Prominent Attorney Increases National Trial Experience
of Firm’s Distribution and Franchise Practice
Washington, D.C. – LAWFUEL – Press Release Service – Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Michael J. Lockerby joined the firm as a partner in the Litigation Department. The addition of Lockerby is the latest step in Foley & Lardner’s strategic plan to develop national practices in niche areas, including franchise, distributor and dealer litigation.
“Mike is a highly respected litigator who has developed a national distribution and franchise practice that will add significant depth and breadth to our current group of attorneys focused on this area,” said Jon Wilson, chair of Foley & Lardner’s Litigation Department. “His tremendous amount of litigation experience includes dozens of jury trials, preliminary injunction hearings and bench trials, and appellate advocacy in state and federal courts throughout the country. This experience will enhance our practice both nationally and in Washington, D.C.”
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Lockerby focuses his practice on franchise, distributor and dealer litigation, antitrust and trade regulation litigation, trademark infringement and unfair competition litigation, trade secrets and proprietary rights litigation, the structuring of e-commerce distribution systems and resolution of Internet domain name disputes. He also negotiates and drafts license and VAR agreements, e-commerce, distributor and dealer agreements, franchise agreements and Uniform Franchise Offering Circulars. In addition, Lockerby provides advice and counseling, including training, compliance and audit programs, in the areas of antitrust, franchising and distribution, and intellectual property law.
Lockerby has developed a national and international franchising and distribution practice. He has been lead counsel for manufacturers and franchisors facing massive litigation nationwide. This litigation has resulted from business decisions to impose new design, construction and service requirements on franchisees; to consolidate overlapping distribution networks; to rebrand or discontinue products and franchise systems; and to change distribution channels. Using federal trademark and other intellectual property law, he has helped defeat claims for violation of various state franchise and dealer protection laws. He also frequently litigates claims for intellectual property infringement, violation of antitrust laws and issues raised by franchisee and dealer associations. Examples of clients for which he has handled such matters include Molson Breweries U.S.A., the Volvo Construction Equipment Group, Arby’s and Papa John’s International, as well as manufacturers and franchisors in numerous other industries, including petroleum refining and hospitality.
He has served on the board of governors of the Antitrust, Franchise and Trade Regulation Section and the International Practice Section of the Virginia State Bar, and chaired the Franchise and Dealership Committee of the ABA Section of Antitrust Law. On behalf of the ABA Forum on Franchising, he has served as editor-in-chief of two books, The Franchise Trade Secrets Handbook and the Franchise Law Bibliography. For the past ten years, he has been a member of the editorial board of the Franchise Law Journal and a prolific author and speaker before various bar and trade associations, domestically and overseas. Lockerby was recently
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named a “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times, and is listed in the International Who’s Who of
Franchise Lawyers. He was voted among Virginia’s top lawyers in civil litigation and information technology/intellectual property law in surveys conducted by Virginia Business magazine.
Lockerby earned his juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Foley & Lardner LLP provides the full range of corporate legal counsel. Our attorneys understand today’s most complex business issues, including corporate governance, securities enforcement, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property counseling and litigation, outsourcing and information technology, labor and employment, and tax. The firm offers total solutions in the automotive, emerging technologies, energy, entertainment and media, financial services, food, golf and resort services, insurance, health care, life sciences, nanotechnology, and sports industries.
