Wagner, Johnston & Rosenthal joins IR as the exclusive Franchise Law Member in the US – Georgia.

International Referral, the world’s largest exclusive network of advisory firms is delighted to introduce Michael S. Rosenthal of Wagner, Johnston & Rosenthal, P.C. Michael has joined IR as our exclusive Franchise Law Member in the US – Georgia.

Mike Rosenthal received both his undergraduate degree (B.A. with honors, 1977) and his law degree (J.D. 1980) from the University of Florida.  After graduation from law school, Mike served four years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia.  Following his entry into private practice in 1984, Mike remained active in service to the State of Georgia, both in the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs (as Coordinator of Special Projects) and as a Special Assistant Attorney General.  Mike’s practice primarily involves the representation of franchise, professional and service industry clients, providing day-to-day business counseling and advice, as well as litigation services when necessary.

Mike has represented numerous start-up franchisors, sellers of business opportunities and other sellers in licensing and distribution arrangements. His practice includes counseling clients on the best way to format their business, franchise, licensing or some other distribution model. Mike prepares and files necessary government registrations and disclosures, addresses regulatory problems and concerns on behalf of clients and, when necessary, represents his clients in court to protect their interests. Mike particularly enjoys working with clients in the planning stages in order to avoid regulatory and other issues. Mike represents many “inbound” franchisors from other parts of the world, franchising in the U.S. for the first time, including companies from Canada, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Brazil.

Mike is one of a very small number of attorneys nationally to specialize in representing sellers of business opportunities.  Mike is a member of the American Bar Associations’ Forum on Franchising and of the Georgia Bar’s Franchise and Distribution Law Section.

Until its sale for $6.2 Billion, Mike served as an independent Director of Inland Retail Real Estate Trust, Inc. (IRRETI) a public real estate investment trust which was one of the largest owners of retail space in the Southeast.  IRRETI managed over 300 retail shopping centers or single tenant properties, primarily east of the Mississippi River.

Mike is an active University of Florida alumnus, serving on the Alumni Association’s Atlanta Regional Council and the Alumni Advisory Board to the Department of Political Science. Needless to say, Mike also enjoys Gator football and basketball.

If you have a requirement in this area, please get in touch with Michael directly or with the International Referral head office for an introduction.

[email protected]

[email protected]