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Movers & Shakers
Schwartz Cooper Merges With Dykema Gossett, but Top Franchise Attorney
Goes Elsewhere
When most of the attorneys from Schwartz Cooper (Chicago) decided earlier this year to join the large Detroit law firm Dykema Gossett P.L.L.C., the firm's key franchise attorney, Carmen Caruso, chose instead to join a small Chicago firm, Stahl Cowen Crowley Addis LLC, and to build a franchise practice.
The driver of the decision was a conflict of interest that Caruso faced because he was representing six dealers who were in fraud litigation with Dykema Gossett's client Bang & Olufsen. Caruso chose to retain his clients and to seek another opportunity, deciding to join Stahl Cowen in July. He is working with Stahl Cowen Corporate Partner Luanne Addis to build the franchising practice.
“When the attorneys at Schwartz Cooper decided to join Dykema Gossett, I took my franchise practice, and I spoke with 15 or 20 firms, ranging from mid-size to very large,” said Caruso. “Ultimately, I decided that my franchise practice did not need to be part of a large firm.
“Franchisors and large franchisees, which are my typical clients, are very entrepreneurial,” he continued. “I see franchising as most appropriately served by law firms in the mid-size range, except maybe for the 20 or 30 largest national franchisors. Stahl Cowen, which has about 25 attorneys, is a perfect fit. I have all the support I need for litigation, corporate, finance, trademark, real estate, and so on.”
The Bang & Olufsen lawsuit was settled soon after Caruso joined Stahl Cowen.
Zwisler Joins Gray, Plant, Mooty
Carl E. Zwisler has joined Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett, PA, becoming the tenth franchise attorney in its Washington, DC, office. Zwisler brings new expertise to the firm, as he has built his career focusing on compliance issues and international franchising. The Gray Plant team in Washington is known for its litigation work.
“A little more than half of my practice has been international,” said Zwisler. “Gray Plant has an international franchise practice, and it's looking to build in that area, especially international master franchising.”
Zwisler praised Gray Plant as “unique'because it's a firm with about 165 lawyers, but franchising is the largest part of its business. I've been in large firms before, but never where franchising has been the highest priority.”
Rookes Leaves FOCUS Brands to Join Atlanta Firm
Kathryn Rookes left FOCUS Brands after serving as in-house counsel, to join Atlanta firm Taylor, Busch, Slipakoff & Duma, LLP. She held numerous positions at FOCUS Brands, including senior vice president of legal since July 2007.
Schwartz Cooper Merges With
Goes Elsewhere
When most of the attorneys from Schwartz Cooper (Chicago) decided earlier this year to join the large Detroit law firm
The driver of the decision was a conflict of interest that Caruso faced because he was representing six dealers who were in fraud litigation with
“When the attorneys at Schwartz Cooper decided to join
“Franchisors and large franchisees, which are my typical clients, are very entrepreneurial,” he continued. “I see franchising as most appropriately served by law firms in the mid-size range, except maybe for the 20 or 30 largest national franchisors. Stahl Cowen, which has about 25 attorneys, is a perfect fit. I have all the support I need for litigation, corporate, finance, trademark, real estate, and so on.”
The Bang & Olufsen lawsuit was settled soon after Caruso joined Stahl Cowen.
Zwisler Joins
Carl E. Zwisler has joined
“A little more than half of my practice has been international,” said Zwisler. “
Zwisler praised
Rookes Leaves FOCUS Brands to Join Atlanta Firm
Kathryn Rookes left FOCUS Brands after serving as in-house counsel, to join Atlanta firm Taylor, Busch, Slipakoff & Duma, LLP. She held numerous positions at FOCUS Brands, including senior vice president of legal since July 2007.
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