Kitt Shipe

about

I am an experienced business attorney with a focus on transactional work in the franchise industry that spans over 20 years. Prior to founding Shipe Dosik Law, I practiced corporate and franchise law at an international law firm in Atlanta and was on the mergers and acquisitions team at a major Chicago law firm. I also acted as lead counsel on the executive team of two well-known franchisors in Atlanta, NexCen Franchise Management (management company for seven brands with 2000+ units including Marble Slab®, Maggie Moo’s®, TAF®, Shoebox New York®, Great American Cookies®, Pretzelmaker® and Pretzeltime®) and Jan-Pro Franchising, International.

I have assisted dozens of companies in structuring, launching and growing successful licensing and franchise programs in virtually every industry, and in maneuvering the maze of state, federal and international franchise laws. I also represent owners in the purchase or sale of existing businesses and counsel franchise companies and private equity on the purchase and sale of franchise systems.

At Shipe Dosik Law, I act as outsourced general counsel for many franchisors, significantly cutting legal spending and providing expert day-to-day advice on legal matters impacting franchisors. I also counsel individual and multi-unit franchisees, helping them to review franchise disclosure documents, franchise agreements, development agreements, area representative agreements and master rights agreements. In addition, I assist founders at the initial phase of their business ventures, in the selection and formation of entities and in structuring shareholder, partnership and operating agreements, employment and consulting agreements, joint ventures, leases and licensing agreements.

I believe that what distinguishes me from many franchise attorneys is my in-house experience. I understand how franchisors operate, and what is important from a legal standpoint. I also understand how busy executives are juggling the day-to-day activities of operating a franchise company. My goal is to find practical and easy solutions to complex legal problems so that my executives can focus on business operations.

I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, and moved to North Carolina for college where I traded pizza and the Cubs for sweet tea and basketball. I am proficient in Mandarin (Chinese), studied Chinese in high school and college, and then lived in China for almost two years. I have known that I wanted to be a corporate attorney since I was in second grade. My career gives me the chance to watch the American dream play itself out, over and over again, and be a small part of the process.

E-Mail: kitt@shipedosiklaw.com