Benjamin L. Mitchell
Office Information
Ben practices in the firm’s Business Services Group and specializes in intellectual property law, franchise law, and business and commercial transactions.
Biography – View PDF Bio
- Associations
- Bar Admissions
- Education & Honors
- Experience
- In the News
- Papers, Presentations, & Publications
- Recent Blogs
Bar Admissions
- Colorado, 2008
- Mississippi, 2013
- U.S. District Courts
- Mississippi: Northern, Southern
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- 5th Circuit
Education & Honors
- 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
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
Papers, Presentations, & Publications
- 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.
Recent Blogs
- The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020: A Summary
- Medical Marijuana is Coming to Mississippi
- 2018 Mississippi Franchise Law Recap
- USPTO Trademark Tips for Franchisors
- Focus on Trademarks and Antitrust: Judge Favors FTC over 1-800 Contacts in Keyword Advertising Case
- Federal Court Says a Great Website Comes with Great ADA Responsibility
- .health Domain Names Available Soon
- Good Changes to Rhode Island Franchise Law (but Don’t Forget to Update Your FDD)
- I Don’t Like Your Trademark Application More...
- Trademark Infringement in Keyword Advertising: 1-800 Contacts Brings Things into Focus
- Franchisee d/b/a Franchisor’s Trademark: The Fictitious Name Registration
- The Water in Rio Isn't the Only Thing to Worry About - So Are Olympic Hashtags
- Intellectual Property and Brexit