
Harris J. Chernow
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T: 215.495.6532
F: 215.495.6600
2929 Arch St 13th Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
700 E Gate Dr #101
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054
Harris J. Chernow is a partner and chair of the firm’s national Franchise & Distribution Practice Group and an active member of the Business Services Group and Entertainment, Hospitality & Sports Law Group. He has a national practice representing franchisors, franchisees, and distributors in many sectors, including in the hotel and hospitality industry. His experience is complemented by his significant business and corporate practice, including complex mergers and acquisitions, retail development, executive employment, and leasing and real estate.
Much more than a franchise and hospitality lawyer, Harris is a well-respected corporate/business lawyer who improves his clients’ companies by delivering guidance through their business transactions and disputes.
With clients ranging from start-ups to large, long-established companies, Harris has worked with an array of businesses. His franchise practice extends across a range of industries, representing franchisors/brands, single and multi-unit franchisees/owners, area developers, master franchisees, franchisee associations, distributors, and private equity-backed businesses seeking to expand through franchising or distribution.
Harris is also sought after for his dispute resolution acumen in franchise, hospitality, and commercial business disputes. He has a reputation for being strong but reasonable. Harris and the firm’s Litigation Group are often called upon to represent clients in litigation, arbitration, and mediation cases.
Due to Harris’ reputation for being knowledgeable, fair, and unbiased, he is frequently appointed as an arbitrator and mediator in franchise, hospitality, and commercial matters.
When clients consult Harris, they work with an attorney who prioritizes their objectives and takes a pragmatic and effective approach. Harris’ general practice:
- Day-to-day and overall franchise, hospitality, and business law counseling for franchisors, franchisees, brands, and owners and businesses in general
- Franchise Disclosure Documents and related agreements and compliance
- Asset, stock, and merger and acquisition transactions
- General business/corporate transactions
- Hotel Management Agreements and related agreements
- Licensing agreements and co-branding arrangements
- Franchise system start-ups
- Business start-ups
- Contract negotiation and review
- Consulting and independent contractor agreements
- Financing arrangements
- Confidentiality and non-compete agreements
- Real estate development and leasing
- Trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and technology transfer
- Dispute Resolution – franchise and business litigation, arbitration, and mediation
J.D., Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, (1988)
B.B.A., Temple University Fox School of Business and Management , (1985)
New Jersey
U.S. District Court, District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals
American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising - Program Chair of the 30th Annual Forum on Franchising; Served as Finance Officer of the Forum on Franchising; Elected to Governing Committee as 1 of 11 from the ABA Forum; Governing Committee Liaison to Petroleum Marketing Group; Governing Committee Liaison to Solo/Small Firm Group; Governing Committee Liaison to Paralegal/Legal Administrators Group; Forum’s representative to the CPR National Franchise Mediation Program; Appointed to the Nominating Committees for the Board of Governors; Chair of the Forum’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee; Forum’s representative for the ABA’s Student Outreach Program; Appointed to Forum’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Division; Annual Forum Program Liaison; Appointed to Forum’s Publications Committee; Publication Liaison for Covenants Against\Competition in Franchise Agreements (second edition); Publication Liaison for “Fundamentals of Franchising” (second edition), Appointed to the Nominating Committees for the Governing Committee
International Franchise Association - Legal Symposium Task Force Member; Speaker
Center for Public Resources Institute for Dispute Resolution - Distinguished Franchise Panel Neutral; Franchise Mediation Committee Member
American Association of Franchisees and Dealers - Past Chair of the Legal Education Subcommittee; Speaker at Annual Conventions and Forums
National Franchise Mediation Program - Steering Committee Member
American Franchisee Association - Speaker at Legal Symposia
New Jersey State Bar Association - Franchise Law Committee Co-Chair
Pennsylvania Bar Association - Franchise and Business Sections Member
Montgomery County Bar Association - Vice Chair of the Franchise Law Committee; Past Chair of the Franchise Law Committee
Philadelphia Bar Association - Franchise and Business Sections Member
Georgetown Law School Hotel & Lodging Summit Advisory & Planning Committee Member