Serving as in-house corporate counsel to large printing and graphics franchise system with over 900 franchisees in five countries. Responsible for the day to day management of all legal affairs of the company including all domestic and international franchise regulatory matters, compliance with disclosure and registration laws, preparation of disclosure documents and franchise agreements. Manage franchisor/franchisee relationships, compliance with franchise agreements and operating standards, compliance with franchise relationship laws while working closely with company’s operations team. Maintain franchise registrations, renewals and exemptions and interact with state regulators. Oversee, monitor, and participate in franchise transfers, collection matters, default and terminations, including responsibility for managing all litigation, arbitration and mediation proceedings. Retain and supervise outside legal counsel and assist in negotiating and drafting of settlement agreements. Maintain and protect large portfolio of intellectual property. Review and negotiate a multitude of general corporate contracts including approved vendor and supplier relationships, marketing, confidentiality, convention, consulting, employment, and many other areas. Conduct lease reviews and consult on related real estate issues. Conduct annual franchise sales compliance training sessions.

Assisted in the supervision of mortgage foreclosure department consisting of twenty attorneys and fifty paralegals. Handled all facets of foreclosure litigation from commencement through deficiency judgment. Performed wide variety of tasks including the examination of title searches, drafting of pleadings, extensive motion practice, negotiation and preparation of workout agreements, court appearances, and legal research. Assisted in recruiting and training of staff. Participated in client conferences. Played key role in re-engineering of department and converting to an automated system resulting in improved efficiency and reduction in case backlog.Supervised eviction department. Managed staff of four and provided litigation to support to twenty attorneys. Maintained large caseload of eviction actions involving portfolio of over eight hundred properties. Counseled several banking clients regarding eviction, landlord-tenant, and property management issues. Performed all aspects of litigation including the drafting of pleadings, motion practice, negotiating settlements, preparing stipulations, and court appearances.

Litigated summary proceedings against tenants of New York City owned buildings including nonpayment and holdover cases. Drafted pleadings, motions, and memoranda of law. Represented the City of New York as landlord in Housing Court. Negotiated settlements, argued motions, and conducted trials.