Wiley Rein’s Robert Smith, Christine Connelly, and Maureen O’Brien Named 2018 ‘Legal Eagles’ by Franchise Times

May 21, 2018

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 2018 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 six consecutive years. Ms. O’Brien has been named to the list four years in a row, and Ms. Connelly was previously named to the list in 2016 and 2017.

Franchise Times described the honorees as “the best and the brightest in franchising” in its annual “Legal Eagles” issue. “The best reason to partner with a seasoned franchise attorney is their mind for business,” the publication added. “They understand the gravitas of every single legal battle, every transaction and every document. That engenders a spirit of collaboration and efficiency.” The annual list — which has been published for the past 15 years — 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.