This is a complex question to which the only good message board answer is probably a very unsatisfying "it depends". I do not see any way around...

The simplest thing to say is that it's the trademark license that will first attract the attention of your licensee's attorney or a franchise...

Speaking in broad strokes here, but yes, a partnership can exist without signed documents. I’m not saying it does exist here because that is a...

I completely agree with my colleagues who have urged you to seek out a FRANCHISE attorney.

This is going to require a fuller exploration of the facts and the contract language in question. Your objective is understandable, of course. ...

I believe Burgerim filed for bankruptcy protection recently.

Show me where it says that. Dozens of attorneys claim service after complaint CANNOT be performed by a party to lawsuit. Myth?

Civil Rule 4 states that service must be by someone “other than a party”.

Need to know which "area" of law in order to search for the right attorney

Sounds like the old school employee duty of loyalty is involved. I think you would be talking about contract law/contract litigation, even if the...

These facts suggest you may have grounds to void the contract. I do think you need to get a lawyer involved in order to fully assess the situation...

What recourse do we have we don't want to be kick out of the organization?

I agree with Nancy, but don’t wait too long before getting a franchise lawyer involved if you don’t see results.