Marisa counsels franchisors, licensors, and manufacturers on transactional, regulatory and intellectual property issues involved in developing and growing franchise programs.  She represents franchisors ranging in size from start-ups to category leaders in connection with the development and maintenance of their franchise programs.  Marisa has extensive experience in structuring and revamping franchise programs, drafting franchise, license and area development agreements and counseling franchisors with regard to regulatory (FDD) compliance issues.  She also represents franchisors with regard to corporate transactions, contract negotiations, master franchise programs, captive market development, and dispute resolution matters.

Marisa also counsels franchisors regarding all aspects of the franchise relationship, including operational compliance, system standards, default and termination strategies and franchise workouts.

Marisa counsels trademark owners on brand protection strategies and handles domestic and international trademark portfolios. She regularly represents our clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in trademark prosecution actions and handles trademark-licensing transactions around the world.

She regularly trains franchisor executives with respect to franchise sales, relationship and regulatory compliance issues.

Marisa has been named a "Legal Eagle" by Franchise Times magazine.

 

 

Publications (as author or co-author)

 

What’s in a Name?  A Lot:  Trademark and Brand Protection Strategies for Franchisors

19 Business Law Today (Amer. Bar Assoc.), No. 4

March/April 2010

 

Legal Considerations In Expanding a Business through Franchising

July 2007 | The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel

 

Federal Trade Commission Amends Franchise Rule

January 26, 2007 | Franchise Alert

 

Taking The Plunge—Are You Ready To Franchise?

Winter 2006 | Small Business Opportunities

 

Retool Your Franchise Program to Attract and Retain Women Franchisees

June 2004 | Franchising World

 

The Madrid System and a Streamlined Process for Registering Trademarks Around the World
Winter 2003 | The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 6, No. 3

 

 

Speeches and Presentations (as presenter, moderator, or co-presenter) 

 

 

Financial Performance Representations
Roundtable Facilitator
International FA Legal sym. | May 2011

 

Franchising Your Business
International Franchise Expo | April 2011

 

Financial Performance Representations

IFA Convention | February 2011

 

Franchising Your Business
November 2010 | West Coast Expo

 

Franchising Your Business
International Franchise Expo
April 2010 | Washington, D.C.

 

Financial Performance Representations
International Franchise Expo
April 2010 | Washington, D.C.

 

Franchising Your Business
West Coast Franchise Expo
October 2009 | Los Angeles, California

Financial Performance Representations
West Coast Franchise Expo
October 2009 | Los Angeles, California

Franchising Your Business

International Franchise Expo
April 2009 | Washington, D.C.

 

Financial Performance Representations

International Franchise Expo
April 2009 | Washington, D.C.

Trademarks and Intellectual Property
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
March 2009 | Tyson's Corner, Virginia 
 

Franchising Your Business
West Coast Franchise Expo
November 2008 | Los Angeles, California

 

Helping Franchise Systems Succeed: Avoiding the Pitfalls Encountered in the Early Stages of Franchising
41st International Franchise Association Legal Symposium
May 2008 | Washington, DC

 

Earnings Claims and Financial Performance Representations

International Franchise Expo
April 2008 | Washington, DC

 

Franchising Your Business

International Franchise Expo
April 2008 | Washington, DC

 

Franchisor/Franchisee Communications

48th Annual International Franchise Association Convention

February 9-12, 2008 | Orlando, FL


Financial Performance Representations: The New Earnings Claim

The West Coast Franchise Expo

October 19-21, 2007 | Los Angeles, CA

 

Franchising Your Business

The West Coast Franchise Expo

October 19-21, 2007 | Los Angeles, CA

 

Alternatives to Single Unit Franchising

40th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium

May 7, 2007 | Washington, DC

 

Franchising Your Business

International Franchise Expo

April 1, 2007 | Washington, DC

 

Earnings Claims

International Franchise Expo

March 30, 2007 | Washington, DC

 

Franchisor and Franchisee Communications Roundtable

47th Annual International Franchise Association's Convention

February 24-27, 2007 | Las Vegas, NV

 

Franchising Your Business

International Franchise Expo

June 2-4, 2006 | Washington, DC

 

What Every Franchisor Needs to Know About Privacy and Security

Wiley Rein & Fielding Teleconference

April 20, 2006 | Washington, DC

 

Registration and Franchise Law

38th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium

May 8-10, 2005 | Washington, DC

 

The Legal Aspects of Franchising Your Business

West Coast Franchise Expo

October 15, 2004 | Los Angeles, CA

 

Unauthorized Transfers

37th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium

May 24, 2004 | Washington, DC

 

Legal Aspects of Franchising a Business

International Franchise Expo

May 1, 2004 | Washington, DC

 

Creative Solutions for Dealing with Financially Troubled Franchisees

International Franchise Association's 44th Annual Convention

March 9, 2004 | Las Vegas, NV

 

Franchising Your Business

International Franchise Expo

April 12, 2003 | Washington, DC

 

Dealing with Financially Troubled Franchisees

International Franchise Association Convention: Business Solutions Roundtable

February 15, 2003 | San Antonio, TX

 

Franchising and Licensing Your Spa

Spacifically 2000

September 28, 2000 | Los Angeles, CA

 

 

 

Education

 

  • J.D., Marshall-Wythe School of Law, The College of William & Mary; Order of the Coif
  • B.A., University of Virginia

 

 

Law Journals

 

  • Member, William & Mary Law Review

 

 

Bar & Court Admissions

 

  • District of Columbia Bar
  • Virginia Bar

 

 

Association Memberships

 

  • American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising
  • International Franchise Association
  • Vet Fran Committee, International Franchise Association
  • Co-Chair Women’s Franchise Network, Washington, D.C./Baltimore, MD

 


Honors

 

  • Franchise Times - "Legal Eagles"

 

 

 
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Marisa D. Faunce
Plave Koch PLC
Suite 230
12355 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, Virginia  20191
t - 703.774.1214
f - 703.774.1201
e - mfaunce@plavekoch.com

Marisa D. Faunce

• We believe in looking out for our clients' best interest.
• We believe that our clients need value for their legal dollars.
• We believe our clients need real-world answers to address real-world challenges.
• We believe that our clients want a team of lawyers dedicated to making their business thrive.
   
© 2011 Plave Koch PLC • 12355 Sunrise Valley Drive • Suite 230 • Reston, VA 20191 • Ph: 703.774.1200 Fx: 703.774.1201