Blake Lapthorn appoints new head of Franchising team
Blake Lapthorn is pleased to announce the
appointment of Sheilah
Mackie as the new head of its non-contentious
Franchising team.
Sheilah, who is an associate at Blake
Lapthorn, will be responsible for heading up the team and for
continuing to develop and grow the firm's Franchising practice by
building on its offering to meet the needs of its existing and
expanding client base.
Sheilah joined Blake Lapthorn's Commercial IP/IT team in 2006 and specialises in
commercial and non-contentious IP/IT matters, with a particular
interest and expertise in the franchise sector. She advises on
the full range of issues faced by those in the sector including
setting up and managing franchise networks, complying with relevant
regulatory requirements, eg Vertical Agreements Block Exemption
Regulations and Trading Scheme legislation, dealing with
underperforming franchisees and extracting franchisees from
networks. Sheilah prepares and advises on the interpretation
of standard form agreements for franchisors (franchise agreements,
confidentiality and deposit agreements, business sale agreements)
as well reviewing franchise agreements for prospective
franchisees. She also has experience working as part of large
cross-disciplinary teams advising groups of franchisees of failed
networks including Threshers and Coffee Republic.
Sheilah's clients include franchisors and
franchisees in a variety of sectors including retail, leisure
services, lettings and estate agencies, B2B and B2C services,
domiciliary services, children's groups and charities. She
also acts for franchise consultants and industry associations and
is an Affiliate of the British Franchise Association and is
currently studying for the Qualified Franchise Professional
qualification. She is also a member of the Society for Computers
and Law.
Said Sheilah: "I am pleased to be taking over
the team at this exciting time as we look forward to the future.
The firm's Franchising team has been involved in some of the most
high profile cases and industry decision-making in recent years and
I very much look forward to us building on this."
Blake Lapthorn's Franchising team provides
legal advice to clients involved in the franchising sector, with
particular expertise in advising on documentation, IP, property,
climate change and litigation matters. The firm's clients comprise
both franchisees and franchisors, including Molly Maid UK, Card
Connection, Southern Co-op, Costa, Armchair Answercall, All
Mobility and the Adil Family. The firm is BFA accredited.
Simon
Stokes, joint head of Blake Lapthorn's Commercial IP/IT team in
London,
comments: "I am delighted that Sheilah, with her in-depth
experience of the franchise sector, is leading our work in
this area."
For more information, please contact Daniel Baber, PR manager,
Blake Lapthorn on 020 7814 5489 / 07771 930 084 or by email at
daniel.baber@bllaw.co.uk.
