Perkins Coie LLP

Perkins Coie, LLP

Perkins Coie LLP serves great companies with more than 600 attorneys in 14 offices across the United States and in China. The firm represents clients that range in size from FORTUNE 100 companies to start-ups and has historically represented market leaders in traditional and cutting-edge technology industries.

The firm's franchise lawyers provide a full range of legal services for both developing and established franchisors, including the structuring of a franchise program and the preparation of franchise agreements, offering circulars and other documents necessary to comply with state and federal registration and disclosure laws. The firm has extensive experience in counseling mature franchisors in matters of franchisor-franchisee relations, international expansion, restructuring the franchise system or programs within the system, handling transfers, terminations and renewals and in structuring multiple unit, subfranchisor, supplier, joint venture, dealership and alternative license relationships. The litigators in the Franchise Practice Group handle franchise litigation, franchise dispute resolution, arbitration and intellectual property cases.

Kim I. McCullough (kmccullough@perkinscoie.com) is the partner in charge of the firm's franchise practice. Since graduating from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1981, she has devoted substantially all of her practice to representing franchisors. Ms. McCullough is a member of the ABA Forum Committee on Franchising, has written articles on franchising for state and national publications and has been a speaker at International Franchise Association Legal Symposiums and Annual Conventions and ABA Forum meetings. She has also served as General Counsel to a national franchisor. Ms. McCullough is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Oregon.

Jeffrey J. Cowman (jcowman@perkinscoie.com) a partner in the firm, specializes in a general trial and arbitration practice with particular emphasis in commercial and franchise litigation. He received his undergraduate degree in finance, summa cum laude from Moorhead State University in Minnesota in 1978 and his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1981. He is admitted to all state and federal courts in the State of Colorado. Mr. Cowman is a member of the Defense Research Institute and is the former president of the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association.

Judith B. Gitterman (jgitterman@perkinscoie.com), of counsel in the Los Angeles office, practices in the areas of business and franchise litigation and appellate law. She received a B.A. magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978 and her law degree from the Cornell Law School in 1984. Ms. Gitterman has authored numerous articles on franchise related topics in state and national publications, has been a presenter at the ABA Forum on Franchising and the Annual Legal Symposium of the International Franchise Association and is a member of the ABA Forum Committee on Franchising.

Lynne M. Hanson (lhanson@perkinscoie.com), of counsel, specializes in writing franchise disclosure documents, franchise-related agreements, and in registering franchisors to sell franchises, both domestically and internationally. She also practices in the areas of corporate and trademark law. She received her undergraduate degree from Carleton College in 1981 and her law degree from the University of Colorado in 1988. Ms. Hanson is a member of the ABA Forum Committee on Franchising.

Leonard H. MacPhee (lmacphee@perkinscoie.com), a partner in the firm, focuses his practice on commercial and franchise litigation. He received his undergraduate degree from Messiah College, cum laude, in 1990 and his law degree from the Dickenson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University in 1994. He is admitted to practice in Colorado, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Garrett M. Tuttle (gtuttle@perkinscoie.com), of counsel, practices in the areas of franchise, trademark and intellectual property law, with a focus on transactional matters including: drafting of franchise disclosure documents, franchise agreements and related documents; filing and maintaining state franchise registrations; and obtaining and maintaining state, federal and international trademark rights. He is a Member of the ABA Forum on Franchising and Intellectual Property Law Section.

James D. DeRoche (jderoche@perkinscoie.com), of counsel in the Los Angeles office, specializes in franchise litigation including trademark, antitrust, provisional remedies, unfair competition, franchise law, mediation, arbitration and trials. He practices in both federal and state courts. He received his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University in 1971 and his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1975. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Craig J. Knobbe (cknobbe@perkinscoie.com), associate, practices in franchise and distribution law. He also practices in the areas of real estate and general business law. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona in 1995, and his law degree from the University of Denver College of Law in 1999.