Gerald A. Cook

Gerald A. Cook is an attorney in Blumling & Gusky’s Corporate and Transactional Group. He focuses his practice on counseling franchisors, distributors and licensors in franchising, licensing and distributorship transactions, including regulatory compliance with franchise laws and handling disputes and dispute resolutions.

Mr. Cook has counseled clients in all areas of franchising from single unit programs to area development programs. He also handles intellectual property matters for his clients nationally and internationally. He has developed and drafted franchise disclosure documents and related agreements for franchise systems in various industries; handled state franchise registrations and disclosures; and spearheaded dispute resolution. Mr. Cook was General Counsel for a publically traded national and international franchise company. He has enforced post-termination obligations and covenants in terminated franchise agreements and litigated franchise disputes. He develops system standards compliance; default and termination procedures for franchisors; negotiates and completes the sale of international development rights and international product distribution rights through exclusive distributorships, master franchise and area development agreements. Attorney Cook has also negotiated and drafted novel strategic business alliance agreements, co-branding agreements, and dual host franchise agreements in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. He recently obtained a dismissal of a lawsuit against a franchisor based on acts and omissions of its franchisee.