Hospitality Industry Group
We help hospitality companies succeed by providing innovative counsel shaped by extensive industry knowledge and experience.
As one of the nation’s first full-service business law firms to organize and operate through integrated industry teams, our multi-disciplinary members work side-by-side to handle the special needs of the hospitality industry. In every matter, our long involvement with the industry allows us to quickly understand your goals and help you reach them, whether you are developing hotels, creating or working with branded management contracts, franchising as either franchisor or franchisee, dealing with liquor law compliance, repositioning troubled properties, or litigating disputes.
Our extensive transactions and client lists show the impact of our pursuit, over more than fifteen years, of our single-minded purpose and passion: to serve the hospitality industry with the best and most effective counsel in the nation.
Growing your business and portfolio
We counsel hospitality businesses about forming, acquiring and financing businesses and properties, including the specialized needs of condo hotel and mixed use developments.
Developing systems
We help develop and establish the systems that are central to the hospitality industry, including hotel franchise offerings, trademark and website protection, and the creation and development of the unique branded management agreements and documentation required for a branded management company.
Financing hotel developments
We negotiate and document hotel loans, including construction, mezzanine and permanent financing arrangements, conduit loans, and subordination and non-disturbance agreements.
Clarifying your relationships
We negotiate and document relationships between clients and their business partners, customers and suppliers, including strategic alliances, the entity and organizational structure among developers, equity, and brands, franchise system license agreements, hotel management agreements, parking lot and condominium agreements, renovation contracts, hotel supply contracts, technology licenses, and in-house video system contracts.
Building employee relationships
We enhance and manage employment and labor relationships, including responding to efforts to organize, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, developing diversity programs, and defending hotels from employment litigation.
Working with regulators and licensed beverage laws
We navigate federal and state compliance responsibilities, including prosecution of license applications and management of regional and national liquor license portfolios.
Trademark protection
We assist in worldwide IP acquisition and protection. We help you evaluate and register rights to trademarks, domain names, and other forms of IP, we protect trade secrets and proprietary rights, often contained in manuals and web sites, and we draft software and web site development agreements.
Arbitrating, litigating and resolving disputes
Our litigators work closely with clients to avoid problems and resolve disputes promptly and cost effectively. We mediate, arbitrate, and litigate disputes nationwide between hotel companies, owners, and franchisees.
Turning disadvantage into advantage
We are experienced in turnarounds, restructuring and Chapter 11 reorganizations, and have helped restructure hotels throughout the United States.
Our team works with some of the best hoteliers and hotel companies in the industry. We look forward to the opportunity to help you reach your goals.
Representative Hospitality Industry Clients.
Representative Hospitality Industry Matters.
Group Leader: Irvin W. Sandman
Team Members: Clemens H. Barnes, Douglas C. Berry, David M. Byers, William E. Bartholdt, Peachie S. Chan, Robert C. Cumbow, Nicholas D. Drader, K. Michael Fandel, M. Owen Gabrielson, Stephen H. Goodman, Lacey H. Byers, Shin Hoshikawa, Susan M. Johnson, Mark N. Ludwig, Stephanie J. Meier, Mark D. Northrup, Kathleen T. Petrich, Russell C. Savrann, Denny F. Wong
