Will Woods and Ann Hurwitz have joined Baker & McKenzie as partners, adding decades of experience representing US and international franchise operations in transactional, distribution and regulatory matters. Based in Dallas, the team has a history of representing some of the best known franchisors throughout the business lifecycle, from start-up to middle-market expansion to global growth.
"Will and Ann's highly regarded practice will be a great complement to our existing global franchising team," said Miguel Noyola, Chair of the Firm's North America International Commercial Practice. "Their addition augments our capacity to aid US companies on domestic franchising matters and to serve non-US franchisors expanding into the US market."
Penny Ward, a leading franchising practitioner in the Firm's Australian offices, noted “Will and Ann are a great addition to Baker & McKenzie's global franchising team. It is a pleasure and a privilege to have them on board.”
Mr. Woods counsels clients on structuring international and domestic franchise transactions, distribution of products and services and franchise registration and disclosure matters. He represents many of the leading hotel, lodging and hospitality franchise companies and has vast experience in negotiating complex franchise transactions both in the US and in many other countries around the world. He also has significant experience in counseling clients across industries with respect to system restructuring and related relationship issues.
Ms. Hurwitz has more than 30 years of experience advising US franchisors on the structuring and operation of their domestic and international franchise programs. She also represents non-US based franchisors expanding into the US market. She has devoted particular attention to the complex issues arising from the ownership of multiple brands, co-branded opportunities, system restructuring and brand acquisition. Ms. Hurwitz also advises clients on the structuring of non-franchised distribution systems.
"Franchisors in the hospitality, restaurant and retail industries repeatedly turn to our lawyers to help them grow across the US and around the world," said John Flaim, Managing Partner of the Firm's Dallas Office. "Will and Ann's experience helping companies of all sizes expand, structure and manage operations across borders is a great fit for our team in Dallas."
"Baker & McKenzie's unsurpassed global platform and impressive US and cross-border capabilities will significantly enhance the depth of services we can offer our franchisor clients," said Mr. Woods.
Added Ms. Hurwitz: "Baker & McKenzie has a strong history of being a strategic partner to companies as they evolve into sophisticated global enterprises. We are excited to join the Firm and help continue this legacy."
About Will Woods
Mr. Woods has been listed in Chambers USA as a leading franchise lawyer every year since 2010 and was praised by clients as a “thorough, diligent and hardworking lawyer: someone who always tries to find a solution.” Chambers has also noted that he “impresses with his sophisticated international transactions practice.” He is included in the International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers. In 2007 and in 2011, he was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine, and in 2009, 2011 and 2012, he was recognized as a "Legal Eagle" and one of the top 101 franchise lawyers in the US and Canada by Franchise Times. In 2011 and 2012, he was named one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine.
Mr. Woods frequently speaks and writes about franchising and is active in various trade and bar associations, including the International Franchise Association, the International Bar Association and the ABA Forum on Franchising. He is a member of the Governing Committee of the ABA Forum on Franchising and the Editorial Advisory Board for the International Journal of Franchising Law. He is Past-chair of the Dallas Bar Association Franchise and Distribution Law Section. Mr. Woods is the editor of the ABA book Fundamentals of International Franchising.
Mr. Woods received his B.B.A. from the Baylor University in 1994 and his J.D., cum laude, from Baylor Law School in 1998. Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie, Mr. Woods was a partner in the Dallas office of Baker Botts.
About Ann Hurwitz
Among other honors, Ms. Hurwitz has been recognized repeatedly by the International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers as one of the “10 most highly regarded individuals internationally.” She has been listed in Chambers USA every year since 2007 and in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 1995. She has also been recognized repeatedly for her work in franchise law by Dallas’ D Magazine. A two-time winner of the International Law Office Client Choice Award for Franchising, Ms. Hurwitz has been praised as “very practical, able to understand business issues and extremely commercially aware.”
Ms. Hurwitz is a frequent author and speaker on franchise and distribution issues for business and professional groups. She is Co-chair of International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Network. She is a past member of the Governing Committee for the ABA Forum on Franchising and a former Editor-in-Chief of the Franchise Law Journal. From 1994-1996, Ms. Hurwitz served as Chair of the Franchise and Distribution Law Committee, State Bar of Texas Intellectual Property Law Section. She is co-editor of the ABA book The FTC Franchise Rule: Analysis and Commentary.
Ms. Hurwitz received her B.A. from the University of South Carolina in 1977 and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1980. Prior to joining Baker & McKenzie, Ms. Hurwitz chaired the Franchise and Distribution Law practice at Baker Botts.
