Practice Focus

Peter advises clients on all aspects of franchise law and other retail and distribution matters, including the preparation of franchise agreements and disclosure documents, regulatory compliance, fair dealing, acquisitions, dispositions, disputes and terminations.  He also has extensive experience in assisting clients with various other commercial matters, including corporate structuring and governance, financing, and marketing initiatives.

In addition, Peter regularly advises clients on M&A matters and has played a leading role in both domestic and cross-border transactions involving companies in the retail, information technology, natural resource and sports and entertainment industries, among others.

Peter regularly speaks and writes on franchise issues and is currently the Continuing Legal Education Liaison of the Ontario Bar Association’s Franchise Law Section.

Industry Recognition

• Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2011 as a leading Canadian franchise law practitioner
• Listed in Best Lawyers 2012

Recent Publications/Appearances

• Speaker – “Top 10 Changes You Need to Make to Your Franchise Agreement”, Ontario Bar Association 11th Annual Franchise Law Conference: “Mastering a Recovering Economy”, Toronto, Ontario, November 2, 2011
• Roundtable Facilitator – “How to Identify and Avoid Critical Problems in International Master Franchising”, International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington, DC, May 15-17, 2011
• Speaker – “Identifying and Dealing with Challenged Units and Sales”, Canadian Franchise Association Annual Convention, Niagara Falls, Ontario, April 5, 2011
• Co-chair – “Franchise Law Primer: A Practical Roadmap”, OBA Institute Franchise Law Section Program, Toronto, Ontario, February 3, 2011
• Speaker – “Best Practices in Disclosure Document Preparation”, Ontario Bar Association 10th Annual Franchise Law Conference: “What We Can Expect in the Next Decade”, Toronto, Ontario, November 4, 2010
• Speaker – “What to Do When the Store Needs to Close”, Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit, Toronto, Ontario, May 27, 2010
• Roundtable Facilitator – “A Strategy to Take Over the World – Things to Think About Before Expanding Internationally”, International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington, DC, May 16-18, 2010
• Speaker – “Difficult Disclosure Issues”, Ontario Bar Association 9th Annual Franchise Law Conference: “The Whole Nine Yards”, Toronto, Ontario, October 14, 2009
• Speaker – “Everything is for Sale”, Ontario Bar Association Joint Sub-Committee on Franchising Dinner Program, Toronto, Ontario, May 26, 2009
• Roundtable Facilitator – “The Pros and Cons of Going International During Difficult Economic Times”, International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington, DC, May 17-19, 2009
• Speaker – “Franchising 101″, Ontario Bar Association 8th Annual Franchise Law Conference: “Putting Principles into Practice”, Toronto, Ontario, November 25, 2008
• Co-chair – “Continuing Issues in Franchise Disclosure”, Ontario Bar Association Dinner Program, Toronto, Ontario, May 29, 2008

Specialties

Practice Areas

• Corporate
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Franchisor Services
• Franchisee Services
• Franchise Associations

Professional Associations

• CLE Liaison, Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Section (current)
• Executive Member, Ontario Bar Association Joint Sub-Committee on Franchising (2008-2010)
• Ontario Bar Association
• American Bar Association Forum on Franchising
• Canadian Franchise Association
• International Franchise Association

News