Jonathan E. Perlman, an equity partner in the firm, is a noted franchise, securities and business litigation attorney. He also currently serves as the Court-Appointed Receiver over Creative Capital Consortium LLC and related entities involved in a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme in an action brought by the SEC, and over VGC Corporation of America and related entities in an action brought by the FTC.
Mr. Perlman heads the firm’s class action and securities practice groups, where his emphasis is on franchising and securities issues. He counsels franchisors, distributors and other businesses in a variety of franchise and securities litigation matters, including for brands such as Burger King®, BP®, Tony Roma’s®, Pollo Campero®, Athlete’s Foot®, Nestle®, T.G.I. Friday’s® and Pearle Vision®. Mr. Perlman has brought and defended numerous class and collective class actions involving franchisors-distributors, employers, and investors. He has represented clients in federal and state courts, before the SEC and FINRA, and is a FINRA arbitrator-chairperson.
Mr. Perlman is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a member of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, and the International Franchise Association (“IFA”), and he currently serves on the IFA Legal Symposium Task Force. The Franchise Times magazine has repeatedly selected Mr. Perlman as a “Legal Eagle,” recognizing the top 100 U.S. franchising attorneys. Mr. Perlman has also been recognized in the Who's Who Among U.S. Attorneys, as well as a “Super Lawyer” and “Top Lawyer,” in South Florida in securities litigation.
Mr. Perlman has lectured and been published on numerous franchise and securities law topics, including “Availability and Provability of Damages in Franchise Litigation” (IFA Legal Symposium 2010); “Layoffs in Today’s Economy: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls and Providing Your Employees with Outplacement Opportunities” (IFA Webinar June 2009); “Issues Upon Renewal of the Franchise Agreement” (IFA Roundtable May 2009); “Advanced Issues in Arbitration” (IFA Legal Symposium 2008); “Negotiating Franchise Agreements: Common Pitfalls and Winning Strategies from both the Franchisor’s and Franchisee’s Perspective” (IFA Roundtable 2008); American Bar Association Annual Franchise and Distribution Law Developments (2006); “Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Go in the Water -- The Return of Tortious Interference as a Significant Litigation Claim Against Franchisors” (IFA Legal Symposium 2005); “Highlights of Changes to NASD Arbitration Code Rules” (as NASD Arbitrator Instructor, 2005); “Minimizing Liability for Claims Affecting Franchisors and Franchisees Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act” (2004).
Mr. Perlman serves on the Board of Directors of Florida International University Foundation. He also is a Director of Biscayne Bank, a Florida community bank, and its parent company. He is past President of the South Florida Duke University Club and serves on Duke University’s Admissions Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Jewish Museum of Florida – FIU.
Mr. Perlman earned his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1988, and received his bachelor’s degree, with cum laude and special distinction honors, from Duke University in 1985.
