Ben practices in the firm’s Business Services Group and specializes in intellectual property law, franchise law, and business and commercial transactions.
Overview
Ben practices in the firm’s Business Services Group and specializes in intellectual property law, franchise law, and business and commercial transactions.
Experience
- Franchise. Advises franchisors on compliance with federal and state franchise and business opportunity laws; drafts franchise disclosure documents; provides representation on franchise-related business transactions and disputes
- Trademarks. Represents various types of business and organizations on trademark matters, including obtaining and maintaining federal trademark registrations and enforcing trademark rights
- Websites and Domains. Counsels on enforcing intellectual property rights on websites and in e-commerce; assists in removing unauthorized, infringing and counterfeit products and services online; drafts website terms of use and privacy policies; assists in obtaining and disabling internet domain names
- Supply and Licensing. Drafts supply agreements for product manufacturers; negotiates vendor agreements for the sale of products and services; assists with intellectual property licensing transactions
- Mergers and Acquisitions. Provides representation and support on the purchase and sale of assets and businesses in various industries
Distinctions
- BL Rankings, The Best Lawyers in America®
- Franchise Law, 2023-2025
Bar Admissions
- Colorado, 2008
- Mississippi, 2013
- U.S. District Courts
- Mississippi: Northern, Southern
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- 5th Circuit
Education
- Wake Forest University, J.D., 2008
- Moot Court Board, Problem Book Editor and Competition Chair
- The College of Wooster, B.A., Political Science, 2004
- Phi Sigma Tau
Associations
- American Bar Association
- Forum on Franchising Corporate Counsel Committee, 2012
- Forum on Franchising Technology Committee, 2014-Present
- Mississippi Bar Association
- Intellectual Property, Entertainment & Sports Law Section
- Member at Large, Executive Committee, 2018-2019
- Intellectual Property, Entertainment & Sports Law Section
Papers, Presentations & Publications
- Co-Author, "USA - Colorado," Gaming Law 2024, Chambers and Partners, December 11, 2024.
- Co-Author, "USA - Colorado," Gaming Law 2023, Chambers and Partners, November 28, 2023.
- Author, “Next Steps For Now – Legal Mississippi Medical Marijuana,” Law360, December 3, 2020.
- Author, "LAW ELEVATED - Medical Marijuana is coming to Mississippi," Mississippi Business Journal, November 2020.
- Author, "It's a Good Time to Franchise Your Business - Can You Do It?" Mississippi Business Journal, July 2015.
- Author, "Three Things Outside Counsel Can Do to Impress Their Franchisor Clients," The Franchise Lawyer, Vol.15, No. 2 (Spring 2012).
- Author, "Ethical Issues Facing an InHouse Franchise Counsel," Presentation at the International Franchise Association's 2012 Legal Symposium in Washington, D.C., May 2012.
- Author, “The Art and Science of FDD Drafting,” Presentation at the American Bar Association Forum On Franchising’s 2014 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA, October 2014.