Profile: Joseph W Sheyka

Franchise

Biography: Franchise

Joseph W Sheyka is a partner in the Chicago, Illinois office of DLA Piper US LLP. He has concentrated his practice in franchising and distribution law for more than 33 years. Mr Sheyka received his BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his JD from Northwestern University School of Law.

Mr Sheyka is co-author of General Franchising Considerations published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Organising and Advising Illinois Businesses. He is also co-author of 'Franchising in the United States' published in the Canadian Franchise Guide and acts as the firm's liaison to the Canadian Franchise Association. Mr Sheyka is a frequent lecturer on franchising and distribution topics at the International Franchise Association's Legal Symposium, Annual Convention and legal roundtables; the American Bar Association Forum Committee on Franchising mid-year meeting and annual forum; and the annual meeting of the Canadian Franchise Association.

He is a member of the ABA Forum Committee on Franchising, the Franchising Committee of the Antitrust Section of the American Bar Association, and the International Franchising Committee of the Business Law Section of the International Bar Association. He has been involved in the drafting of Illinois franchise laws and regulations.

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.