Jeff Wolf is a partner in the Firm’s Commercial Litigation and Franchise and Distribution Industry Groups. His national practice focuses on representing franchisors, manufacturers and marketers of products and services. For the past 20 years of his career Mr. Wolf has frequently handled franchise termination matters, as well as more complex franchise cases involving issues affecting the entire franchise system. He has substantial experience handling cases involving, among other issues, termination, transfers, rights of first refusal, implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, trade secrets, covenants against competition, trademark infringement, franchisee associations, and unfair competition.

In addition to franchise matters, Mr. Wolf regularly litigates and tries cases involving breach of contract, real estate, employment, product liability, and personal injury disputes. He also represents several behavioral health care companies in general legal matters and presently serves as outside general counsel to a Phoenix-based not-for-profit mental health care and substance abuse provider. 

Selected Representations

• Defending national retail services franchisor in class action alleging violations of California wage and hour statutes.
• Defending national retail services franchisor in dispute over terminated software development agreement in which the plaintiff is seeking $15 million in damages.
• Represented major credit card issuer in defense of action for aiding and abetting fraud and conversion in which the plaintiff, a publicly-traded corporation, sought over $20 million in damages. Obtained dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.
• Defended international ice cream franchisor in national class action suit arising from claims under FACTA. Obtained dismissal of lawsuit prior to client filing its initial responsive pleading.
• Represented international ice cream franchisor in several termination-related franchisee disputes involving violations of quality assurance and systems standards and unpaid royalties. Obtained preliminary injunctions to enjoin franchisees from violating post-termination covenants and the Lanham Act.
• Represent major petroleum marketer in litigation matters involving termination-related claims asserted by franchise dealers under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act.
• Represented fast food franchisor in dispute with former franchisee that abandoned its subleased restaurant premises. Obtained order of eviction against franchisee-sublessee and full recovery past due franchise royalties and rent and our client’s attorneys’ fees.
• Represented world’s largest guest lodging and real estate franchisor and its numerous subsidiaries (including Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Century 21, Coldwell Bank and ERA Realty) as southwest regional counsel in dozens of litigation matters arising from franchisee disputes, including enforcement of quality assurance and brand standards and termination-related disputes.
• Represent family-style, casual dining franchisor in cases involving ADA public access claims, FACTA claims, and franchisee disputes regarding the enforcement of quality assurance and brand standards, unpaid royalties and the violation of post-termination restrictive covenants.
• Represented employment staffing franchisor in a complex “mini-class action” arbitration proceeding involving more than 20 franchisees asserting claims in excess of $7 million.
• Represented hotel franchisor in litigation matter against a former franchisee arising from unfair competition and trademark infringement. Obtained temporary restraining order to prevent franchisee from prematurely terminating and converting to competing hotel brand.
• Represent retail membership-based franchisor of massage services as lead national litigation counsel in matters involving franchisee and regional developer disputes and third party vicarious liability claims.
• Represented international print shop franchisor in a lawsuit filed by a former franchisee in which claims of breach of contract and unfair trade practices were alleged. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client on all claims.  
• Represented international cookie franchisor in dispute involving health and safety violations and brand standards and unpaid royalties. Obtained preliminary injunction to enforce termination and enjoin franchisee from Lanham Act violations.
• Represent international real estate franchisor as lead national litigation counsel in numerous trademark infringement actions and franchisee disputes throughout the United States and abroad.
• Defended business sign franchisor in several related actions filed by former franchisee alleging fraudulent earnings claim, racketeering and breach of franchise agreement. Court granted summary judgment on all claims asserted by franchisee.
• Represented legal document preparation franchisor in termination-related dispute with multiple unit franchisee. Obtained a temporary restraining order, and then permanent injunction, enjoining franchisee from continuing to operate competing business utilizing our client’s trade secrets.