© 2014 The Texas Lawbook.
By Brooks Igo
Staff Writer for The Texas Lawbook
(February 26) — Domestic and international franchise experts Will Woods and Ann Hurwitz recently joined Baker & McKenzie’s Dallas office from Baker Botts. The duo has represented companies in the hospitality, restaurant and retail industries.
Woods, who focuses his practice on franchise M&A, said Baker & McKenzie’s 75 offices worldwide were a big factor in his decision to lateral over.
“Baker & McKenzie has a market leading network,” he said. “It is a terrific platform for my franchise practice.”
The Baylor Law School graduate expects there will be increased activity in 2014 on the international front by U.S. franchisors looking to grow globally and by non-U.S. companies looking to come into the U.S.
“Though it tailed off from 2009 to 2011, M&A activity has really increased in franchising, especially in private equity and franchises buying other brands,” added Woods, who also does trust and estate work pro bono.
Hurwitz, a University of North Carolina School of Law graduate, is well positioned to serve those trends. Her expertise is in advising U.S. franchisors on the structuring and operation of their domestic and international franchise programs and representing non-U.S. based franchisors expanding into the U.S. market.
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