David L. Cahn

David L. Cahn

PARTNER
BALTIMORE
T: 410.347.9442
F: 410.234.2312

Mr. Cahn has been practicing in the area of franchise law for almost 25 years.  He has a national franchise practice representing both franchisors and franchisees across industries, including advertising, fitness, education, transportation, home improvements, restaurants and boating.  He has been recognized as a "Legal Eagle" by Franchise Times Magazine.

Recognitions

  • Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation
  • Franchise Times Legal Eagle (2016–present)
  • Franchise Times Legal Eagle Hall of Fame (2022-present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Maryland - Baltimore, Corporate Law and Franchise Law (2020–present)
  • Certified Franchise Executive (International Franchise Association) since 2012
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Chair: Maryland State Bar Association, Business Law Section (2023-2024); Secretary (2021-2022)
  • Board Member: Maryland State Bar Association, Business Law Section Council (2007–2010, 2016–Present)
  • Co-Chair: Maryland State Bar Association, Committee on Laws
  • Chair: Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Baltimore Advisory Board (2017–Present)
  • Member: United Way of Central Maryland, Region United Network Advisory Board (2017–Present)
  • Chair: United Way of Central Maryland Annual Campaign Committee at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston (2016–Present)
  • Member: Maryland Attorney General's Franchise Advisory Council
  • Best Lawyers Designation
  • Franchise Times Legal Eagle Distinction

Franchise Law

  • Prepare franchise disclosure documents and franchise agreements for new franchisors and counsel on compliance with franchise sales and relationship laws
  • Structure business relationships to avoid coverage by franchise sales or relationship laws
  • Negotiate franchise agreements for franchisors and franchisees
  • Counselor and negotiator to resolve disputes between franchisors and franchisees, including covenants not to compete


Representative work:

  • Conversion of SailTime fractional boat ownership businesses from licensing to franchising
  • Launch of new franchisors such as Medifast Weight Control Centers, GO Airport Shuttle and Structural Elements
  • Acquisition of trademarks and franchising rights for VooDoo BBQ & Grill and MonitorClosely.com
  • Creation of trademark certification membership program for Fractional Homes International, LLC
 

Business and Corporate Law

  • Purchase or sale of existing franchised businesses such as: Exxon service station, Huntington Learning Centers, MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Rent-A-Wreck auto rentals
  • Prepare and negotiate LLC Operating Agreements and Shareholders Agreement for owners of closely-held companies
  • Prepare private placement materials to offer stock or membership interests to accredited investors in compliance with securities requirements
  • Represent crane rental company in $12,000,000 acquisition of competitor
  • Negotiate contracts with Pharmacy Benefit Managers on behalf of cooperative of independent pharmacies
 

Franchise Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising LLC v. Faith Enterprises DC, LLC, Bus. Franchise Guide (CCH) 13,066 (D. Md. 2009)
  • G&R Moojestic Treats, Inc. v. MaggieMoo's International, LLC, Bus. Franchise Guide (CCH) 13,066 (D. Md. 2005)
  • It's Just Lunch International, LLC v. Polar Bear, Inc., Bus. Franchise Guide (CCH) 12, 819 (S.D. Cal. 2004)
  • Also has represented franchisors, franchisees and other business entities in several arbitrations and mediations, primarily as administered by the American Arbitration Association, including non-compete disputes
  • Serves as an expert witness in cases involving hotel and restaurant franchises
 

Real Estate Leasing

  • Negotiate leases for tenants of commercial real estate, particularly retail and special purpose facilities
  • Advise franchisors on rights in leases entered into by their franchisees
 

Hospitality, Hotel & Restaurant

  • Serves as an expert witness in cases involving hotel and restaurant franchises
  • Prepare franchise disclosure documents for more than ten food service franchisors
  • Representation of hotel franchisees concerning disputes with their franchisors
 

Antitrust and Trade Regulation

  • Develop minimum retail pricing policies communicated by manufacturer to its distributors
  • Counsel trade associations on compliance with antitrust restrictions
  • Analyze price discrimination claims under Robinson-Patman Act
 

Trademarks, Domain Names & Other Brand Protection

  • Advise clients in selecting business names and logos
  • Represent clients in protecting and enforcing trademark rights over names and logos 
  • Prepare and negotiate agreements for the licensing, purchase and sale of trademark rights
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

Presenter: U.S. Corporate Transparency Act Requirements for You and Your Clients, MSBA Legal Summit & Annual Meeting, June 2023

Presenter: Ask Us Anything! Antitrust – What Associations Need to Know, Webinar, December 2021

Moderator: 10 Recruiting Approaches to Help Address your Labor Shortages, International Franchise Association (IFA) Franchise Business Network (FBN), September 2021

Co-Presenter: COVID-19 and Your Dental/Dental Specialty Office, Webinar, DMV Dentists, April 2020

Moderator: Leveraging Franchisee Input: The Keys to Driving Franchisee Engagement, Alignment & Unit Level Success, International Franchise Association (IFA) Franchise Business Network (FBN), Winter 2020

Why Have the Rule? Recent Opinion May Decrease Compliance with FPR Disclosure Requirements, The Franchise Lawyer (ABA Forum on Franchising), Winter 2012

Presenter on "Franchising Regulation" at the Maryland State Bar Association Business Law Institute 2010

Mobility, the Home, and the Scope and Application of State Franchise Relationship and Termination Laws, ABA Franchise Law Journal, Fall 2010 (Co-author)

Washington Ruling Raises Area Representative Disclosure Issues, The Franchise Lawyer (ABA Forum on Franchising), Winter 2009

Presenter, "Are You Ready to Franchise Your Restaurant?" at the National Restaurant Association Convention, May 2008, and the Mid-Atlantic Food & Beverage Expo, September 2007

Co-Author and Faculty Member, The Impact of the Uniform Commercial Code on Franchising, ABA Forum on Franchising Annual Convention, October 2006

ARTICLES

Client Alert: Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Found Unconstitutional by Federal District Court

On March 1, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama in National Small Business United et al.  v. Janet Yellen et. al., Case No. 5:22-cv-1448-LCB,  held the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) to be unconstitutional. In this surprising decision, U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke ruled “The CTA is unconstitutional because it cannot be justified as exercise of Congress’ enumerated powers.”

Client Alert: Corporate Transparency Act Update: FinCEN Reporting and Compliance Begins in 2024

The Corporate Transparency Act’s (the “CTA”) reporting requirements are effective as of January 1, 2024. As a result, many companies in the United States will have to report information about their beneficial owners, i.e., the individuals who ultimately own or control the company. They will have to report the information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Client Alert: Corporate Transparency Act: New Reporting Requirements Impacting Community Associations

The goal of the U.S. Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is to strengthen reporting and transparency of business entity ownership and control in the United States for law enforcement purposes, such as to reduce instances of money laundering, tax fraud, and other evils, by requiring reporting of certain information to the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). Unfortunately, the statute’s broad definition of companies includes any community association that is registered with its state corporation commission. Many community associations are formed as nonstock corporations and are therefore covered by the statute, unless a specifically enumerated exemption applies.

Client Alert: SBA Exiting Regulation of Franchise Relationships as Part of Effort to Increase Availability of Its Small Business Loan Programs

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is amending various regulations governing SBA's 7(a) Loan Program and 504 Loan Program, including streamlining determinations of loan applicants’ eligibility as small business owners. As part of the amended regulations, the SBA is removing the provisions relating to affiliation based on franchise and license agreements, along with all other provisions evaluating affiliation based on factors other than actual or indirect (or “beneficial”) ownership. Because of that removal, the SBA is eliminating the SBA Franchise Registry as of May 11, 2023. 

Protecting Against Increased Antitrust Risks in a More Aggressive Enforcement and Litigation Environment

The law provides professional and industry associations the ability to serve as a forum for cooperation among competitors where that cooperation benefits the public. But associations need to be very careful in structuring the form and nature of their cooperative efforts. Antitrust regulators and private plaintiffs have not hesitated to step in and challenge the actions of associations, when association activities are perceived as interfering with competition. The courts also have eroded some traditional immunities and protections against antitrust claims.

Client Alert: "Not So Fast" – Maryland Gas Station Operator Obtains Injunction Stopping Franchise Termination

On May 25, 2022, the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland issued a preliminary injunction ordering PMIG 1025, LLC and Petroleum Marketing Group, Inc. ("PMG") to continue its franchise relationship with the operators of the “Airport Shell” retail gas station and convenience store near Baltimore Washington International Airport during the pendency of the operators' case that PMG did not have good cause to end their petroleum franchise relationship under the U.S. Petroleum Marketing Practice Act (the "PMPA").  The Court, through highly respected veteran jurist Paul W. Grimm, ruled that the operators had a reasonable chance of prevailing on the merits of their claims that PMG improperly terminated the Franchise Agreement for the operation of Airport Shell.  The Court further found that the harm to the plaintiffs without an injunction issuing, namely losing control over their business, was greater than the potential harm to the defendants with such an injunction.

Client Alert: What We’re Learning About Second Draw Paycheck Protection Loans and Other Implementation of Recent Legislative Action

As we recently announced regarding the Economic Aid Act, Congress authorized certain PPP borrowers who have already used (or will use) their PPP funds to apply for a second draw PPP loan (“PPP2”).  Effective January 6, 2021, SBA released an Interim Final Rule on PPP2 (the “PPP2 IFR”). This client alert summarizes some of the salient and broadly applicable terms in the PPP2 IFR. Following this discussion, we also highlight parts of the Amended Interim Final Rule (the “Amended IFR”), also effective January 6, 2021, that consolidates previously published interim final rules and amends them to incorporate changes under the Economic Aid Act.
 

A Special Alert for Tax-Exempt Organizations: Impact of New Congressional Action on the Paycheck Protection Program

On December 21, 2020, Congress passed H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Omnibus Act”), which includes among its more than 5,000 substantive pages, long-awaited follow-ups to the CARES Act to provide additional resources to individuals and businesses. Among the provisions are updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which will benefit both existing and new borrowers. Below is a look at some of the significant developments under the Omnibus Act related to the PPP. This summary does not include every update to the PPP in the Omnibus Act, but highlights certain key changes.

Client Alert: New Congressional Action Means Big Things for the Paycheck Protection Program

On December 21, 2020, Congress passed H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Omnibus Act”), which includes among its more than 5,000 substantive pages, long-awaited follow-ups to the CARES Act to provide additional resources to individuals and businesses. Among the provisions are updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which will benefit both existing and new borrowers. Below is a look at some of the significant developments under the Omnibus Act related to the PPP. This summary does not include every update to the PPP in the Omnibus Act, but highlights certain key changes.

Client Alert: PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire – The Continuing Saga of the Necessity Certification

On October 26, 2020, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) published notice that it is seeking approval from the government’s Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) to release two new forms applicable to Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) borrowers who received loans above $2 million. (SBA has previously announced that all PPP borrowers who received more than $2 million in PPP loans, including by aggregation with affiliates, would have their application audited.) According to SBA data, there are over 30,000 PPP borrowers who would be required to submit either proposed Form 3509, for for-profit businesses, or Form 3510, for nonprofit organizations.

Client Alert: SBA Issues Important Guidance on Sale of a Business with Outstanding PPP Loan

On October 2, 2020, the SBA released guidance on changes of ownership of a business that received a PPP loan.  While the SBA directed these procedures to PPP lenders, unless the SBA has already forgiven the loan entirely the PPP borrower must provide prior notice to its PPP lender, including a copy of the transaction documents and information on the new owners.  In addition, the borrower is likely to have to either place the principal amount of the loan in escrow pending forgiveness determination, or delay its transaction until the SBA approves it.

UPDATED - Client Alert: Six Steps to PPP Loan Forgiveness

Congratulations, you received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”)! Now you want to maximize your ability to take advantage of the opportunity to have up to 100% of the loan forgiven. The following guide provides overall concepts to consider in using your PPP loan proceeds. Please reach out to the authors or your other professional advisors if you have questions about your specific situation.

Client Alert: EZ PPP Forgiveness Application and Self-Employed PPP Usage Cap

On June 17, 2020, the SBA posted to its website a number of new documents for the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) that reflect both changes required as a result of the Flexibility Act and that small business advocates had urged to streamline the PPP forgiveness process. This includes an Interim Final Rule (“IFR”) that significantly updates the owner-compensation replacement rule for a 24-week Covered Period and a new “EZ” forgiveness application.

Client Alert: Key Changes To The Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (HR 7010) (the “Flexibility Act”), signed into law on June 5, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), provides relief to small businesses seeking relief under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), including, significantly, an extended period to use PPP loan proceeds and a reduction in the amount of funds that are required to be used towards payroll costs from 75% to 60%.

Client Alert: More Questions Answered in the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

In the evening on Friday, May 15, 2020, the SBA issued the long-awaited Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application and its instructions. The Application provides a step-by-step process that will ultimately lead borrowers to a determination of the amount of their PPP loan that can be forgiven.

Client Alert: SBA Clarifies the Standard for Needing a PPP Loan

As part of the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), the CARES Act suspended the ordinary requirement for SBA loans that borrows demonstrate an inability to obtain credit elsewhere. Instead, borrowers are required to certify, which lenders are entitled to rely upon, that “[c]urrent economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Applicant.”

At Your Service? Customer Account Ownership and its Impact on Non-Competes, Control Determinations for Vicarious Liability, and Franchise Goodwill

The 2010s have been a decade of greatly increased scrutiny regarding the level of control that franchisors exert over their franchisees. While much of that scrutiny has been exerted by parties outside of the franchise relationship, that spotlight has forced franchisors to examine more carefully the controls they wield over franchisees.

Signal 88 Security Case Illustrates the Challenge of Obtaining A Preliminary Injunction to Enforce a Franchise Non-Compete

A covenant not to compete is typically included in a franchise agreement to ensure that customer goodwill, once developed in the name of franchise, is not destroyed by former franchisees.  The ultimate weapon for a franchisor to enforce a covenant not to compete is obtaining a preliminary injunction against the former franchisee. However, many courts place a heavy burden on the franchisor to prove that a preliminary injunction is proper.

New California Franchise Law Provides More Rights to Franchisees, More Burdens to Franchisors

Effective for franchise agreements entered into or renewed this year, new amendments to the California Franchise Relations Act impose significant restrictions on franchisor’s termination or refusal to renew franchise agreements, increase franchisor’s post-termination obligations, and bolster franchisees’ rights to sell their franchised business.  These changes make California a somewhat more risky state in which to use franchising as a growth strategy, while arguably bolstering the security of franchisees’ investments in mature brands.    


How To Tell If You Are "Doing Business" In A Foreign State And Why It Is Important To Know

In our previous article on the Moe’s Southwest Grill case, posted June 16, 2015, we explained the importance of complying with state filing requirements to maintain limited liability status in any state where your company is regularly doing business. The case demonstrated how a failure to do so could cost your business the ability to protect its rights and have other substantial legal repercussions. Now, we take up the important question of what instate activities constitute “doing business” to require such state registration as a foreign entity.


Why Maintain Your Company Charter? Moe's Southwest Grill Will Tell You!

Co-Author: Jenny Morris, University of Maryland Law School, Class of 2017

Occasionally corporations and limited liability companies neglect to make the periodic filings required by their state of formation. Even more often, companies that open locations outside of their state of formation do not register as a foreign entity with that other state's business regulatory agency. The May 29, 2015 decision by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals in Guy Named Moe LLC T/A Moe’s Southwest Grill v. Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado LLC et al., No. 2270, Sept. Term 2013, is an important reminder to restaurant operators and other business owners of just how dangerous it can be for a company to ignore those basic state filing requirements. 


NLRB Issues Advice Memo Finding That Franchisor Is Not Joint Employer

On April 28, 2015 the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), Office of the General Counsel, issued an Advice Memorandum to the NLRB’s Chicago area regional office finding that a restaurant franchisor and its Chicago area development agent are not joint employers with a Chicago franchisee.  This is an important development in light of the current pursuit by the NLRB’s General Counsel of joint employer cases against McDonald’s Corporation.  


Enforcing Quality Standards in Hotel Franchise Agreements

A franchisor’s diligence in conducting and documenting quality assurance inspections is as important as ever, particularly if the franchisor seeks to exercise its ultimate weapon – termination of the franchise agreement.   Prudent inspection and documentation practices are particularly crucial in the many U.S.


What's the Value-Add of a "Full-Service" Law Firm?

Over the past decade I have been a solo legal services provider, then managing member of a boutique firm, and then a part of a much larger firm, Whiteford Taylor & Preston, since 2011.  So I have really seen the legal profession from all sides—and of course, like all lawyers, I have heard the grumbles from clients about “big law firms.”

So maybe my three-faceted experience in providing legal services will help you gain some perspective as well.


Recent Franchise Non-Compete Cases Show Unpredictability of Enforcement

Recent cases involving attempted enforcement of covenants not to compete by franchisors show the unpredictability of the results in such cases. However, careful reading of the factual circumstances of the cases also supports the adage that “bad facts make bad law.” So it behooves franchisors to check whether they have a sympathetic case on the facts when trying to enforce their non-competes.


Restaurant and Retail Franchisors: Could This Be You in 2014?

The case of Wojcik v. Interarch, Inc., currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the fast casual restaurant franchisor Saladworks, LLC, contains a factual scenario that should serve as a valuable reminder for existing franchisors who are updating their Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”) for use in 2014, for companies beginning the offer of franchise rights, and for prospective franchisees who are investigating opportunities.   Bottom Line: Franchisors need to be careful not to underestimate site development costs, ongoing operating costs, and the challenges of opening locations in geographic areas not familiar with their brands. 


"Gangland" Judicial Opinion is a Reminder of Liability for Franchisees and Their Franchisors

In Ford v. Palmden Restaurants, LLC, the Court of Appeals of California issued a strong reminder to both restaurant franchisees and their franchisors of their potential liability for criminal conduct that takes place on a restaurant’s premises.  While the legal principles at issue differ for franchisees and franchisors, this potential liability is one that neither can ignore.


Contingency Planning for the Business Owner -- Are You Covered?

Most of the work that I do for franchise owners falls into two categories: (1) helping to evaluate a potential franchise opportunity and negotiating the franchise agreement and real estate lease, and (2) evaluating potential exit strategies from the franchise and/or claims against the franchisor.  While grateful to serve in that capacity, I worry whether franchisees and other small business owners are adequately planning for and protecting against their own death or disability.  This article outlines some legal and practical estate planning issues that each person should address.


NLRB "Pushing the Envelope" to Protect Employees' Rights to Communicate Online

Through its recent activities the current National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) has indicated its determination to make itself relevant to all U.S. employees (and employers), by focusing a less prominent part of its authority -- to insure that “Employees shall have the right . . .  to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of . . . mutual aid or protection.”   Among the areas where this emphasis is being shown is the ability of employers to limit employees’ use of social media networks such as Facebook to communicate with each other.


Shopping Center Leases and Franchises: A Landlord's Checklist

Because of their brand recognition, consistency of operation and support network, franchised businesses can be wonderful tenants at shopping centers and other multi-use commercial properties.  Franchisees are small business owners with substantial investments and drive to succeed, but who are able to use brands and business systems that provide competitive advantages.   However, a lease with a franchisee raises concerns separate and distinct from those with independent small business owners or with regional or national chain store operators.


The Power of Association: Auto Dealer Protection Laws

Through effective trade associations and lobbying efforts, during the last century automobile dealer franchises in the United States convinced state governments to give them significant protection against commercial abuse or unfair dealing by the manufacturer or supplier franchisors. Franchisees in other industries could learn from that example.


The Tie That Binds: Non-Competition Covenants Under Maryland Law

Co-Author: Allan P. Hillman, Kern & Hillman

A covenant not to compete is a limited restraint of trade that, in many situations, restricts the freedom of an individual or business seller who is no longer associated in any way with the person or entity that the covenant benefits.  These restraints are most common in employment relationships and also are customarily included in franchise agreements.  Because sale of business covenants are almost always enforced, and there are few Maryland cases (none recent) evaluating them, in this article we address employer and franchise covenants.


Can I Stop “Bargain Basement Pricing” of My Branded Products?

While the continuous growth of Internet-based commerce has to lower prices for many consumer shopping for goods, it has been a major problem for many “bricks and mortar” retailers and also has caused concerns for product manufacturers who want to insure quality experiences for customers purchasing their goods. The question is the extent to which manufacturers may, under applicable U.S. anti-trust and competition law, take steps to protect the image of their brand as well as stopping the “e-tailers” from "free-riding" on the promotion efforts of traditional retailers.


Could Your Association’s Chapter Program Be Considered a Franchise System?

In Girl Scouts of Manitou Council, Inc. v. Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Inc., 646 F.3d 983 (7th Cir. 2011), the U.S. Court of Appeals for Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin held that the national Girl Scouts organization, a nonprofit incorporated by an Act of Congress, violated the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law by dissolving a local Wisconsin chapter of the national organization “without good cause.” The 2011 decision is notable both because of its author, the extremely well-known, respected and conservative Judge Richard Posner, and because of the language used by the Court in rejecting the Girl Scouts of the United States’ arguments for immunity based on its nonprofit mission. This article is designed to help the leaders of nonprofit organizations and associations identify ways to mitigate risks posed by this decision.


Franchising and its Growth Alternatives

Compliance costs and ongoing challenges of obtaining financing for new businesses have led many companies seeking growth to search for alternatives to franchising. These efforts, while quite understandable, have legal and practical implications.


Is That Really My Problem? Case Highlights Need to Verify Franchise Disclosure Data

A recent decision in A Love of Food I, LLC v. Maoz Vegetarian USA, Inc. , Case No. AW-10-2352, Bus. Franchise Guide (CCH) ¶ 14,633 (decided July 7, 2011), the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, in denying a motion to dismiss, highlighted the need for franchisors to vigilantly update their government-required disclosure document to maintain its accuracy, while also providing a valuable reminder as to the geographic scope of state franchise sales laws’ application.


Can They Really Do That? Franchisees' Liability for Lost Future Royalties after Store Failure

In its recent decision of Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc. v. RBL Holdings, LLC, et al., Case No. 09-2030, Bus. Franchise Guide (CCH) ¶ 14,586 (decided April 14, 2011), the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit provided valuable guidance on one of the most important legal issues for franchisors and franchisees.  Specifically, if a franchisee closes franchised businesses that it can no longer afford to operate, can its franchisor obtain a judgment for “lost future royalties” that it would have earned had the businesses continued to operate?


Talking to your competitors can be risky

Two recent guilty pleas announced by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division highlight an underappreciated area of serious legal liability – price coordination in violation of the Sherman Act. 


NEWSLETTERS

PRESENTATIONS

NEWS

A Record 87 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Ten Selected as “Ones to Watch”

87 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (copyright 2023 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). New practice areas of recognition include CleanTech Law and Entertainment and Sports Law. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.

73 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2023, Six Selected as “Lawyer of the Year”

73 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

75 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2022, Eight Named “Ones to Watch”

A record 75 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 (copyright 2021 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

71 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2021, Six Named “Lawyer of the Year”

A record 71 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021 (copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

David Cahn Selected As A Franchise Times Legal Eagle for 2016

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that David Cahn, Chair of the firm's Franchise Law group, has been selected as a Franchise Times Legal Eagle for 2016. This ranks David in the top 150 franchising attorneys in North America.


David Cahn Recognized in Who's Who Legal for Franchise Law

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is delighted to announce that David Cahn has been selected in the International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers. He is one of fewer than 400 lawyers worldwide to receive this designation.


David Cahn Named to International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers

Whiteford Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that David L. Cahn has been selected for the latest edition of the International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers.  He is one of only 150 lawyers in the United States listed in this reference and one of only two in Maryland.


David L. Cahn Earns Certified Franchise Executive Designation

Whiteford Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that David L. Cahn, the head of the firm’s Franchise Law practice, has been recognized as a Certified Franchise Executive by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. 


Franchise Attorney David Cahn Joins Whiteford, Taylor & Preston

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is delighted to announce that David L. Cahn has joined the firm's Baltimore office as Counsel.

The firm's managing partner, Martin T. Fletcher, said, "We are very pleased to welcome David to the firm. His established franchise practice is highly complementary to our business practices and an excellent strategic fit for our mid-market focus."