Frank is a principal at Gray Plant Mooty and practices in the areas of international law, franchise, and mergers and acquisitions. Over the last 25 years, he has assisted companies of all sizes, including numerous Fortune 500 companies, with major projects of international expansion. He also serves on the board of directors of several corporations. He chairs Gray Plant Mooty’s International team.
Frank has lectured frequently on international business issues before international audiences in the United States, Japan, Europe, and Asia. His articles on international distribution arrangements, international joint ventures, and international franchising have been published by the American Bar Association-American Law Institute, the International Bar Association, the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the International Franchise Association, and have been translated into many foreign languages. He served as a private-sector advisor to the U.S. State Department’s delegation to meetings of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Laws (UNIDROIT), Rome, Italy, to finalize a draft of model franchise law.
In 1998, he accompanied Governor Arne Carlson and University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof to serve as advisor to the Trade Commission to China.
Presentations
- “Fundamentals of International Trade,” American Law Institute-American Bar Association, Toronto, Canada, May 2008; Washington, DC, Dec. 2006. Specific speeches:
- “International Franchising and Licensing”
- “Contracts with Foreign Representatives”
- “International Joint Ventures”
- “Laws and Ethical Standards Governing International Business Conduct,” The 28th Annual International Business Law Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association, April 2004
- “Franchising in the People’s Republic of China,” International Bar Association Annual International Business Law Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Sept. 1998
- “Doing Business in China,” Annual Legal Symposium of the Minnesota State Bar Association, May 1998
- “A Look at Licensing in China,” Annual Seminar of the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, Minneapolis, MN, Feb. 1997
- “Selected Methods of Doing Business in China,” Doing Business in the New China, Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 1996
- “Joint Ventures in China,” Minnesota State Bar Association Annual International Legal Symposium, April 1995
Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 1968
- University of Wisconsin, M.B.A., 1965
- Northwestern University, B.A., 1963
Professional Activities
- Panel of Arbitrators of the China International Economic & Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), Beijing, China
- International Bar Association, International Franchising Committee, senior vice chair
Honors and Distinctions
- The International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, 2008-2009
Community Involvement
- Japan American Society of Minnesota, director
- Midwest Asia Center, Executive Committee, past member
- Minnesota International Center, Executive Committee, past member