McKeown, John F.

Nicola McDowall represents both franchisors and franchisees. She understands the business of franchising as well the law. She served as General Counsel of a publicly held franchisor and developed that system from 14 of the United States to nationwide and from 17 countries to 52 countries in five years. She has the ability to provide her clients with a unique perspective on the issues and demands that owners, sellers and buyers of businesses face in the sale, purchase, financing and operation of their businesses. Her practice includes franchise sales, acquisitions and restructuring of franchise systems nationally and internationally, operating system compliance issues, distribution and licensing arrangements, technology development and implementation issues and contract negotiation. Her familiarity with franchising – as an attorney and as a prior franchisor executive – brings a wealth of experience to her clients.

Ms. McDowall’s practice, located in Monarch Beach, California, includes the regulation, development and creation of infrastructure for franchising companies, franchisor and franchisee relations and the resolution of franchisor/franchisee disputes. From the creation of franchise programs, drafting of franchise-related documents, and regulatory compliance to ongoing business counseling, her clients benefit from her extensive knowledge.

Her experience also extends to transactional matters, corporate and commercial acquisitions and transfers, trademark, technology agreements, leasing and real estate law, and venture capital representing individuals, privately and publicly held companies in a variety of industries and professions.

Ms. McDowall has served as General Counsel for two publicly held companies and has worked for top law firms in both the UK and the US. Her resume covers a span of twenty seven years on two continents and provides details of the exact experiences you are looking for, including securities and corporate governance, distribution and reseller channels, technology agreements, management of outside counsel, litigation and IP portfolios, international matters, employment, contract negotiation and thinking on one’s feet.

She is qualified to practice law in the UK and the US as a member in good standing of the California Bar and the UK Law Society.