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Resume | Mitchell J. Kassoff, Franchise Attorney

Resume

Education

Juris Doctor- University of Virginia School of Law, 1978

B.S.- Public Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, State University of New York at Albany, 1975

Educational Positions

Tenured Professor of Law- Pace University (27 years)

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Pace University

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Oral Roberts University

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Berkeley College

Lecturer- Franchise Law- University of Virginia School of Law (invited to teach a class on Franchise Law)

Lecturer- Franchise Law- University of Hawaii (invited to make a presentation)

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Rutgers University (invited to make a presentation)

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Romanian Franchise Association (Bucharest, Romania- invited to make a presentation)

Moderator- Franchise Law- New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Northeast Academy of Legal Studies in Business

Lecturer- Franchise Law- The Association of the Bar of the City of New York

Lecturer- Franchise Law- New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education

Lecturer- Franchise Law- National Academy of Continuing Legal Education

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Strafford Continuing Legal Education

Lecturer- Franchise Law- Stand With Us

Published Articles

Resolving Venue and Jurisdictional Conflicts in Franchise Matters- New Jersey Law Journal

Violation of the California and Illinois Franchise Laws by a Franchisor: Opposing a Franchisor’s Motion for Summary Judgment in Federal Court- Andrews Litigation Reporter, Franchise & Distribution, published by Thomson/West

Implications of the Federal Antitrust Laws as to Franchising: Opposing a Franchisor’s Motion for Summary Judgment in Federal Court- Andrews Litigation Reporter, Franchise & Distribution, published by Thomson/West

Mr. Kassoff’s case published in Leagle.com in which the New Jersey Federal District Court agreed with his arguments and ruled that a New Jersey Franchisee could sue in New Jersey despite a provision in the Franchise Agreement to the contrary

Defeating a Motion to Dismiss a Franchise Case in Federal Court- Andrews Litigation Reporter, Franchise & Distribution- Andrews Litigation Reporter, Franchise & Distribution, published by Thomson/West

Can a Choice of Forum Clause Force a Franchisee To Litigate in the Franchisor’s Home State?- New York State Bar Association Journal

Is the Use of a Language Other Than English Required in Franchise Agreements?- Andrews Litigation Reporter, Franchise & Distribution, published by Thomson/West

Should A Franchise Holder Be Allowed To Continue Operating While A Termination Suit Is Pending?- New York State Bar Association Journal

Opposing a Franchisor’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction Against a Franchisee- Andrews Litigation Reporter, Franchise & Distribution, Published by Thomas/West

Complex of Federal and State Laws Regulates Franchise Operations As Their Popularity Grows- New York State Bar Association Journal

The Factual and Legal Basis Under Federal Law for Opposing a Corporation’s Demand for a Preliminary Injunction- The North East Journal of Legal Studies

The Legal and Business Aspects of Franchising- Westchester County Business Journal

Rendering Consequential and Incidental Damage Limitations and Exclusions Contained in Warranty Provisions Void Pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code in Certain Instances for Commercial Cases- The North East Journal of Legal Studies

A Legal Analysis of a Preferred Method of Retail Sales- Hawaii International Conference on Business, University of Hawaii

The Legal Issues Involved Pursuant to Federal Law as to Compelling a Witness to Appear for Discovery in the Jurisdiction in Which a Case is Being Litigated Which is in a State other than the Defendant’s Place of Business or Residence- North East Academy of Legal Studies in Business

Complex of Federal and State Laws Regulates Franchise Operations As Their Popularity Grows– The Malaysia Online Legal Resources

Business Week (Mr. Kassoff is the attorney for the subject of the article)

One of Mr. Kassoff’s cases reported in the CCH Business Franchise Guide (Primary Source for Franchise Attorneys) Monthly Summary

Another one of Mr. Kassoff’s cases reported in the CCH Business Franchise Guide (Primary Source for Franchise Attorneys) Monthly Summary

Sacramento Business Journal (Mr. Kassoff was interviewed for this article)

Next Step Magazine (Feature Article about Mr. Kassoff)

Complex of Federal and State Laws Regulates Franchise Operations– The Edhec Journal of Law

And You Thought the Code Was Complex– Franchising (an Australian publication)

Admission of Computer Produced Evidence– American Bar Association

Professional Recognitions, Positions Held and Memberships

Eagle Scout- Boy Scouts of America

Commissioner- Boy Scouts of America

Avvo Legal Rating Rank is “Superb,” which is above Excellent and is the highest possible rating

Have successfully prosecuted cases for former United States Military Personnel

Expert Witness in Franchise Litigation, including a case involving McDonald’s Corporation

Expert Witness in a Franchise Legal Malpractice case

Arbitrator- American Arbitration Association (invited to apply)

Mediator- American Arbitration Association (invited to apply)

Named a “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times

Reported in LJN’s (Law Journal Newsletters) Franchising Business & Law Alert

Nominated as the International Legal Professional of the Year (International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England)

President- North East Academy of Legal Studies in Business

Chairman- American Bar Association Committee on the Use of Computer Produced Data

Judge for Inter-University Moot Court Competition

Reported in Business Week

Listed in Who’s Who in the World

Listed in Global Who’s Who

Listed in International Who’s Who of Professionals

Listed in Who’s Who in America

Listed in Who’s Who in American Law

Listed in Who’s Who in Executives and Business

Listed in Who’s Who in Finance and Business

Listed in Who’s Who in the East

Listed in Biltmore’s Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals

Listed in Biltmore’s Honors Edition

Listed in Covington Who’s Who

Recognized as a “Top Lawyer in New Jersey”

American Bar Association

New York State Bar Association

Essex County Bar Association

Association of the Bar of the City of New York

New York County Bar Association

Queens County Bar Association

Qualifications accepted by MENSA (Top 2% Intelligence in the World)

Concentration of Law Practice

All areas of Franchise Law in all 50 states including litigation both for and against franchisors and franchisees, Expert Witness in Franchise Litigation, Franchise Disclosure Document preparation, state registration, corporate aspects, business aspects and the detailed analysis of a FDD of a franchisor for a person who is interested in purchasing a franchise.

Unlike other attorneys and law firms who engage in many areas of the law, Mr. Kassoff deals exclusively with Franchise Law. Which attorney or law firm would you want to represent you and your interests, an attorney or law firm that divides their interests and attention among many areas of the law or Mr. Kassoff who spends his entire time exclusively on Franchise Law?

Mr. Kassoff has been representing Franchisees, Franchisors and Franchisee Associations in all 50 states since 1979.

Mr. Kassoff is available to act as a Mediator or Arbitrator directly between a Franchisor and a Franchisee or through any organization (such as the American Arbitration Association) in all 50 states.

Client Base

Franchisees, Franchisors, startup companies, multi-state franchise systems, international franchise systems, closely held companies and publicly traded companies.

Has Successfully Taken Action Against

  • Starbucks Coffee Company
  • Dunkin’ Donuts Inc.
  • Domino’s Pizza LLC
  • 7-Eleven Inc.
  • The Southland Corporation
  • Curves International, Inc.
  • United Parcel Service, Inc.
  • Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.
  • Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
  • Menchie’s Group, Inc.
  • Amazing Lash Studio Franchise, LLC
  • Big Boy Franchise Management LLC
  • Rita’s Water Ice Franchise Company, LLC
  • Jimmy John’s Franchise, LLC
  • Jimmy John’s Enterprises, LLC
  • U-Swirl International, Inc.
  • Anytime Fitness, LLC
  • Red Mango FC, LLC
  • Panchero’s Franchise Corporation
  • Great Wraps, Inc.
  • Wings To Go, Inc.
  • MaggieMoo’s International, LLC
  • Tutor Doctor Systems Inc.
  • I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt Ltd.
  • Candy Express Franchising Inc.
  • Villa Pizza, LLC
  • Camille’s Franchise System, Inc. (a subsidiary of Beautiful Brands International, L.L.C.)
  • Muscle Maker Franchising, LLC (Muscle Maker Grill)
  • Mr. Electric Corp.
  • Wishwell International, Inc.
  • Best Western International Inc.
  • Days Inns Worldwide, Inc. (formerly known as Days Inns of America, Inc.)
  • Firehouse Restaurant Group, Inc. (Firehouse Subs)
  • The Basement Store Franchise Corp.
  • Kahala Franchise Corp.
  • HealthSource Chiropractic, Inc.
  • Honig’s Whistle Stop, Inc.
  • GoliathTech Inc. (Canada)
  • Keng Group LLC d/b/a Tasty Image The World of Your Chocolate!
  • CALLRN Franchise LLC (Assisted Living Locators franchise)
  • FirstLight HomeCare Franchising, LLC
  • Aaron Rents LLC (Aaron’s Lease to Own)
  • Byrider Franchising LLC
  • J.D. Byrider Systems, LLC
  • Byrider Holding Corp.
  • OTA Franchise Corporation
  • Nissan North America, Inc.
  • Shell Oil Company
  • Black Entertainment Television Inc.
  • United Airlines Inc.
  • The Hertz Corporation
  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • LaSalle National Bank
  • Amerigroup New Jersey, Inc.
  • Amerigroup Corporation
  • United States Internal Revenue Service
  • Attorney General of the State of New York
  • New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
  • Woolworth Corporation
  • Motiva Enterprises L.L.C.
  • Allegiance Telecom Company Worldwide
  • Allegiance Telecom of New York Inc.
  • Equilon Enterprises L.L.C.
  • Equiva Trading Company
  • Venator Group Inc.
  • Brice Foods Inc.
  • Bajio, LLC
  • Bajio National, LLC
  • Bajio Franchising, LLC
  • Obregon, LLC
  • Abundant Brands, LLC
  • Open Road of Morris County LLC
  • Fremont Financial Corporation
  • Alliance to Save Energy
  • Public Service Electric & Gas
  • And numerous other companies which are not nationally known

Courts Admitted to Practice

United States Supreme Court

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States Customs Court of Customs and Patent Appeals

United States Court of Claims

United States Tax Court

United States Customs Court

United States Court of International Trade

United States District Court for the District of Arizona (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the Northern District of California (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the Southern District of California (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (pro hac vice)

Florida (State) Circuit Court (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (pro hac vice)

Georgia State Court (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the District of Maryland (pro hac vice)

Nebraska (State) District Court (pro hac vice)

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

New Jersey- All Courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

United States District Court for the Northern District of New York

United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

United States District Court for the Western District of New York

New York- All Courts

United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Texas (State) District Court (pro hac vice)

Cases are accepted for all 50 states