Experienced Franchise Attorneys & Consultants

Stephen Vandegrift, Co-Founder and President, has 25 years experience in franchising. Having operated businesses early in his career as both a franchisor and franchisee, the advice and guidance he offers clients comes from practical real-world experience. For startup franchisors, Mr. Vandegrift’s comprehensive understanding of the franchise relationship ensures that every aspect of the franchise operation is properly established. Working in conjunction with our senior franchise attorneys and consultants, he is personally involved in the development of each client's franchise operation. Mr. Vandegrift also advises existing franchisors, providing advice and guidance that help them achieve higher levels of success, In this capacity, he has been responsible for generating over $3 million in franchise fees and millions of dollars in royalties and product sales for our clients.

Joseph McClellan, Director of Development, has played an integral role in franchising for over 35 years.  A former speaker for the IFA annual convention, Mr. McClellan is well known for his sales seminars and training programs for franchisees and franchisors.  His techniques in the art and science of franchisee qualification and sales are used by many national franchise companies. Mr. McClellan has been instrumental in creating successful franchises in the restaurant, communication, entertainment, real estate, finance, weight loss, and residential services industries.  He has advised dozens of franchisors including Mr. Hero, Hollywood Video, Mr. Philly, Entertainment Network, Health Way Weight Loss Centers, Voice-Tel, and Equity 1.  Mr. McClellan’s extensive knowledge and experience in franchising benefits all aspects of our clients' franchise operations.

Keith Kanouse is an experienced franchise attorney having specialized in the areas of franchise, business opportunity and distribution law for over 30 years. Mr. Kanouse received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management from Bradley University, magna cum laude and his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, magna cum laude.  Mr. Kanouse is a partner in the firm of Kanouse & Walker, P.A. and a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers, as well as founding Chair of the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards Committee.  He is also a founding member and a Past Chair of the Franchise Law Committee of The Florida Bar. Taking his experience as a franchise lawyer, Mr. Kanouse has authored three books: Understanding a Franchise Offering Circular & Negotiating a Franchise Agreement; Negotiating a Business Lease; and Selecting the Best Entity to Own and Operate Your Business; and co-authored two others: Franchise Law and Practice; and Franchising 101.

Dennis Fox, Chief Counsel, received his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude from Walsh University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law.  He was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 1971 and has practiced corporate and business law for over 35 years.  As a non-active Certified Public Accountant licensed with the State of Ohio, Mr. Fox brings an added level of competence to our clients.  Mr. Fox is a member of the Ohio State and Stark County Bar Associations and a member of the Corporate Law Sections of the Ohio State and Stark County Bar Associations. His extensive business background and practical experience as a principal in Lesh, Casner & Miller, L.P.A.. greatly enhance our ability to provide quality franchise legal services and sound business advice to clients.

Scott Sandrock is an experienced franchise attorney, having represented franchisors and franchisees since 1978. A partner in the firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC, Mr. Sandrock has acted as general counsel for retail and commercial nationwide franchise systems. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree with honors in law from The Ohio State University College of Law, and his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from The University of Notre Dame.  Based on his extensive franchise law and license experience, Mr. Sandrock has been selected as an arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association in franchise-related disputes. He is also admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. With a reputation as an expert franchise attorney, Mr. Sandrock is a frequent lecturer and author on franchise and business opportunity issues.

Sharon L. Toerek, principal of Licata & Toerek, focuses her legal practice on intellectual property law and advises our clients regarding trademark and copyright registrations, protection of trade secrets, and other intellectual property issues.  Ms. Toerek’s experience in the areas of brand protection and trademarks extends to our clients in the retail, e-commerce, advertising, marketing, creative services, manufacturing and service industries throughout the United States and abroad. Ms. Toerek has chaired the Intellectual Property Section of the Cleveland Bar Association and has conducted numerous presentations on intellectual property law topics before the Cleveland Bar Association, American Advertising Federation (AAF) Cleveland, the Independent Practitioner’s Group, the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Akron, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Cleveland, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Council of Small Enterprises (COSE).

Joseph Sebolt, principal of Sand & Sebolt, specializes in the preparation and protection of national and international patents, trademarks and copyrights. He practices under both the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the European Patent Conventions. Mr. Sebolt is one the country's leading copyright, patent and trademark attorneys, and is personally responsible for hundreds of registrations each year. Mr. Sebolt received a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron. He is registered to practice before the Ohio Bar; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Sebolt is also licensed to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Stark County, Ohio State and American Bar Associations, and the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association.