Biography: Franchise

John Sier is a partner of Mason Sier Turnbull, a Melbourne based corporate law firm. John has been an adviser to the franchising sector since 1985 and is regarded by his peers as a leader in franchising law. His clients include national and international household name brands. John has advised in all aspects of franchising start-ups, franchise corporate restructures, sales of franchised businesses and provides strategic advice to franchisors nationally and internationally. He has helped clients take franchise businesses into Japan and South Korea, has advised others on expanding into Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, India, Russia, Greece and the Middle East.

John has considerable experience in domestic and international distribution and licensing law. He has been involved in the establishment of distribution networks of large American and Asian corporations. He advises on corporate structuring and growth strategies for Hong Kong, China, the USA, Canada, the Middle East, the UK and New Zealand, and has strong associations and networks in these countries particularly with law firms specialising in franchising. These international links are becoming increasingly important as more of his corporate and franchise clients are now transacting business abroad.

John leads the franchising practice group comprising eight lawyers and three paralegals who advise on more than 100 systems. He is a regular author of franchising publications and often presents at national and international franchising conferences. John is a member of the Franchise Council of Australia, a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia and a member of the Law Council of Australia's business law section.