James A. Meaney

James A. Meaney

Location:
Dublin, Ohio
Phone:
614-975-9876
Fax:
614-799-1500
Email:
Email Me

“Having counseled many franchise and business clients over the years, I appreciate the significant impact legal issues can have on business decisions. A trusted counselor must constantly weigh the value each legal strategy may bring to a desired business outcome.”

Professional Information

  • Representation of existing and start-up franchise systems
  • Representation of franchise-purchasers and franchise owners
  • Preparation of franchise disclosure documents and related agreements
  • Franchise/distributorship
  • Business entity formation
  • Shareholder/partnership disputes
  • Mediation services
  • Counseling associated with denial of commercial insurance claims
  • Drafting IT-related agreements (websites, eLearning, software licensing)
  • Former General Counsel - restaurant franchise company and a franchise trade association
  • Former Ohio Assistant Attorney General (Section Chief – Consumer Frauds and Crimes)
  • Author: How to Buy a Franchise
  • Co-author and Presenter: Starting a Franchise System: Practical Considerations, Planning and Development (2010 ABA Forum on Franchising), Intensive Program: Representing the Franchisor (2012 ABA Forum on Franchising), Disputes During the Three Phases of a Franchise Relationship (2014 ABA Forum on Franchising Webinar, co-presenter) and Forum Selection Clauses After Atlantic Marine (2014 ABA Forum on Franchising); Views from the Bench, (2014 ABA Forum on Franchising); Franchising in Ohio: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know (2013 and 2011 Ohio State Bar Association)
  • Named in The Best Lawyers in America©!
  • Named in the Who's Who Legal International Who's Who of Business Lawyers (Franchising)
  • Named a 2015 and 2016 Columbus CEO Top Lawyer
  • Frequent blogger on franchise topics: The Franchise Contrarian - http://franchisecontrarian.blogspot.com/

Areas of Practice

  • Franchise Law
  • Business Law

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio, 1977
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1977
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1997
  • U.S. District Court District of the Virgin Islands

Education

  • University of Dayton - B.A., Psychology
  • University of Dayton School of Law - J.D.
  • Completion of a 40-hour Mediation course (2015)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association (ABA), Member, ABA Forum on Franchising - Mr. Meaney has been a member of the ABA Forum on Franchising since 1989, has served as a Steering Committee Member of LADR and as former Chair of the Forum's Solo and Small Firm Committee
  • Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA)