Katherine L. Wallman
- Biography
- Publications & Speaking
- Memberships
Kate Wallman is a Certified Specialist in Franchise & Distribution Law as designated by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and is a Shareholder in our Franchise & Distribution, Corporate, and Intellectual Property Practice Groups. She is a transactional attorney representing clients in all aspects of registration, ownership, operation, transfers, purchases and sales of franchises – domestically and globally.
Ms. Wallman prepares and reviews Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs); provides counsel regarding regulatory compliance, acquisitions and dispositions of franchised and independent units and businesses; and handles commercial transactions involving franchisors and franchisees. She also advises franchisors and franchisees regarding:
- Franchise Disclosure Documents
- Franchise System Operations and Ongoing Compliance Issues
- Franchise Agreements
- Area Development Agreements
- Franchise Registration and Renewal
- Contract Evaluation
- Franchised and Independent Unit Acquisitions
- Non-Disclosure Agreements
- Protection of Trade Secrets
- Termination or Non-Renewal
- Territorial Rights
Before joining Lewitt Hackman, Ms. Wallman served as in-house counsel, and then senior counsel, for DineEquity, Inc. (now Dine Brands Global), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, and IHOP restaurants. In this capacity, she negotiated and finalized contracts for transactions in the United States, including traditional and non-traditional franchise agreements, multi-unit development agreements and franchise registrations.
She also worked for law firms in Washington D.C. as both a business transaction and litigation attorney, handling franchise and intellectual property matters.
Ms. Wallman earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College, a Master of Science in European and International Politics from the University of Edinburgh, and her Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington D.C. She graduated cum laude, in the top 20 percent of her class at the Columbus School of Law. She also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Bruce E. Kasold of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
An active member of the State Bar of California and the District of Columbia Bar, Ms. Wallman also belongs to the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. She is licensed to practice in both California and Washington, D.C.
Publications
- Selected, Women of Influence: Attorneys, The San Fernando Valley Business Journal - June 2022
- Co-Author, Accidental Franchises: What You Don't Know Can Hurt Your Client, Daily Journal, July 2019
- Co-Presenter, Ready to Franchise? Here’s What You Need to Know, August 15, 2018
- Author, Social Media and Common Ethical Problems, MCLE article for Valley Lawyer (a publication of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association) - November 2017
- Co-Author, Girl Scouts Local Chapter Protected as a "Franchise" Under Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, International Distribution Institute Project, July 2012
- Co-Author, Do-It-Yourself Franchise Documents: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You, AllBusiness.com, July 2010
- Co-Author, Proposed U.S. Arbitration Fairness Act Would Abrogate U.N. Arbitration Treaty, Force U.S. Franchisors to Enforce and Defend Claims Only in Foreign Courts, International Bar Association, Franchise Committee, International Franchising Newsletter, May 2010
- Co-Author, California and Montana Courts Invalidate Common Franchise Arbitration Provisions, International Distribution Institute Project, May 2010
- Co-Author, New Jersey Expands Coverage of its Franchise Practices Act, International Distribution Institute Project, April 2010
- Co-Author, Match Your Brand to the Best International Market, Franchising World, March 2010
Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, Managing a Franchise Business and Strategic Growth Planning: Evaluating Expansion Alternatives, Georgetown University Center for Continuous & Professional Education, March 2012
- Presenter, What International Companies Need to Know About Franchise Law, HIPMI: Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association, International Franchise Association, December 2010
- Presenter, Establishing an Effective 3-Party Franchise Program, Maryland State Bar Association, Franchise & Distribution Section, November 2010
- Presenter, Introduction to International Franchising, U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial Law Development Program, May 2010
- Presenter, The Continued Effect of Waivers in Franchise Agreements and Disclosure Documents After the New FTC Rule, Maryland State Bar Association, Franchise & Distribution Section, April 2010
- Presenter, The Basics of International Master Franchising, U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial Law Development Program, April 2010
- State Bar of California
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Forum on Franchising, American Bar Association
- San Fernando Valley Bar Association