Background & Experience Michael Laidhold joined Plave Koch as a partner in April 2007.  He focuses his practice on domestic and international franchising, licensing, general dealership and distribution matters. Michael's work has included counseling clients on various commercial, licensing, franchise, corporate and business development matters across a diverse range of industries.  Michael’s experience includes structuring new franchise programs and restructuring existing franchise programs; dealership and distribution relationships; re-branding franchise systems; drafting and negotiating franchise, licensing, and distribution agreements, asset purchase agreements, and related commercial contracts; terminating and renewing franchise relationships; establishing the business parameters of the franchise program (including supply and distribution relationships); counseling clients with respect to compliance with state, federal, and international regulatory issues; and assisting in dispute resolution proceedings.  He has also been involved in working with conventional dealership businesses, such as those involved in the distribution of medical parts and surgical supplies. Michael was honored for his work on pro bono matters.  He has also authored and co-authored several articles on branding, licensing, franchising, and distribution issues, and spoken on those topics at industry seminars.

Publications (as author or co-author) New Business Opportunity Rule Proposed by FTC October 2006 | The Franchise Handbook The FACT Act and its Effect on Franchising June 2004 | Franchise World Congress Holds Hearing on the FTC’s Franchise Rule June 2002 | Piper Rudnick FranCast Private Party Access to the WTO 12 Transnational Lawyer 427 (1999)

Speeches and Presentations (as presenter, moderator, or co-presenter) Franchise Agreement Drafting: The Essentials IFA’s 42nd Annual Legal Symposium May 2009 | Washington, DC

Education University of Pittsburgh Law School J.D. University of Pittsburgh Master of Public and International Affairs Miami University B.A.