Fourteen lawyers from Baker McKenzie's Chambers Global Market Leaders, Band 1 ranked Franchising Practice, have been named 2025 "Legal Eagles" by Franchise Times. This marks more than 10 consecutive years that members of the practice have earned this prestigious recognition.
This year’s awardees include partner Abhi Dubé, who has been named to the Legal Eagles Hall of Fame. He joins partners Will Woods and Mike Santa Maria, who have previously achieved Hall of Fame status. Also on this year’s list of Legal Eagles is newly promoted partner Brent Stewart.
The Legal Eagles distinction is awarded to “star legal professionals in the franchise industry” in the United States and Canada. Franchise Times considers nominations and recommendations from clients, peers and other legal professionals in its annual selection process.
The 2025 Baker McKenzie Franchise Times Legal Eagles are:
- Will Woods – Partner, Dallas
- Kevin Maher – Partner, Dallas
- Michael (Mike) Santa Maria – Partner, Dallas
- Mohammad (Mo) Alturk – Partner, Dallas
- Richard White – Partner, Dallas
- Nancy Sims – Partner, Los Angeles
- Abhishek (Abhi) Dubé – Partner, Dallas
- Bryan White – Partner, Dallas
- Brent Stewart – Partner, Dallas
- Kristen Cherry – Associate, Dallas
- Luke Christianson – Associate, Dallas
- Rocio Dongo – Associate, Dallas
- Michael Boardman – Associate, Los Angeles
- Umema Syed – Associate, Dallas
Baker McKenzie's Franchise, Distribution & Global Brand Expansion team has decades of experience advising on the structuring and operation of franchise and other brand systems. Our lawyers work with brands expanding to almost every commercialized jurisdiction in the world and are intimately familiar with the franchise and other commonly-applicable laws in each jurisdiction. We also have the knowledge and experience to provide holistic planning, structuring and implementation advice – from tax, trademark and corporate structuring, to local labor and employment, to real estate and contracts, to competition, anti-corruption, disputes and compliance issues.
Read more about the Legal Eagles recognition here.