Franchise lawyers across Canada
Franchising, like most business opportunities, comes with a collection of legal responsibilities for all sides of the partnership. There are documents to review, agreements to sign, legislation to consider, and investments to protect. The franchising model has its own distinctiveness to consider as well, functioning differently than independent business ownership and coming with its own quirks. Thankfully, there are lawyers that specialize in franchise law, bringing their expertise to the table to support their clients in the industry.
For those looking to do their due diligence and protect their franchised businesses, no matter what stage of the process they’re in, we’ve rounded up a collection of more than 30 lawyers that specialize in franchise law.
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis advises Canadian and international clients in all principal areas of law. The firm’s Franchising Group provides full-service legal support to franchisors, franchisees, multi-unit operators, licensors, distributors, and private equity firms investing in the franchising sector. Their team coordinates with experts in tax, real estate and leasing, corporate/commercial, employment, litigation and dispute resolution, and intellectual property law.
Named as a leading law firm in Canada by Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers, and The Legal 500, Aird & Berlis also gives back to the community by financially supporting charities and non-profit organizations.
Alepin Gauthier Avocats Inc
With four locations in Quebec, Alepin Gauthier is a well-established law firm comprising lawyers, notaries, and tax specialists serving both individuals and businesses. The firm provides professional strategic counsel throughout the entire franchising process and assists with the negotiation of critical agreements, including non-disclosure agreements, franchise agreements, and intellectual property protections. Beyond legal compliance, the firm’s experts actively influence the development of growth strategies for territorial franchises, master franchises, licensing agreements, and special collaborations.
Though based in Quebec, Alepin Gauthier also serve clients across Canada and beyond borders. The firm has been a member of the Quebec French Council, the Canadian Franchise Association, and the American Bar Association, Franchise Chapter.
Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang
Alexander Holburn fosters long-term, lasting relationships with their clients by providing a wide range of litigation and business law services throughout Canada. The lawyers at Alexander Holburn are experienced in franchise law and represent their clients on a variety of franchise and employment agreements. This firm’s lawyers offer franchisors advice on initial structuring or expansion of a franchise system, day-to-day operations and litigation, and advocacy. They also provide knowledge and direction on franchise disputes, purchasing and/or selling a franchise, and real estate leasing.
This firm is for local and international franchisors and experienced Canadian franchisees, with a more than fifty year history of operating in franchise law.
Beard Winter LLP
Beard Winter LLP provides advice to both emerging and internationally established franchise systems. They also service all franchisees, including multiple unit holders and area franchisees. By working closely with enforcement and litigation lawyers, Beard Winter helps resolve franchising and licensing issues relating to intellectual property matters, commercial leasing, financing of franchising systems, and franchise agreements.
Since 1964, Beard Winter LLP has maintained its impeccable commitment to providing their clients with invaluable advice, and has developed relationships with international lawyers and law firms to strengthen their legal and commercial knowledge and better help their clients. Their knowledge on legal and commercial law is one of the reasons why Beard Winter is renowned for franchise law, insurance defence, commercial litigation, estate, and family law.
Blaney McMurtry LLP
Blaney McMurtry LLP was born in the heart of Toronto’s financial district and has been dealing with complex matters in the GTA community for the past 70 years.
Offering a broad range of services to both privately owned businesses and individuals, Blaney McMurtry strives to deliver practical legal services, with over 125 lawyers available to help. The firm prides itself on a fun, entrepreneurial, and sincere culture, that they say is reflective of its partners: Blaney, a passionate and open-minded man, and McMurtry, a steady, caring presence with a wicked sense of humour.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
With over 800 lawyers across the country, Borden Ladner Gervais offers advice in intellectual property disputes and corporate transactional matters. This firm’s lawyers are experienced in resolving franchising issues with a business-focused approach and a comprehensive overview of the franchise business model and industry. Clientele includes all kinds of franchisors regardless of size and in some of Canada’s largest industries such as food and beverage, hospitality, and commercial services.
Borden Ladner Gervais utilizes technology and innovation to amplify their advocacy and service. The legal franchise team contribute articles to leading business and franchising publications.
Cassels Brock + Blackwell LLP
Cassels is one of Canada’s largest firms that practices and advises clients on franchise law. They also offer one of the country’s largest and most sophisticated national franchise law groups, with team members guiding local startups to some of the world’s biggest multinational brands. Cassels helps franchised brands protect trademarks, understand corporate structure and tax planning, draft franchise agreements, comply with franchise laws, and deal with litigation and dispute resolution matters. As a full-service firm, Cassels is supported by their lawyers in other areas to provide efficient support for legal services.
Cassels has been recognized by multiple publications as a leader in franchise law. Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory includes Cassels in the “Most Frequently Recommended” full-service franchise law firms and Chambers Canada lists Cassels as a “Band 1” leading firm for franchising.
Cheng Cohen
Founded in 2007, Cheng Cohen is a full-service franchise law firm, based in the U.S., that represents franchisors, advocates on behalf of the franchise model, and offers practical legal support that focuses on developing a franchise brand. Some of their core services include franchise disclosure and regulatory compliance, corporate/M&A transactions and general business counsel, litigation dispute resolution and risk management, international expansion and cross-border transactions, and brand protection and trademark registration. As a business-minded law firm, the lawyers at Cheng Cohen are equipped to provide comprehensive legal services throughout every phase of operations.
Cheng Cohen positions itself to serve as a valuable resource and partner to Canadian brands that decide to start franchising in the U.S.
Dale & Lessman LLP
Dale & Lessman is a law firm that approaches their cases with a “solutions first” mindset. They represent franchisors across all industries and sectors, as well as master franchisees, area developers, manufacturers and suppliers. They have the experience and skills to provide their clients with concise and actionable legal advice. This firm provides services ranging from drafting franchise agreements and franchise disclosure documents to trademark protection, leasing, and mergers and acquisitions.
Dale & Lessman’s franchising department and individual partners have been featured as leaders in Canadian franchise law by franchise publications such as Lexpert, Who’s Who Legal: Canada, Chambers Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada, and Franchise Times.
Dentons Canada LLP
Dentons is a multinational law firm and the only firm in Canada with a fully integrated global franchising practice. Through a coordinated international platform spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, Dentons advises franchisors at every stage of the franchise lifecycle—from market entry and expansion to system restructuring, financing, and dispute resolution.
Known for its strength in complex cross-border mandates, Dentons combines Canadian regulatory expertise with seamless global execution to help franchise systems grow, protect, and scale their brands with confidence.
Dickinson Wright LLP
Dickinson Wright is a full-service law firm with over 500 lawyers and 40 practice areas providing the highest quality of legal services and advice. With offices across North America, it’s well versed in representing franchisors, franchisees, distributors, and suppliers, including international franchises who want to introduce their operations to Canada and the U.S. To ensure that every problem is addressed and resolved, their franchise and distribution lawyers collaborate with other practice areas such as corporate finance, real estate, food and agribusiness, and many more.
It has been almost 150 years since Dickinson Wight was founded, and their dedication to client satisfaction and service continues to propel their growth. Members of the firm have been highlighted in law evaluating organizations such as Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.
Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLP
Fasken Martineau Dumoulin is a law firm that helps develop foreign franchises in Canada. They also help with succession planning, master franchise arrangements, and franchisee/franchisor disputes. Fasken provides a range of litigation services from commercial to defamation. Recognized as one of the leading litigation teams in Canada, Fasken has dedicated their team of over 150 lawyers to advising their clients on franchise law.
Fasken’s litigators have a solid history of resolving franchise disputes, including the 13-year dispute that clarified franchisor-franchisee relations in Quebec. With decades of experience representing recognizable brands, it’s no wonder numerous Fasken lawyers have been listed in the Chambers Canada 2026 Guide as exceptional individuals in their field.
Gowling WLG
Gowling is one of Canada’s largest national full-service law firms offering enterprise in franchising, licensing, distribution, and intellectual law, both domestically and internationally. This law firm provides their clients support with legal advice and in-depth knowledge about the franchising industry to ensure total client satisfaction. Chemistry between Gowling and their clients proves vital, as they claim it leads to “better results, in the right way.”
Gowling prioritizes responsibility in their culture and business operations as they value inclusivity, sustainable business practices, and a healthy workplace. With over 1,500 legal professionals around the world, Gowling has offices in multiple Canadian cities such Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver, as well as in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, West Asia, and Central Asia.
Hodgson Russ LLP
Though Hodgson Russ is a U.S. law firm, it has offices in Canada advising Canadian franchisors and franchisees with the latest news in U.S. federal and state franchising, distribution, and licensing. It is a full-service firm with over 90 other practice groups in all major areas of U.S. law.
With more than 230 attorneys and over 250 support staff, this firm is ready to help franchisees and franchisors expand their companies, resolve legal issues, and draft a range of franchise agreements.
Jones & Co. Law
Jones & Co. is a law firm with exceptional service in intellectual property, licensing, franchising, and international law. They are particularly noted for their work in China and Asia for international franchisors and technology firms. They also assist with franchise development, arranging proper documentation, and other related franchise agreements. Jones & Co. not only have experience with domestic franchise disputes but have also historically represented international franchisors.
At Jones & Co., lawyers aid in the negotiation of master franchise and area developer agreements, particularly for Mandarin-speaking clients. Since their founding, this firm has provided service for a range of franchise systems such as winemaking, video game retailers, pet care, and other several unique systems.
KMB Law
For over 45 years, Keyser Mason Ball, LLP (KMB Law) has been providing clients with exceptional legal services. This firm advises franchisors and franchisees in the legalities of franchising, including advice related to franchise agreements, disclosure documents, transactional matters, and strategic decisions. Whether their clients are established sophisticated brands or emerging systems, franchise lawyers at KMB Law assist them by providing useful business advice in a proactive and responsive manner.
As a full-service business law firm, KMB Law collaborates with other practice areas to ensure reliable and informative service. They also offer legal service for a wide variety of franchising related actions such as franchise dispute resolution, cross border and international franchising, franchise association services, franchise litigation, intellectual property, leasing and real estate concerns, licensing and distribution, industry expertise, and more.
Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon LLP
Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon LLP (LRMM) is one the largest independent law firms in Quebec. They have a dedicated team specialized in franchising, licensing, and distribution matters. The firm also has relevant experience and expertise in related areas of business law, including intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, labour and employment, tax, financing, real estate, civil and commercial litigation, and bankruptcy and restructuring. LRMM provides a full-service experience in the franchise space, regularly assisting clients of all sizes, whether from local markets or with roots internationally.
The firm has over sixty years of experience in business law as well as an established international practice through its collaboration with TerraLex, a global network of legal practitioners.
Littler LLP
Littler LLP is a labour and employment law firm that’s been representing employers for more than 80 years. Experienced in local and cross-boarder labour and employment law, Littler helps both franchisors and franchisees navigate a complex business world with nuanced legal issues.
Littler has evolved to more than 38 global offices, with three in Canada including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, and engages over 1,900 lawyers lending their expertise in client service internationally. This firm aims to provide straightforward answers to even the most complicated client questions around modern labour law.
Loopstra Nixon LLP
Loopstra Nixon LLP (LN) is a full-service Canadian law firm known for its practical, business-first approach to legal advice. For more than 50 years, LN has worked alongside entrepreneurs, businesses, and individuals on matters that value judgment, experience, and responsiveness. The firm’s franchise and distribution team advises emerging and established franchisors, master franchisees, and single and multi-unit franchisees across every stage of a franchise system—from structuring and expansion to ongoing operations and dispute resolution.
Loopstra Nixon provides strategic guidance grounded in the legal and commercial realities of franchising in Canada. The LN franchise team also advises franchisors, franchisee groups, and franchisee associations on the ongoing dynamics of franchise relationships, including addressing disputes, defaults, terminations, and transitions.
Mann Lawyers LLP
Mann Lawyers is group of lawyers dedicated to providing their clients with elite legal advice and services. The full-service law firm offers a multitude of legal practices, including commercial litigation, employment, labour, human rights, estate litigation, and real estate.
Mann Lawyers also prides itself on an ability to develop unique relationships with clients, prioritizing success not only in legal practice, but also in the workplace culture. With over 25 years of experience, Mann Lawyers consistently demonstrates compassionate and thoughtful advice while simultaneously forging long-term client relationships.
McCarthy Tetrault LLP
McCarthy Tetrault is a leading law firm in Canada, advising franchisors and franchise systems with sophisticated franchise and distribution networks on both day-to-day operational matters and longer term strategic initiatives. The firm, guided by the four pillars of excellence, collaboration, inclusion, and innovation, supports clients across the full franchise lifecycle. They see systems through development and expansion, regulatory compliance, performance management, and restructuring or exit as well.
A national, multidisciplinary, and integrated team, McCarthy Tetrault offers a wide range of legal and business services. They have offices across Canada in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City, and in globally recognized markets such as New York City and London, U.K.
McInnes Cooper
McInnes Cooper was founded in Atlantic Canada more than 160 years ago and has grown to be among the 20 largest business law firms in the country. They advise franchisors on all aspects of franchise law and assist with the preparation of franchise agreements and franchise disclosure documents and with the proper execution of the franchise disclosure and contracting process. McInnes Cooper advises clients with respect to master franchise, area representative, and area development transactions, franchise-related mergers and acquisitions, franchise start-ups, and the management and resolution of franchise-related disputes.
From offices in Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, Charlottetown, and St. John’s, McInnes Cooper serves clients across Canada.
McKercher LLP
McKercher is a top-ranked law firm based in Saskatchewan offering legal advice curated to clientele needs. This law firm is built on five core values: integrity, excellence, respect, collaboration, and dedication. McKercher LLP offers a huge range of legal services, so franchisors and franchisees will have no trouble finding assistance. Their corporate and commercial law group assists with incorporation and reorganization, commercial, residential, industrial, and institutional projects, and dispute resolutions.
McKercher LLP has extensive experience in representing major clients in the franchise industry and can assist with the full spectrum of legal needs for franchises, including franchise agreement drafting and review, disclosure obligations, and franchise litigation and arbitration disputes.
McMillan LLP
McMillan is a highly regarded business law firm with clients spanning around the world. They follow industry developments and participate in industry association events which allow them to deliver concise and relative legal advice. Though McMillan’s litigation lawyers regularly represent brand-name franchisors, McMillan’s litigation lawyers are experienced in representing all kinds of franchisors and suppliers. This law firm assists with breaches of provincial franchise legislation, disclosure documents, and resisting injunctions designed to restrain terminations.
With over 700 firm members and five offices, McMillan has multiple widely acclaimed legal teams, in more than twenty-seven industries and thirty-one practice areas.
Miller Nash LLP
This U.S.-based law firm has been helping people for over a century and a half. They provide franchise and distribution legal services regarding franchise development and compliance, product distribution, dispute resolution, cross-border expansion, and related business counselling. Miller Nash offers their services to a wide range of systems, from recognizable brands to new franchisors.
Miller Nash views law as a moral imperative, which is why they offer a pro bono program that has donated thousands of hours of legal advice. Miller Nash operates off a corporate vision to prioritize “clients, people, diversity, and community.”
Miller Thomson LLP
Miller Thomson is a national business law firm providing practical, efficient, and value-driven legal advice. Miller Thomson’s Franchise & Distribution Law Group strives to assist businesses to succeed and grow in the franchising world. They provide legal support and assistance with franchise system structuring, document drafting, litigation support, Quebec-specific advice, intellectual property protection, disclosure compliance, and mergers and acquisitions.
Miller Thomson has experience in all franchise sectors including food service, retail, education, hospitality, and commercial services.
MLT Aikins
MLT Aikins is a Canadian law firm recognized for its collaborative, cross-practice approach to legal services. The firm advises both franchisors and franchisees on the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to franchising in Canada, and also assists businesses seeking to franchise or expand internationally.
Founded in 1879, MLT Aikins has amassed over 350 lawyers and nearly 500 additional team members across seven offices in Canada. The firm has also been recognized by leading legal publications and directories, including Lexpert, Chambers Global, Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers, and Benchmark Canada.
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is a business law firm with over 50 years of experience providing legal advice and assistance to franchises, showing this firm’s deep understanding of the franchise business model. The firm’s franchise group has experience with franchise agreements, international agreements, litigation/class actions, intellectual property, Quebec law, information technology and privacy, marketing and distribution, and business law expertise.
The firm has been recognized in Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business and The Legal Lexpert Directory. They have also been involved in creating national disclosure documents for use across Canada and assisted Canadian franchisors expanding into the U.S. and internationally.
Plave Koch PLC
Plave Koch is a small entrepreneurial law firm in Washington D.C. that works with many Canadian franchisors expanding their operations into the U.S. Plave Koch’s practice is dedicated to franchise law, distribution, litigation, domain names, trademarks, FTC matters, and technology. Founded in 2007 to create a small, focused firm with franchise expertise, they now represent more than 350 brands.
Dedicated to offering franchise law “with zing,” the firm characterizes its approach to franchise law as fresh and independent, and offer flexible billing, periodic “no-charge” meetings, and a roster of experienced lawyers with no internal competition.
Robins Appleby LLP
Robins Appleby has been around for over 70 years and aims to operate with a client-centric and collaborative approach. They offer a wide range of legal services such as affordable and social housing, business and transactions, employment law, and litigation and dispute resolution. This law firm’s mission is to deliver valuable legal knowledge through collaborative problem solving and dedication to helping their clients succeed.
This Toronto-based, mid-size firm aims to keep clients and the legal community on the cutting edge with publications and insights centred around the latest legal developments.
Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Sherrard Kuzz LLP is one of Canada’s leading employment and labour law firms exclusively representing employers. The firm has extensive experience acting for a range of franchise organizations in a variety of industries across Canada, including retail, hospitality, healthcare, service and transportation, and more.
Sherrard Kuzz has been recognized both nationally and internationally by Canadian Lawyer, Chambers Global, Lexpert, Best Lawyers, Lexology, Legal 500, and The Globe and Mail. They’ve also been named a 5-Star Safety Law Firm by Canadian Occupational Safety for excellence in occupational health and safety.
Sotos LLP
Recognized by Chambers Canada as a top-tier law firm in franchising, there’s no question that Sotos is well-versed in franchise law. They help regional, national, and international franchisors develop their businesses with the support of 20+ experienced legal professionals. Sotos’ comprehensive range of services spans across each sector of the franchise industry to aid in launch, exit, local growth, and global expansion, depending on the client’s unique needs.
With over forty years of experience, Sotos provides franchisors legal advice concerning franchise law, corporate, commercial, private equity, financing, litigation, trademarks, intellectual property, employment, and real estate services.
Witten LLP
Witten is a business law firm located in Alberta. It’s franchise law services include drafting franchise agreements and related documents, preparing disclosure agreements in compliance with all applicable Canadian laws and regulations, enforcing franchise agreements, overseeing leasing and subleasing matters, and addressing employment matters.
The firm has been recognized in legal-industry publications such as the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory and the Lexology Index: Franchising. Witten also has a long history of supporting the franchising community in Canada, having been one of the founding members of the Alberta Franchisor Institution, which later merged with the Canadian Franchise Association.
