Stuart A Schwager

Stuart Schwager is a business, franchise and litigation attorney with the Bethesda, Maryland law firm of Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.  He handles general corporate, franchise and transactional matters; business, employment and probate litigation; franchise and antitrust counseling and litigation; and creditors’ rights, employment and real estate law issues for businesses and individuals.

Mr. Schwager's representation extends to advising and representing franchisees and potential franchisees in a variety of matters related to franchise law, such as entry into and renewals of franchise relationships.  Stuart is an experienced petroleum marketing attorney representing franchisee dealers in termination, non-renewal and pricing claims under state and federal laws, including the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA) and Article 2 of the UCC. 

As a litigator, Mr. Schwager has brought, defended and tried a variety of claims in state and federal courts, before administrative agencies and in alternate dispute resolution (ADR) settings such as arbitrations and mediations, including claims alleging breach of contract and fraud, RICO, enforcement of non-competition covenants and shareholder disputes. In the administrative arena, Stuart has represented licensed professionals challenging attempted suspensions and revocations.

Businesses and executives turn to Stuart for counsel in matters concerning enterprise formation, shareholder and employment agreements, commercial transactions, state and federal securities law compliance, and various issues related to corporate law. He also handles mergers and acquisitions, including asset and stock purchases and sales, corporate reorganizations and recapitalizations.

Stuart represents corporate clients in antitrust and competition law matters, including price-fixing and unfair competition claims.

Admitted to practice in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, New York and New Jersey, Stuart has litigated in federal courts, including U.S. District Courts in Maryland, the District of Columbia, the Eastern District of Virginia, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has been involved in appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the 3rd and 4th Circuits. Stuart is also admitted to practice in bankruptcy courts in Maryland, the District of Columbia and the Eastern District of Virginia.