Wiley Rein’s Robert Smith, Christine Connelly, and Maureen O’Brien Named 2017 ‘Legal Eagles’ by Franchise Times

April 14, 2017

Washington, DC—Robert A. Smith, chair of Wiley Rein LLP’s Franchise Practice, along with partner Christine E. Connelly and of counsel Maureen A. O’Brien, were named 2017 Legal Eagles for their transactional work by Franchise Times, one of the country’s leading news outlets for the franchising industry. Mr. Smith has been named to the “Legal Eagles” list for five consecutive years. Ms. O’Brien was named to the list in 2015 and 2016, and Ms. Connelly was named to the list in 2016.

Franchise Times described the honorees as “intelligent attorneys who have chosen to specialize in the complex world of franchising with the experience needed to chart a path through murky legal waters.” The annual list relies heavily on the quantity and quality of nominations, especially from clients.

Wiley Rein’s Franchise Practice provides a full range of legal services to meet the needs of franchisors. In addition to the firm’s experience representing U.S. franchisors domestically, the group’s attorneys specialize in helping U.S. franchisors expand internationally, having done franchise deals in more than 80 countries, and in helping non-U.S. franchisors develop in the United States.