Iris is a principal at Gray Plant Mooty and member of the Franchise & Distribution and Litigation practice groups.
Iris represents clients in federal and state court cases pertaining to franchise disputes, contract disputes, employment law violations, and other types of commercial civil litigation. She has also represented clients in criminal matters.
In the franchise context, she has handled matters involving underreporting of sales, unapproved products, tax fraud, immigration and employment violations, defamation, trademark violations, and covenants not to compete and, in addition, has drafted numerous settlement agreements on behalf of franchisors. She has also handled a number of standards enforcement cases. Additionally, Iris has provided advice on franchise relationships and has counseled an association of marine manufacturers concerning manufacturer/distributor issues.
Iris is fluent in Spanish.
Experience
- Prevailed on summary judgment on behalf of a franchisor client on franchisee’s claims that franchisor had, among other things, discriminated in violation of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and breached the franchise agreement in requiring an English Language Proficiency Assessment (“ELPA”) as a condition for the transfer of a franchised shop to two buyers. De Walsche v. Togo’s Eateries, Inc., 567 F. Supp. 2d 1198 (C.D. 2008).
- Won a defense verdict for a franchisor client in Florida after a six-day jury trial in which the franchisee-plaintiff sought $2.5 in lost profit damages alleging that the franchisor had delayed the construction of his shop. 330545 Donuts, Inc. v. Dunkin’ Donuts Inc., No. 99-7002 CACE (18) (Fla. Cir. Ct. July 2007).
- Awarded preliminary injunction on behalf of a franchisor alleging breach of contract and trademark infringement based on franchisee’s violations of the franchisor’s health, safety, and sanitation standards.
- Prevailed on summary judgment, as a part of a trial team at a previous firm, on behalf of a client against claims that the client had discriminated against an employee on account of her gender and pregnancy status.
- At previous firm, represented various wireless and broadcast clients on regulatory matters before the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
- Represented clients on a pro bono basis on asylum and other immigration matters before the U.S. Department of Immigration/Homeland Security.
Publications
- "Mandating English Language Proficiency for Franchisees," ABA Franchise Law Journal, Volume 28, Number 3, coauthor with Eric Yaffe, Winter 2009.
- "NMMA’s Dealer Report: A Survey of State Marine Dealer Laws," National Marine Manufacturers Association, 2007
- "The Warranty Report: A Survey of Marine-Specific State Warranty Statutes," National Marine Manufacturers Association, 2004, 2006
- The GPMemorandum, containing updates on franchise and distribution law developments, associate editor
Education
- American University Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2000
Journal of Gender, Social Policy and the Law, member and publications line editor, 1998-2000 - State University of New York at Fredonia, B.A., cum laude
Bar Admissions
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for DC
- Fourth and Eleventh Circuits
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- Virginia
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Hispanic Bar Association
- International Franchise Association
- The District of Columbia Bar
- Virginia State Bar
- Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- Women’s Foodservice Forum
- Women’s Franchise Network