Profile: Ann Hurwitz

Franchise

Biography: Franchise

Ann Hurwitz is a partner in the Dallas, Texas office of DLA Piper US LLP. Ms Hurwitz graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1977 and received her JD from the University of North Carolina school of law in 1980. She is a member of the bar of the states of Texas and North Carolina and of the District of Columbia.

Ms Hurwitz concentrates her practice in the structuring and development of franchise programmes, the implementation of new system initiatives, including internet strategies, and the expansion of franchise systems through mergers, acquisitions and international expansion. She regularly counsels clients on regulatory compliance and relationship issues, including terminations and renewals, and is experienced in the mediation of franchise disputes.

Ms Hurwitz is a former member of the governing committee of the American Bar Association's forum on franchising (1997-2000) and is the former editor-in-chief (1993-1997) of the forum's Franchise Law Journal. She served two terms as chair (1994-1995 and 1995-1996) of the franchise and distribution law committee of the State Bar of Texas's intellectual property law section.

She is a frequent speaker on franchise and distribution issues for the ABA Forum on Franchising, the International Franchise Association, the International Bar Association (committee X) and other business and professional groups. She is also the author of numerous articles relating to franchising and distribution, including "Termination of the Franchise Relationship", joint meeting of the International Bar Association and International Franchise Association (May 1997); "Building Franchise Relationships: A Guide to Anticipating Problems, Resolving Conflicts, and Representing Clients", American Bar Association Forum on Franchising (co-editor 1996); and "Co-Branding: Managing Franchise Brand Associations", Oklahoma City University Law Review (summer/fall 1995). She continues to be listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc) and Franchise Times has twice named her to its list of 'Go-To Lawyers'.

DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms in the world, with more than 3,400 lawyers in 64 offices in 25 countries. The firm is a national and international leader in franchise and distribution law, with clients ranging from entrepreneurs and start-up companies to the world's largest franchisers and manufacturers.

DLA Piper is positioned to help companies with their legal needs anywhere in the world. We are a full-service legal organisation whose principal practices include commercial contracts; corporate; employment, pensions and benefits; finance and restructuring; franchise and distribution; intellectual property; litigation and arbitration; projects and infrastructure; real estate; regulatory and government affairs; tax; and technology and media.

Our unmatched global presence enables us to meet the ongoing needs of our clients in the world's key economic, technology and governmental centres, including: London, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Moscow, Tokyo, Shanghai, Chicago, Singapore, Brussels, Beijing, and Washington, DC.

In the US, DLA Piper has 1,500 lawyers and offices in 23 cities, including top business and technology markets across the country, from Baltimore and Boston to Silicon Valley and San Diego. We are also located in strategic markets such as Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Sacramento, Seattle and Tampa.