Partner

Joseph Adler

About

Joseph Adler is a senior corporate and commercial lawyer who assists clients in all matters related to their operations and transactions in Canada and a registered trademark agent. His particular emphasis is in franchising and distribution, intellectual property law and cross-border trade. Joseph serves as legal counsel for Canadian and US (and other foreign) franchisors doing business in Canada and Canadian franchisors doing business in the US, Europe and abroad. He also acts and has acted for various multi-unit franchisees and franchisee associations as well.

Joseph has published and has been quoted in numerous articles and has spoken on various franchising topics at venues organized by the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA), the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, and the International Franchise Association (IFA).

Experience

Joseph is:

  • IFA Education Advisory Group , International Franchise Association (2019 to Present)
  • Secretary and General Counsel, Canadian Franchise Association (2011-2015)
  • Member, the CFA’s Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee
  • Director and executive member, the CFA’s Board of Directors (2007-2015)


Repeatedly listed as a leading practitioner in franchise law in the:

  • Prestigious International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers and Canadian Who’s Who
  • Legal LEXPERT Directory
  • Franchise Times as a “Legal Eagle” – one of the top franchise lawyers in the United States and Canada
  • The National Post’s Best Lawyers in Canada (Franchising)
  • Chambers Canada

Franchise and distribution; International business transactions; Corporate and commercial; Intellectual property

Canadian Franchise Association – Director and Executive Member of the Board of Directors (2007-2015)

Canadian Franchise Association – Secretary and General Counsel (2011-2015)

Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Canadian Franchise Association – Member

International Franchise Lawyers Association – Canadian Representative

Forum on Franchising, American Bar Association – Member

Canadian Bar Association – Member

American Bar Association – Member

International Franchise Association – Member

International Trademark Association – Member

International Bar Association – Member

George Brown College, Business Concepts Course – Professor 

Joseph’s articles have been published in various franchise related publications. He has spoken at a wide range of venues on various franchising topics, including at events sponsored by the Canadian Franchise Association, Ontario Bar Association and the International Franchise Association.

Click here for a full index of downloadable articles

Recognized, 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (March 5, 2024)

Speaker, Canadian Franchise Association’s “Learn & Grow Webinar on New Franchise Grants and Resales” (Toronto, December 5, 2023)

Guest Lecturer, Toronto Metropolitan University’s Ted Rogers School of Management, “Franchise Law” (Toronto, December 4, 2023)

Attended, Ontario Bar Association’s 22nd Annual Franchise Law Conference (Toronto, November 28, 2023)

Recognized, Who’s Who Legal , as a leader in Franchise Law (November 2023)

Co-Author, “Franchise Laws and Regulations, Canada 2024”, ICLG.com (October 2023)

Roundtable Facilitator, Canadian Franchise Association’s Franchise Law Day (Toronto, September 21, 2023)

Recognized, The Best Lawyers In Canada, 2024 Edition, as a leader in Franchise Law

Co-Author, “When Does a Franchise Agreement Become Binding”, Franchise Voice (August 2023)

Co-speaker, Canadian Franchise Association’s Certified Franchise Executives Fran-Guard Seminar (Niagara Falls, April 1, 2023)

Author, “What every prospective franchisee needs to know to succeed”, Canadian Business Franchise (December 2022)

Co-speaker, “Cross Border Franchising”, Ontario Bar Association’s 21st Annual Franchise Law Conference (Toronto, November 29, 2022)

Co-Author, “Franchise Laws and Regulations, Canada 2023”, ICLG.com (October 2022)

Co-Author, “Emerging Brand Missteps Happen. Here Are Ways to Avoid Them”, Franchise Times (September 29, 2022)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association Franchise Law Day (Toronto, September 22, 2022)

Author, “How to conduct proper due diligence when purchasing a resale franchise”, Canadian Franchise Association’s Franchise Canada (June 30, 2022)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association National Convention (Ottawa, April 9-11, 2022)

Co-speaker, Canadian Franchise Association’s Certified Franchise Executives Fran-Guard Seminar (Ottawa, April 8, 2022)

Co-speaker, Canadian Franchise Association’s Certified Franchise Executives Fran-Guard Seminar (Toronto, November 18, 2021)

Speaker, “Plenary Topic: It’s Not Black and White: Tackling the Grey Disclosure Issues”, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, November 30, 2020

Speaker, “Pandemic Drafting Lessons: Re-examining Key Provisions of the Franchise Agreement”, Canadian Franchise Association, September 4, 2020

Attended, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (Orlando, February 8-11, 2020)

Appointed, IFA Education Advisory Group , International Franchise Association (2019 to Present)

Featured, “Growth through franchising not for everyone”, Advocate Daily.com (October 4, 2019)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association Franchise Law Day (Toronto, September 26, 2019)

Featured, “Statement of claim is not a notice of rescission: Adler”, AdvocateDaily.com (August 30, 2019)

Featured, “Case offers ‘good new’ for franchisor’s voluntary disclosure”, AdvocateDaily.com (August 2, 2019)

Quoted, “Trust, money at core of most franchise conflict”, Franchise Times (May 27, 2019)

Attended, International Franchise Association Legal Symposium (Washington, DC, May 5-7, 2019)

Featured, “U.S. franchise expansion into Canada: considerations and risks”, AdvocateDaily.com (May 2, 2019)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association National Convention (Niagara Falls, April 7-9, 2019)

Featured, “U.S. franchisors need to ‘Canadianize’ disclosure documents”, AdvocateDaily.com (April 5, 2019)

Featured, “Franchise success in U.S. doesn’t always translate in Canada”, AdvocateDaily.com (March 11, 2019)

Attended, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (Las Vegas, February 24-27, 2019)

Featured, “Ad fund usage a common fracture point in franchise relationship”, AdvocateDaily.com (February 1, 2019)

Featured, “Franchisee disillusionment can lead to litigation, distrust”, AdvocateDaily.com (December 31, 2018)

Featured, “Motion to strike provides valuable franchise law reminders”, AdvocateDaily.com (November 23, 2018)

Featured, “Franchise distinguished by assistance offered, control exerted”, AdvocateDaily.com (September 17, 2018)

Recognized, The Best Lawyers In Canada, 2019 Edition, as a leader in Franchise Law

Featured, “Before seeking injunctive relief, consider time left in franchise term”, AdvocateDaily.com (July 6, 2018)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association National Convention (Ottawa, April 22-24, 2018)

Featured, “OCA decision not a ‘get out of jail free’ card for franchisors”, AdvocateDaily.com (April 6, 2018)

Round Table Facilitator,  “Effective ways to conduct your due diligence on international prospects”, International Franchise Association 58th Annual Convention (Phoenix, February 10-13, 2018)

Attended, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (Phoenix, February 10-13, 2018)

Featured, “Employment-related regulation not domain of franchisors”, AdvocateDaily.com (February 2, 2018)

Featured, “More room for improvement following franchise law changes”, AdvocateDaily.com (December 13, 2017)

Co-speaker, “Managing the Disclosure Process”, Ontario Bar Association Annual Franchise Law Conference (Toronto, November 16, 2017)

Featured, “New franchise agreements can extend right of rescission”, AdvocateDaily.com (November 6, 2017)

Attended, American Bar Association Annual Forum on Franchising, (Palm Desert, October 18-20, 2017)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association Franchise Law Day (Toronto, September 26, 2017)

Recognized, The Best Lawyers In Canada, 2018 Edition, as a leader in Franchise Law

Featured, “Subjective approach to franchise rescission shut down”, AdvocateDaily.com (July 27, 2017)

Co-author, “Acting for the Canadian Franchise”, American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, Fundamentals of Franchising®  – Canada, Second Edition (2017)

Author, “Legal Issues when Buying a Franchise”, 2018 Canadian Business Franchise Handbook (June, 2017)

Listed, 2017 Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada Directory, Lexpert®, for focus in cross-border Corporate Law and Transactions, specifically in Franchise Law (June, 2017)

Attended, International Trademark Association Annual Meeting (Barcelona, May 20-24, 2017)

Featured, “Uncertainty for franchisors after Raibex decision”, AdvocateDaily.com (May 18, 2017)

Featured, “Franchise laws a mixed blessing”, AdvocateDaily.com (April 11, 2017)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association National Convention (Niagara Falls, April 2-4, 2017)

Speaker, “Legal Aspects to Consider when Franchising your Business”, Canadian Franchise Association’s How to Franchise Your Business Seminar (Toronto, March 2, 2017)

Speaker, “10 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying a Franchise”, The Franchise Show, Canadian Franchise Association (Toronto, October 23, 2016)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association Franchise Law Day (Toronto, September 22, 2016)

Co-author, “Canada’s Competition Law: What Franchises Should Know”, The Franchise Lawyer, American Bar Association Forum on Franchising (Summer, 2016, Vol. 19, No. 3)

Speaker, “Canada – How to Expand your Franchise Concept”, The Franchise Manual Podcast Episode #7 (June 6, 2016)

Attended, International Franchise Association Annual Legal Symposium (Washington, May 15-17, 2016)

Co-speaker, “Negotiating an International Franchise Agreement”, Canadian Franchise Association Webinar (May 11, 2016)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association National Convention (Ottawa, April 17-19, 2016)

Attended, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (San Antonio, February 20-23, 2016)

Speaker, “Negotiating International Franchise Agreements”, Canadian Franchise Association Law Day (Toronto, January 28, 2016)

Attended, Ontario Bar Association Annual Franchise Law Conference (Toronto, November 17, 2015)

Attended, American Bar Association Annual Forum on Franchising (New Orleans, October 14-16, 2015)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association Annual Convention (Niagara Falls, April 12-14, 2015)

Speaker, “Legal Risks & Governance Challenges for Social Media”, Mini-LLB for CIOs Course (Federate Press) (February 26, 2015)

Attended, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (Las Vegas, February 15-18, 2015)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association Law Day (Toronto, January 29, 2015)

Co-speaker, “Judicial and Legislative Update”, Canadian Franchise Association National Convention (April, 2014)

Attended, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (February, 2014)

Attended, Canadian Franchise Association Law Day (January, 2014)

Attended, American Bar Association Forum on Franchising Annual Conference (October, 2013)

Moderator, “How to Franchise Your Business”, Canadian Franchise Association (October, 2013)

Speaker, “What to include in a review of a Disclosure Document package for a prospective franchisee?”, Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Dinner (June, 2013)

Speaker, “Franchise Expansion Across Our Borders: Canada and Mexico”, 35th Annual American Bar Association Forum on Franchising (October, 2012)

Speaker, “Don’t Give Away The Store: Site Selection and Leasing Issues in Franchising”, Canadian Franchise Association Annual Convention (April, 2011)

Co-chair, “Franchise Law Primer: A Practical Roadmap”, The 2011 Ontario Bar Association Institute Franchise Law Section, OBA Franchise Law Section Institute Program (February, 2011)

Speaker, “Bullet-Proofing Your Disclosure Documents”, Canadian Franchise Association Annual Convention (May, 2010)

Author, “The Ethics of Franchising: How Codes of Ethics Compare and What to Consider in Deciding Whether to Subscribe to Them”, American Bar Association Franchise Law Journal (October, 2009)

Co-author, “The Franchise Relationship”, Ontario Bar Association 9th Annual Franchise Law Conference (October, 2009)

Chair, “Creative Financing Solutions”, Canadian Franchise Association (March, 2009)

Speaker, “Legal Aspects of How to Franchise Your Business”, Canadian Franchise Association, (March, 2009)

Roundtable Facilitator, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (2009)

Speaker, “New Franchise Clients”, Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Conference (November, 2008)

Editorial Board Member, Franchise and Distribution Journal (Federated Press) (2008)

Speaker, “Succession: The Legal Issues”, Canadian Franchise Association’s Annual Convention (May, 2008)

Panellist, “Continuing Issues in Franchise Disclosure: Current Thinking and Best Practices, May 2008”, Ontario Bar Association Joint Subcommittee on Franchising Dinner Event (May, 2008)

Speaker, “Resales: The Legal Issues”, Canadian Franchise Association (February, 2008)

Roundtable Facilitator, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (2008)

Speaker, “Alternative Expansion Models”, Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Conference (November, 2007)

Co-chair, “The 8-Minute Franchise Lawyer – Issues in Drafting Franchise Agreements”, Ontario Bar Association Joint Subcommittee on Franchising (May, 2007)

Speaker, “Best Practices in Renewals, Resales, Transfers and Buybacks”, Canadian Franchise Association Law Day (March, 2007)

Roundtable Facilitator, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (2007)

Author, “If franchisors are reluctant to negotiate the terms of their franchise agreements, what is the point of having it reviewed by a franchise lawyer before signing?”, Franchise Canada (September/October, 2006)

Speaker, “Legal Aspects of How to Franchise Your Business”, Canadian Franchise Association (February, 2006)

Speaker, “Signing in the Dotted Line: Legal Issues”, Canadian Franchise Association (February, 2006)

Roundtable Facilitator, International Franchise Association Annual Convention (2006)

Author, “Interested in Franchising Your Business?” (November, 2005)

Co-speaker and Co-author, “Bringing a Foreign Franchise System to Canada”, Ontario Bar Association 5th Annual Franchise Law Conference (September, 2005)

Co-speaker and Co-author, “The Fundamental Aspects of the Franchise Agreement”, Ontario Bar Association 4th Annual Franchise Law Conference (October, 2004)

Author, “Recommendations for Amendment to the Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure), 2000; Part 2″, Franchise and Distribution Journal (July, 2004)

Author, “The U.S. Invasion: A Survey of U.S. Franchise Systems Coming into Canada”, Canadian Franchise Review (April, 2004)

Co-chair, Canadian Franchise Association, Annual Law Forum (April, 2004)

Author, “Recommendations for Amendment to the Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure), 2000; Part 1″, Franchise and Distribution Journal (March, 2004)

Speaker, “How to Franchise Your Business Seminar”, Canadian Franchise Association (February, 2004)

Speaker, “International Franchising”, International Franchise Association 2nd Tuesday Event (January, 2004)

Chair, “Preparing a Bullet-proof Disclosure Document”, Ontario Bar Association Joint Subcommittee on Franchising (December, 2003)

Speaker, “Franchising and the Coptic Community” (November, 2003)

Speaker, “Alternative Methods of Franchise Expansion “, Canadian Franchise Association, Franchise Law Seminar (March, 2003)

Speaker, “Legal Aspects of Franchising in Ontario”, International Franchise Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Vancouver)

Speaker, “Franchising for Investors”, Ontario Government (March, 2003)

Co-speaker and Co-Author, “Drafting Franchise Agreements in the 21st Century”, Ontario Bar Association 3rd Annual Franchise Seminar (February, 2003)

B.A., York University, 1983

B.A., York University, 1984

LL.B., University of Western Ontario, 1987

M.A., University of Toronto, 1998

Certified Franchise Executive (Bestowed by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives of the International Franchise Association) – February, 2010

Gestalt Institute of Toronto – Three Year Leadership Training Certificate, 2015

Ontario, 1990

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