear Joel Buckberg present at the IFA's 51st Annual Convention" (February 2011)
• "Winter 2011 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (January 2011)
• "Fall 2010 Franchise Business Network Meeting" (October 2010)
• "Winter FBN Event" (January 2010)
• "Winter FBN Event: Taste of Franchising" (January 2010)
• "ABA Forum on Franchising's 32nd Annual Meeting" (October 2009)
• "Quarterly Franchise Business Network Videoconference" (July 2009)

• Commercial Leases and Takings – How to Leverage Your Rights in Eminent Domain Cases (February 2021)
• Ninth Annual Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association Law Symposium (July 2020)
• Managing Franchise Evolution: From Financial Reporting to Safe Environments For Customers and Employees (June 2020)
• COVID-19 and the Hospitality Industry: Key Restructuring Issues for Hotels and Restaurants (April 2020)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Your Business Should Do Right Now (March 2020)
• Privacy, Cybersecurity, and the CCPA: What Does it Mean for Your Franchise? (March 2020)

• Sara M. Turner Elected as a National Director of DRI (November 10, 2020)
• 23 Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in 2020 Who's Who Legal (October 8, 2020)
• Baker Donelson's Joel Buckberg Named Among Franchise Times' Legal Eagles (May 26, 2020)
• Kent A. Lambert Named Managing Shareholder of Baker Donelson's New Orleans and Mandeville Offices (April 1, 2020)
• Noah Kressler Recognized in 2019 Silicon Bayou 100 (February 3, 2020)
• Two Baker Donelson Attorneys Named Among American Bar Association Section of Litigation's "100 Women Who Inspire Us" (December 2, 2019)
• Baker Donelson Represents STR in $450 Million Deal to Be Acquired by CoStar Group, Inc. (October 3, 2019)
• Noah Kressler of Baker Donelson Appointed to New Orleans Business Alliance Board of Directors (September 25, 2019)
• Baker Donelson Attorneys Elected Fellows of American Bar Foundation (September 3, 2019)
• John McJunkin Named Managing Shareholder of Baker Donelson's Washington, D.C. Office (July 1, 2019)
• Baker Donelson's Joel Buckberg Named Among Franchise Times' Legal Eagles (April 4, 2019)
• Sara M. Turner Appointed Chair of DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee (December 6, 2018)
• Sara M. Turner Re-Appointed Vice Chair of DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee (October 12, 2017)
• Nancy Scott Degan Elected to American Law Institute (August 14, 2017)
• Amy Elder Appointed to International Association of Gaming Advisors Leadership Role (June 27, 2017)
• Baker Donelson's Charles K. Grant Recognized with Napier-Looby Bar Foundation's Trailblazer Award (March 2, 2017)
• Baker Donelson's Hospitality Team Leaders Recognized for Client Service (February 28, 2017)
• Sara M. Turner Appointed Vice Chair of DRI Committee (December 20, 2016)
• Nancy Scott Degan Named Managing Shareholder of Baker Donelson's New Orleans and Mandeville Offices (April 5, 2016)
• Baker Donelson's Joel Buckberg Inducted into Franchise Times' Legal Eagles Hall of Fame (April 4, 2016)
• D. Keith Andress, Richard G. Cowart and Kristine L. Roberts Named to Baker Donelson's Board of Directors (January 14, 2016)
• Joel R. Buckberg Named Leader of Baker Donelson's Commercial Transactions and Business Counseling Group (December 16, 2015)
• Amy Elder Elected to Board of Trustees of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (December 4, 2015)
• Sara M. Turner Named Co-Chair of Baker Donelson Franchise and Hospitality Team (September 25, 2015)
• Christopher M. Caputo Appointed Local Representative of American Chamber of Commerce in Italy Throughout the Southeast (July 13, 2015)
• Baker Donelson Shareholder Matt Sweeney Named Chairman of The National Judicial College Board of Trustees (June 11, 2015)
• Baker Donelson's Joel Buckberg Named Among Franchise Times' Legal Eagles (April 7, 2015)
• Linda S. Finley, Charles K. Grant and Kristine L. Roberts Named to Baker Donelson's Board of Directors (March 25, 2015)
• Jennifer P. Keller Elected President and COO of Baker Donelson (January 20, 2015)
• Nancy Scott Degan Assumes Role of Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation (August 12, 2014)
• Matt Sweeney Named Chair-Elect of The National Judicial College Board of Trustees (July 17, 2014)
• Baker Donelson Announces Thirteen Newly Elected Shareholders Firm-Wide (April 14, 2014)
• Baker Donelson's Joel R. Buckberg Named Among Franchise Times' Legal Eagles (April 8, 2014)
• Baker Donelson's Charles K. Grant Begins Term as President of Nashville Bar Association (February 18, 2014)
• Baker Donelson's Joel Buckberg Named Among Franchise Times' Legal Eagles (April 5, 2013)
• Charles K. Grant Recognized with Public Service Award (February 15, 2013)
• Charles K. Grant Elected as 2014 President of Nashville Bar Association (December 18, 2012)
• Baker Donelson's Jon F. "Chip" Leyens Jr. Appointed to ABA Leadership Roles (October 22, 2012)
• Joel R. Buckberg Named to International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers 2012 (October 18, 2012)
• Baker Donelson Adds Two Shareholders in Orlando (April 25, 2012)
• Joel Buckberg Earns 6th Consecutive Ranking Among Franchise Times' Legal Eagles (April 2, 2012)
• Joel R. Buckberg Named to International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers 2011 (October 12, 2011)
• Baker Donelson's Buckberg Named Among Franchise Times' Legal Eagles (April 4, 2011)
• Baker Donelson Attorney Named Among Franchise Times Legal Eagles (April 3, 2007)
• Baker Donelson Attorney to Head International Franchise Association Compliance Program (January 12, 2007)

• Kent Lambert Comments on Returning to the Office After a Challenging Year in New Orleans CityBusiness (April 2, 2021)
• Dena Sokolow Discusses FMLA and COBRA Related to the Pandemic in U.S. News & World Report (March 11, 2021)
• Dena Sokolow Explains in SHRM How FFCRA's Emergency Paid Sick Leave May Overlap with FMLA (February 19, 2021)
• "Volunteer Superman" Ivy Cadle Highlighted as Daily Point of Light Award Honoree (February 8, 2021)
• Dena Sokolow Comments in SHRM on Potential for Employees to Be Granted Additional Paid Leave Time Under American Rescue Plan (February 3, 2021)
• Sara Turner Profiled Among Birmingham Business Journal's 2020 Women to Watch Honorees (December 11, 2020)
• Chip Leyens Comments in CityBusiness on Commercial Real Estate Issues During Pandemic (June 30, 2020)
• Kent Lambert Discusses Best Practices for Avoiding Health, Legal Risks When Reopening a Business in New Orleans CityBusiness (April 23, 2020)
• Chris Sloan Talks with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Regarding Importance of Communicating with Clients During Coronavirus Crisis (March 23, 2020)
• Hamilton County Herald Highlights Baker Donelson's Coronavirus Task Force (March 13, 2020)
• Sara Turner Talks with AL.com About Baker Donelson's Generous Parental Leave Policy (October 3, 2019)
• John McJunkin Featured in Daily Record Q&A (July 16, 2019)
• Zachary Busey Quoted in Gusto on DOL Proposal That Could Impact Benefits for Hourly Workers (July 12, 2019)
• Pro Bono Shareholder Samuel T. Bowman Featured in Nashville Post (July 9, 2019)
• Amy Kebert Elder Quoted in CDC Gaming Reports on Sexual Harassment in the Gaming Industry (October 9, 2018)
• Tennessee Tribune Highlights Charles Grant Being Named Board President of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (August 23, 2018)
• Charles Grant Profiled Among Nashville Business Journal's 2018 Best of the Bar (June 29, 2018)
• Dena Sokolow Comments on What to Expect from Trump's Labor Department in Human Resource Executive (May 15, 2017)
• Caldwell Collins Discusses Baker Donelson's Parental Leave Policy in Memphis Business Journal (April 7, 2017)
• Jennifer McNamara Named One of New Orleans CityBusiness's Women of the Year 2016 (December 30, 2016)
• Dena Sokolow Discusses Overtime Injunction Silver Lining with Corporate Counsel (November 23, 2016)
• Amy Elder Named Among Mississippi Business Journal's 2016 50 Leading Business Women (November 1, 2016)
• Noah Kressler Profiled in Tulane Lawyer (November 1, 2016)
• Dena Sokolow Quoted in SHRM Article on Changes in Overtime Rules (June 1, 2016)
• Dena Sokolow Quoted in Chief Executive on New Overtime Rule (May 25, 2016)
• Dena Sokolow Discusses the New Overtime Rule in Human Resource Executive (May 19, 2016)
• Nancy Degan Profiled in CityBusiness (May 18, 2016)
• Bruce Bowers and Will Somerville Quoted in Casino Journal on Casino Legalization Efforts in Alabama and Georgia (May 12, 2016)
• Biz New Orleans Features New Orleans and Mandeville Office Managing Shareholder Nancy Scott Degan (April 8, 2016)
• Joel Buckberg Profiled in Franchise Times (April 1, 2016)
• Dena Sokolow Talks with SHRM About E-Mail Curfews for Newly Nonexempt Employees (July 20, 2015)
• Nancy Degan Interviewed By Legal Talk Network at ABA 2015 Midyear Meeting (February 13, 2015)
• Nashville Lifestyles Features Chris Caputo's Italian Olive Oil Company, Trampetti (January 1, 2015)
• William Somerville Featured in Birmingham Business Journal's "2014 Who's Who in Health Care" (November 28, 2014)
• Nancy Degan Named Among 2014 "Women of the Year" by CityBusiness (November 1, 2014)
• Joel Buckberg Profiled in Law360 Dealmakers Q&A Series (September 26, 2014)
• Joel Buckberg Comments on NLRB Joint-Employer Status in Compliance Week (September 3, 2014)
• Nancy Degan Featured in ABA Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter (September 1, 2014)
• Nancy Degan Q&A with New Orleans CityBusiness (August 19, 2014)
• Charles Grant Quoted in Nashville Business Journal on Tennessee Supreme Court Election (August 5, 2014)
• Charles Grant Talks with Nashville Business Journal About Battle Over Tennessee's Supreme Court (July 30, 2014)
• Charles Grant Discusses Judicial Elections in Nashville Scene (April 3, 2014)
• Ben Janke Profiled in CityBusiness "Ones to Watch: Law Firms" (February 20, 2014)
• Charles Grant Highlighted in Profiles in Diversity Journal (February 4, 2014)
• Charles Grant Profiled in Nashville Business Journal (December 17, 2013)
• William Somerville Highlighted in Birmingham Business Journal's "2013 Who's Who in Health Care" (November 29, 2013)
• David Gevertz Explains How Employers Can Prepare Themselves for EEOC's Shift Toward "Quality Over Quantity" Lawsuits (October 31, 2012)
• Baker Donelson's Franchise Law Practice Ranked Second in the Nation by Best Lawyers in America (August 2, 2010)