News
UB Greensfelder Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 List
August 20, 2026
A nationally recognized franchising lawyer, Leonard has extensive experience representing national, regional and local franchisors and distributors. He advises clients on alternatives to franchising, structuring franchise and distribution programs, and navigating franchise terminations and transfers. Leonard has assisted start-up and established franchisors, as well as franchisees and franchisee associations.
Leonard also helps clients comply with state and federal laws and regulations, defend state enforcement actions, and resolve franchisor-franchisee disputes, including mediations and alternative dispute resolution matters. Leonard works closely with litigators on trial strategy and alternative dispute resolution and has represented companies and individuals on legal matters such as real estate transactions and mergers and acquisitions of franchise companies. Leonard has extensive experience helping clients resolve their disputes through his unique style of mediation—marrying his deep knowledge of the nuances of franchising businesses gained from his decades-long career representing both franchisors and franchisees, and his commitment to ethics in negotiations and understanding of the importance of strong business relationships.
Leonard also frequently assists lenders who are loaning money to businesses that are acquiring other franchise companies.
A frequent lecturer and writer on franchise topics, Leonard has spoken for groups including the American Bar Association Forum Committee on Franchising and the International Franchise Association and has written for The Franchise Law Journal and the ABA Journal. He is a certified mediator and former municipal judge and is a member in good standing of the mediation and arbitration panels of Forum.
Leonard has been ranked nationally in franchise law by Chambers USA continuously since 2010, drawing acclaim for his skills as a creative thinker and strong communicator.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (B.S., 1969)
- Washington University School of Law (J.D., 1972)
- Missouri
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- International Franchise Association (Legal Symposium Planning Committee, 2011-2012)
- American Bar Association Forum Committee on Franchising (Governing Committee, 2002-2005)
- North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) (Franchise Project Group Industry Advisory Committee, 2007-2021; Emeritus Member, 2024 – present)
- University of Missouri School of Law, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (Certified Mediator)
- Law Journal Newsletter's "Franchising Business & Law Alert" (Editorial Board)
- Ranked nationally in Franchising by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2010-2026)
- 1851 Franchise Top Franchise Lawyers You Should Know (2026)
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America®, Franchise Law (1995-2027)
- Named Best Lawyers® Franchise Law "Lawyer of the Year" in the St. Louis area (2012-2016; 2025)
- 1851 Franchise Top Franchise Legal Players (2024; 2025)
- Who's Who Legal: Franchise (2017-2022); USA Thought Leader (2023)
- Lewis G. Rudnick Award, ABA Forum on Franchising (2021)
- Franchise Times, Legal Eagles (2011-2020)
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly, "100 St. Louisans You Should Know to Succeed in Business" (2015-2016)
- "Drafting and Negotiating Franchise Agreements," Best Program - ABA Forum on Franchising (2015)
- Named to the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers list, Franchise/Dealership (2005-2014)
- The International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers
- Who's Who in the Midwest
- Who's Who in American Law
- AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
