Harris J. Chernow

Harris J. Chernow, Chair of Reger Rizzo & Darnall’s national Franchise & Distribution Practice Group, and member of the Firm’s Entertainment, Hospitality & Sports Law Group and Corporate Business Services Group, concentrates his practice on franchise and business matters. Mr. Chernow prides himself in taking a sincere interest in each and every client, big or small. He has developed a national franchise practice representing franchisors, franchisees and distributors of all industries, along with his corporate and business, retail development and leasing practices. Throughout his career, Mr. Chernow has been dedicated to providing comprehensive, practical, solution-oriented legal advice and franchise and business counseling by combining innovative thinking with a solid foundation in the law.

Mr. Chernow’s national franchise practice includes franchise transactions, including representation with M&A franchise related transactions including venture capital and private equity structuring of acquisitions, matters including franchise due diligence, negotiation of purchase and sale transactions, equity and debt investments, structuring of transactions for purchase/sale of franchise and distribution for multi-unit enterprises and systems, valuation and ownership structuring issues, financing and real estate related issues. The general corporate and business practice has an emphasis on franchising, licensing, distribution, corporate structuring and retail development. He represents leaders (and start-ups) in the franchising and retail distribution industries throughout the United States, and his clients include franchisors, single and multi-unit franchisee owners, area developers, master franchisees, franchisee associations, distributors, private equity, and venture capital businesses desiring to expand through franchising and distribution systems.

Additionally, a significant part of his practice includes representing parties in the hotel hospitality industry dealing with matters concerning franchise and licensing agreements, management agreements, the day to day operations. In addition, his practice involves financial service companies, manufacturers and service-oriented companies, as well as business and individuals in a wide range of legal matters, including general business matters, real estate, employment, financial services, mergers and acquisitions, day-to-day counseling and dispute resolution.

In addition, Mr. Chernow has an emphasis with dispute resolution matters, including franchise and commercial disputes. Due to his background, Mr. Chernow is called upon to represent clients in all facets of dispute resolution- litigation, arbitration, and mediation. As a result of his reputation, Mr. Chernow is frequently appointed as an arbitrator and mediator in franchise and commercial matters as he is known as being fair and unbiased.