California Franchise Lawyers

Exciting News: As of February 1, 2025, with the retirement of Bruce Napell, Peter Lagarias and Bryan Dillon will be merging the firm with Luther Lanard PC. You may still contact us through this website or also reach us at our new website, www.franchiseelawyer.com

UPDATE May 1, 2025: After nearly 50 years of practice, and much consideration, Peter Lagarias has decided it is also time to retire. As of May 1, 2025, Peter will officially be retired. Bryan Dillon will be continuing with Luther Lanard PC following the merger and providing our clients with the outstanding representation they’ve come to expect. As noted above, you may still contact us through this website or also at our new website, www.franchiseelawyer.com

Experienced and Certified California Franchise Attorneys and Law Firm Specializing in Representing Franchisees

Lagarias, Napell & Dillon, LLP is a nationally recognized law firm, with offices in northern and southern California, that specializes in representing franchisees and franchisee associations throughout California and beyond. Franchise law is a specialized practice, one of only eleven which the California State Bar recognizes as a Certified Specialty. Bryan Dillon is a Certified Specialists in Franchise and Distribution Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

The firm’s founder Peter Lagarias has personally handled hundreds of franchisee cases including fraud and statutory claims, unfair trade practices by franchisors, breach of contract claims, encroachment, pricing, termination, renewal and other claims. More detailed information can be found under the heading Firm Practice Areas. Mr. Lagarias has also handled many franchise disputes for franchisees in both trial and arbitration. Several cases personally handled by Mr. Lagarias have resulted in important appellate decisions for franchisees. Some of these appellate decisions are found on our website under Firm Cases. In addition, a list of the franchise systems our firm has represented is contained below under Our Firm’s Franchisee Clients.

Bryan Dillon has represented franchisees for more than 25 years. While his practice has focused on litigation, he also represents clients in transactional matters such as entity formation, contract (FDD) review/negotiations, employment law and all aspects of general business law. He has represented some of the largest franchisee associations in the country, as well as large multi-unit owners, down to single unit franchisees and sole proprietorships.

Bruce Napell has been in practice for more than 34 years, the last twenty of which has been almost exclusively representing franchisees. He has litigated and arbitrated numerous franchise and business cases, including defending restaurants and other franchisees in suits under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Napell also represents franchisees in the purchase and sale of businesses, and in lease negotiations.

All of our partners have written and spoken extensively on franchise agreements and other aspects of franchise law. Mr. Lagarias has also drafted and testified for franchise legislation and regulation at both the federal and California state level. Additional information on franchise legislation is provided on our website under the Franchise Legislation link located at the top of each page.

Lagarias, Napell & Dillon, LLP also represents franchisee associations and groups of franchisees including in negotiations over franchise agreements and terms as well as other matters. We have reviewed hundreds of franchise agreements for franchisee clients, and regularly advise and counsel franchisee groups and associations on franchise agreements and relationships with their franchisors.

Lagarias, Napell & Dillon, LLP also handles business matters for franchisees, including review of franchise disclosure documents and offers. We advise clients and help create business entities for franchisees as well as provide business counseling on leases and other commercial matters. For our California clients only, we also provide counsel and representation on employment issues and employment litigation.

We offer a free consult with an experienced California franchise attorney. To take advantage of your free consultation, please call or e-mail us today, by completing the e-mail link below or by calling (415) 460-0100.

Lagarias, Napell & Dillon, LLP, and predecessor law firms led by Peter C. Lagarias, have engaged in private law practice since 1982. In 1996, the practice moved from the financial district in San Francisco, California to the historic Mission City of San Rafael, California, just north across the Golden Gate Bridge. In 2015, Bruce J. Napell merged his private law practice into Lagarias, Napell & Dillon, LLP, and in 2019, Bryan W. Dillon merged his private law practice into the firm, to reach its current form of Lagarias, Napell & Dillon, LLP. The firm continues to represent franchisees and distributors in their legal issues and disputes.