(September 10, 2026) — Lathrop GPM is pleased to announce that four attorneys have been recognized in Lexology Thought Leaders – USA 2027 in the Franchising category: Liz Dillon, Michael Gray, Mark Kirsch and Gaylen Knack.
Dillon is a nationally recognized franchise attorney who advises franchisors on development, registration, expansion and distribution strategies in the U.S. and internationally. She is Practice Group Leader for the Franchise & Distribution practice group and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. Dillon has been ranked in Chambers USA and Chambers Global for Franchising for more than a decade and has been recognized as a Lexology Thought Leader in Franchising since 2013.
Gray is a veteran litigator with nearly 40 years of experience representing franchisors in litigation, arbitration and mediation matters across the United States. He serves as lead litigation counsel for several national franchise systems and focuses on franchise disputes, restrictive covenant enforcement and other complex business litigation. Gray has been recognized by Chambers USA since 2016 and has been named a Lexology Thought Leader in Franchising since 2010.
Kirsch advises franchisors on domestic and international regulatory, business and transactional matters, with a particular focus on franchise mergers and acquisitions. With more than 40 years of experience, he serves as special franchise counsel on complex franchise system and multi-unit portfolio transactions. Kirsch has been ranked in Chambers USA since 2014 and has been recognized as a Lexology Thought Leader in Franchising since 2013.
Knack advises franchisors on the development and operation of domestic and international franchise and distribution systems. He has more than 30 years of experience in private practice and as a franchise executive, and provides clients with guidance on franchise growth, regulatory compliance and international expansion. Knack has been ranked in both Chambers USA and Chambers Global for franchising and has been recognized as a Lexology Thought Leader in Franchising since 2003.
The firm’s recognition in this year’s Lexology Thought Leaders guide builds on several recent Lexology honors. In July, Rosalee McNamara and Kathryn Nash were listed as “Highly Recommended,” and Tedrick Housh was listed as “Recommended” in the Lexology Index Employment & Labor Report 2026. In August, Sheldon Klein was recognized as “Recommended” in the Lexology Index Intellectual Property Report 2026. Together, these distinctions reflect the breadth of the firm’s nationally recognized practices.
Lexology’s Thought Leaders guide, formerly published by Who’s Who Legal, brings together attorneys recognized for their depth of expertise and standing in their fields. Honorees are selected through an independent research process that incorporates feedback from private practitioners and in-house counsel worldwide.