Fox Rothschild LLP congratulates Eleanor Vaida Gerhards, John R. Gotaskie, Jr., Elizabeth D. Sigety, and Craig R. Tractenberg, who were featured among the 2019 “Legal Eagles” by Franchise Times magazine.
The list highlights attorneys who have made significant strides in franchise law and were selected from nominations by their clients and peers. This is the sixth consecutive year Franchise Times has named Gotaskie and Sigety to the list and the fourth time it has recognized Gerhards and Center. Tractenberg has been named since the list’s inception 16 years ago and is also a member of its Hall of Fame.
Led by Co-Chairs Gerhards and Tractenberg, Fox’s national Franchising & Distribution Practice is a dynamic team, well-equipped to meet the needs of franchise and distribution companies across every line of business – industrial, retail, food, entertainment, service, technology or home-based. With more than 40 attorneys, the award-winning group serves franchise clients in all 50 states and abroad.
Gerhards concentrates her practice on commercial transactions and compliance matters representing primarily franchisors, area developers and master franchisees. She also represents start-up franchisors in the establishment of franchise systems and, as a member of her firm’s insurance group and privacy and data security group, she often counsels franchise systems on insurance coverage matters and cyber security issues. She serves as chair of the IFA Philadelphia Women’s Franchise Network and is an IFA Certified Franchise Executive. Gerhards frequently writes and speaks on legal issues in the franchise industry and has presented at the ABA Forum on Franchising and IFA Legal Symposium. Her articles have appeared in the ABA Forum’s Franchise Lawyer newsletter, the Franchise Law Journal, Law360 and Property Casualty 360. Gerhards has also been recognized by International Who’s Who in Law-Franchising (2018). She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Duquesne University and her B.A., cum laude, from Bloomsburg University.
Gotaskie represents individuals, partnerships and companies in diverse legal matters, including complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy litigation and franchising issues. He serves as co- editor of this blog and has recorded numerous podcasts that address issues impacting franchisors and franchisees. Gotaskie represents both franchisors and franchisees in litigation and general corporate matters, including advice regarding Franchise Disclosure Documents, franchise agreements and related contracts. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh and his B.S., cum laude, from Georgetown University.
Sigety, former co-chair of the firm’s Franchising & Distribution Practice Group, regularly advises clients on venture capital, angel financing and mergers and acquisitions as well as in franchising, securities, private placements, franchise regulatory matters and franchise agreements. Active with the International Franchise Association (IFA), she has been recognized as a Certified Franchise Executive by the IFA and serves on the Women’s Franchise Committee. In addition, she co-founded the IFA’s Philadelphia Chapter of the Women’s Franchise Network. Sigety earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago and her B.A., cum laude, from Yale College.
Tractenberg handles complex business disputes involving intellectual property, licenses, business torts and insolvency issues. His practice centers on developing and protecting the financial and brand equity of franchise companies. He regularly structures new franchise programs, many of which are international. In addition, Tractenberg defends and enforces franchise agreements and is a frequent writer and lecturer on the subject. He is recognized in Chambers USA for Franchising (Nationwide), Best Lawyers for Franchise Law (Lawyer of the Year-NY 2011) (Lawyer of the Year-PA 2017), International Who’s Who in Law-Franchising and Super Lawyers (Blue Ribbon-franchising). He earned his J.D. from Temple University, where he was an adjunct Professor of Franchise Law, and his B.A., cum laude, from La Salle University.
*Franchise Times® is a national business publication and its methodology for selection of “Legal Eagles” and “Legal Eagles Hall of Fame” can be found here.