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Liz Dillon

With nearly 20 years of experience, Liz Dillon counsels growing and experienced franchisors to expand and maintain their franchise systems. She also assists startup franchisors to develop and position their franchise systems for growth both domestically and internationally. Liz serves as the leader of the firm’s Franchise & Distribution Practice Group. 

Liz manages the franchise registration process for many well-known and emerging brands every year and has worked with numerous startup franchisors. She has helped franchisors expand into Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. She brings extensive knowledge and experience in preparing and registering disclosure documents, as well as franchise, development, and supply agreements. 

Liz also assists clients through mergers and acquisitions, providing franchise, licensing and distribution expertise for transactions.

In addition to representing franchisors, Liz represents other companies in the myriad of legal issues involved with the distribution of goods. She advises on matters including dealer / distribution agreements, international sale of goods, and avoiding franchise and business opportunity laws (accidental franchise).

Clients value Liz's ability to provide real-life solutions to challenging problems. They depend on her responsive and pragmatic, yet creative, advice. Tenacity is a strength that has helped Liz gain the recognition of being recognized by both Chambers USA and Chambers Global. In addition, she has earned the Certified Franchise Executive designation from the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives.

Presentations

  • Co-presenter, "Franchising Around the Globe: Business and Legal Updates," International Franchise Association Webinar, September 21, 2023
  • Moderator, "Thought Leadership Roundtable: How To Use Your Item 19 to Sell Franchises," 2023 IFA Annual Convention, February 27, 2023
  • Co-presenter, "Basic Track: International," International Franchise Association 54th Annual Legal Symposium, May 16, 2022
  • Co-presenter, "The Annotated International Franchise Agreement, or How to Turn a Domestic Agreement into an International Agreement," American Bar Association 44th Annual Forum on Franchising, Atlanta, Georgia, October 2021
  • Co-presenter, "Updating Internet Strategies After the Pandemic," 2021 International Distribution Institute Annual Conference, June 17, 2021
  • Moderator, “A Comprehensive Legal Review of the Creation of a Start-Up Franchise System,” American Bar Association's 42nd Annual Forum on Franchising, Denver, Colorado, October 2019
  • Moderator, "Impact of Accounting Standards Change on International Transactions," International Breakfast Panel, American Bar Association's 40th Annual Forum on Franchising, October 19, 2017
  • Co-presenter, “Judicial Update,” International Franchise Association’s 49th Annual Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C., May 17, 2016
  • Co-presenter, “Negotiating Challenging Provisions in Franchise Agreements,” American Bar Association Webinar, February 2, 2016
  • Co-presenter, “Drafting and Negotiating Challenging Provisions in Franchise and Development Agreements,” American Bar Association's 38th Annual Forum on Franchising, October 1, 2015
  • Co-presenter, “10 Commandments of Franchise Sales,” International Franchise Association's Franchise Expo, June 20, 2015
  • Co-presenter, “Tools for Taking Your Franchise Model to the Next Level,” International Franchise Association's Franchise Expo, June 18, 2015
  • Moderator, “Annual Leadership Conference: Digging Deeper: Mining for the Leader Within,” International Franchise Association's 54th Annual Convention, February 1, 2014
  • Co-presenter, “Be Prepared: Retirement and Succession Planning,” International Franchise Association’s 53rd Annual Convention,  February 18, 2013
  • Co-presenter, “Seizing International Opportunities: Five Ways to Maximize Your Return on Investment Through International Franchising,” International Franchise Association's Franchise Expo, June 1, 2012
  • Moderator, “Panel: To Err is Human: Remedying Mistakes in the Pre-Sale Disclosure Process,” International Franchise Association’s 44th Annual Legal Symposium, May 1, 2011

Publications

  • Co-Author, "Franchise Law Compliance Manual, 3rd Edition," American Bar Association, October 8, 2021
  • Co-Editor, "Global Franchise Regulation Update," Lathrop GPM, 2021-present
  • Chapter Co-Author, "Exemptions and Exclusions Under New York Law," Exemptions and Exclusions Under Federal and State Franchise Registration and Disclosure Laws, American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising, March 1, 2017

News Releases

Professional Affiliations

  • International Franchise Association, International Committee 2022- Present
  • International Franchise Association, Planning Committee, 2020-2021
  • International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Committee, past member
  • American Bar Association, Forum Committee on Franchising, International Division Steering Committee, past member
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Wisconsin Bar Association
  • Women in Franchising Network, Twin Cities, former co-chair

Community Involvement

  • Minnesota Land Trust, board member
  • Minnesota Land Trust, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, chair
  • Advocates for Human Rights, volunteer attorney
  • Call for Justice, former board member

Honors

  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America©, 2018-2024
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, "North Star Lawyers," 2019, 2023
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Nationwide Franchise, 2011-2023
  • Chambers Global, Franchising, 2013-2024
  • Franchise Times, "Legal Eagle," 2007-2011, 2013-2020, 2022
  • Thomson Reuters, "Minnesota Super Lawyer®," 2022-2023
    • "Minnesota Rising Star," 2007, 2009-2018
  • Minnesota Monthly, "Minnesota's Top Lawyers," 2022
  • The International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, 2013-2023
  • 2021 Flex Success® Award, Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, 2021
  • Minnesota Lawyer, "Up and Coming Attorney," 2009
Photo of Liz  Dillon
  • Minneapolis

    80 South Eighth Street
    3100 IDS Center
    Minneapolis, MN 55402
F: 612.632.4284

Assistant

Michelle Rice
612.632.3306
Email

Court Memberships

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin

Education

University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2004

University of Wisconsin-Madison, with honors, 2001, undergraduate degree