Abby L. Risner

Abby regularly defends franchisors on claims related to franchise and distribution. Her litigation experience includes allegations related to breach of franchise agreements, FDD disclosures, fraud, and the termination of franchisees and distributors. Abby has first-chair experience litigating on behalf of clients nationwide in court and arbitration (including international arbitration). Combining her litigation experience with her knowledge of the franchise industry, she has been successful in having franchisors dismissed from putative class actions at the outset of a case.

She advises clients facing disputes that arise as they bring their products and services to market. Abby is experienced in advising clients on the federal and state franchise and distribution laws, including sales representative, business opportunity, and industry-specific laws, and the related disputes that arise from those relationships.

Abby is active in the ABA’s Forum on Franchising and is on the Steering Committee for the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Division. In addition to being a member of the ABA’s Forum on Franchising and International Franchise Association, she frequently writes on franchise topics. Her most recent publications include “Recent Decisions Provide Guidance on Drafting and Enforcing Indemnity Provisions in Franchise Contracts” and “Is it Time to Revisit Your Pricing? The Renewed Interest in Price Discrimination Claims.”