The law firm of Gray Plant Mooty is pleased to announce that Carl E. Zwisler has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a principal in its Franchise & Distribution practice group.
Zwisler represents franchisors, manufacturers, and investors in structuring, negotiating, and enforcing domestic and international franchise, licensing, distribution, and acquisition agreements. He also assists executives and general counsel in more than 65 industries or industry segments with creative solutions for developing and implementing business expansion strategies. With more than 33 years of intensive franchising experience, Zwisler has worked with clients in every phase of domestic and international franchising, licensing, and distribution programs, frequently advising companies entering the U.S. market and U.S. companies expanding abroad.
"With Carl's specialized skill set involving both complex and international franchise transactions, and his unmatched experience within the franchise community, we believe that we could not have found anyone who better fits our practice group's sweet spot for dynamic client service," says Kirk Reilly, co-chair of GPM’s Franchise & Distribution practice group. “Carl’s decision to join our D.C. office is an indication of our group's ongoing commitment to providing our franchisor clients with the best expertise and depth in the franchise legal industry.”
A leading authority on international master franchising, since 1992 Zwisler has chaired two-day symposia on international master franchising at the annual International Franchise Expos, and he authored the book, Master Franchising: Selecting, Negotiating, and Operating a Master Franchise (Commerce Clearing House, 1999). He has also authored scores of articles and presentations on international franchising.
Zwisler served as the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) chief staff counsel or general counsel from 1975-1983 and later chaired the IFA’s Supplier Forum and served on the IFA’s board of directors. He has been recognized in Who’s Who Legal, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers and, in 2005, was the first lawyer to receive the IFA’s Distinguished Service Award. He was a founding member of the American Bar Association Franchising Forum’s International Franchising and Distribution Law Division.
“When I first talked with Gray Plant Mooty, I knew it had a large and respected franchise team,” says Zwisler. “But what really impressed me about the firm is the priority it places on franchising and the resources it devotes to serving franchise clients. I know of no other firm of its size and scope that is as committed to franchising. I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the expansion of GPM’s international franchising practice and to be joining such a dynamic group of people.”
Prior to joining GPM, Zwisler practiced in the Washington, D.C. office of Haynes and Boone, LLP. He earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and his A.B. from the University of Notre Dame.