The ‘pre-eminent franchising firm’, IBB Law is well equipped to handle the entire range of contentious and non-contentious mandates for franchisors, franchisee associations, and multi-unit franchisees. A particularly active industry for the group is the quick-serve restaurant sector, and it is also especially active in the re-sale of franchises. Praised as an ’exceptional lawyer‘ Russell Ford jointly leads the team alongside Jane Masih, who ’has a great reputation within the industry’. Ford boasts significant expertise in representing clients in disputes, while Masih advises clients on master license agreements and sales and acquisitions. Commercial litigator Lynsey Smith is another key member of the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Russell Ford is an exceptional lawyer who I cannot recommend more highly. He is a titan in the franchising world, a hugely knowledgeable and dynamic lawyer, and a sector leader. Even with my 25 year's experience as counsel, I welcome Russell's most valuable input on the franchising disputes that he and I are involved in.'
‘Both Russell Ford and John Miller have been exceptional whilst dealing with us on both legal matters relating to franchising, as well as cyber issues in our business. Fantastic lawyers who really care about their work and their clients.’
- 'Jane Masih has a great reputation within the industry and I have reviewed her franchise agreements on behalf of my own franchisee clients, and they are always well drafted and reflect a reasonable position.’
'I would recommend Lynsey Smith and Alicia West, who have both been hugely impressive.’
‘The team are highly knowledgeable and there is not much they have not seen or dealt with in terms of the tricky world of franchising! They offer pragmatic and commercially viable advice, never pushing the client down a road solely to earn fees if the suggested avenue has a poor chance of success. They clearly explain the risks and benefits of any strategy.’
‘IBB is, in my view, a pre-eminent franchising firm with huge amounts of experience in contentious and non-contentious matters, fielding an exceptionally strong team offering from junior associate to partner, which makes the firm extremely attractive to clients.'
‘They are the most experienced franchising practice in the country by some way. Whilst plenty of other firms have individual, or a few, specialists in this field, there is no other offering in the market like this one.’
‘Commerciality is important to most clients in litigation but never more so than in this area of law. What makes this firm stand out is that they really do get it. A frankly stellar approach to using the full panoply of legal arguments whilst also achieving the right result at whatever point in litigation that may be.'
Key clients
- Dwyer (UK) Franchising Limited
- Tim Hortons
- Puro Ventures Limited
- Helen O’Grady Drama Academy
- AIMS Partnership Limited
- Anytime Fitness
- Bluebird Care Franchises
- Walfinch Ltd
- Spectrum Franchising
- Caremark Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Tim Hortons on the proposed expansion of Tim Hortons brand through franchising.
- Advised Helen O’Grady Drama Academy during its rebrand in the UK to ‘Drama Kids’ on brand protection issues and trade mark registration.
- Represented Dwyer UK Franchising in litigation against Fredbar and another, following a Court of Appeal hearing to obtain substantial damages and indemnity costs.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Russell Ford
IBB LawPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jane Masih, Russell Ford