Who We Are
Richard L. Rosen (Click for Credentials)
Richard L. Rosen is the founding member of The Richard L. Rosen law Firm, PLLC, whose offices are located at 110 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022. Mr. Rosen has been actively engaged in the practice of franchise law in New York City for over 35 years during which time he has represented many franchisors and franchisees both as counsel and as a business advisor. Mr. Rosen has counseled and represented franchisors in the setting up of franchising systems and programs, has formed franchising entities, drafted and negotiated franchise agreements, registration statements, disclosure documents and other ancillary franchise documents; he has represented franchisees and franchisee associations, and has litigated (in both state and federal courts), arbitrated and mediated matters on behalf of both franchisors and franchisees.
Mr. Rosen is the immediate past Chairman of the Fair Franchising Standards Committee, having served in that position for nine years, and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD). He is also a past Chairman of the Legal Steering Committee and the Chairman of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the AAFD. In 2008 he received the AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the field of franchising. He has been a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum Committee on Franchising and its Anti-Trust Section since 1968, is a Panel Member of the Committees on Franchising and Corporate Law sponsored by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, a founding member of the Franchise, Distribution and Licensing Law Section of the New York State Bar Association (and the Chairman of its Franchisee Relations and its Mission Statement Committees), a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA). Mr. Rosen is a member of the Steering Committee of the National Franchise Mediation Program, a member of the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution’s Distinguished Panel of Neutrals in conjunction with the National Franchise Mediation Program and has served as an arbitrator and mediator of franchise cases. Richard is listed in Who’s Who in America (Click for Profile), Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the World, the Best Lawyers in America, 100 Best Franchise Lawyers in America (the Franchise Times), Best Lawyers in the U.S. and America’s Super Lawyers. He has frequently lectured on a variety of franchise topics before various groups and organizations, including the American Bar Association, the International Franchise Association, the New York State Bar Association, and The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, The Nassau County Bar Association and the AAFD and has been interviewed on both television and radio, the American Bar Association Journal, the Franchise Times and Forbes Magazine, regarding franchising. Mr. Rosen is a contributor to “Franchising 101, The Complete Guide to Evaluating, Buying and Growing Your Franchise Business” compiled by the Association of Small Business Development Centers and has written various articles on the legal and business aspects of franchising.
Richard L. Rosen and his firm are engaged in a general, commercial practice which includes active involvement in the fields of franchising, corporate, real estate and trust and estates law. The firm also maintains an active state and federal court litigation practice. He is married to Doris and the father of three children, Max, and twins Mollie and Hannah, whom he has coached in soccer, basketball, baseball, football and track. Richard served many years on the Board of Directors for the Jericho Athletic Association which provides athletic programs for school children residing in the Jericho Community. He still coaches a “kids” track team, the Jericho Jets, and competes in Masters Track as a sprinter.
Leonard S. Salis (Click for Credentials)
Leonard Salis is a Brooklyn Law School graduate with over 12 years of legal experience. Working closely with Richard Rosen since August 2002, Leonard has acquired an expansive knowledge of franchise law and franchise related matters. Over the last 12 years, Leonard has also gained significant experience in the practice areas of corporate law, real estate, trusts and estates and commercial litigation. Leonard is admitted to practice law before the courts of the State of New York, the Southern and Eastern Federal Districts of New York as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, as well as the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and New York County Lawyers’ Association.
Leonard is married and he and his wife, Andrea, recently welcomed the newest member of their family, their son, Mason, who was born on January 30, 2008.
Brian Porch Jr., Esq. (Click for Credentials)
Brian’s practice focuses on the litigation of commercial disputes and the drafting and negotiation of business transactions. His litigation concentration is broad, from matters pertaining to corporate transactions and mergers to complex (e.g., multi-jurisdictional) litigation, intellectual property, antitrust, products liability, securities and government investigations. Among varied industries and practice disciplines and within both state and federal court, Brian has managed discovery and motion practice, tried cases to judges and juries and taken and defended appeals.
Brian joined the Richard L. Rosen Law Firm in order to have the opportunity to represent similar clients in the transactional phase of commercial law in addition to the litigation phase. To that end, Brian has substantially expanded his practice to include commercial transactions among various industries, including the representation of both franchisors and franchisees.
Outside the office Brian participates in community activities and functions, enjoys keeping active and supporting his favorite sports teams.
Candace Foster — Paralegal
Candace Foster provides paralegal support to the firm in the areas of franchise law and franchise related matters, corporate law, real estate, trusts and estates and commercial litigation. Working with Richard Rosen since May 2002, Candace has acquired a great deal of knowledge in these areas, primarily with respect to franchise related matters. Candace has a Bachelor’s Degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is a notary public.
Candace is the proud owner of a 5 year-old Shih-Tzu named Squishy.
Carol A. Lewis, Administrative Director and Paralegal
Carol A. Lewis brings a rich background in office administration and financial management to The Richard L. Rosen Law Firm.
Carol founded and operated (for 24 years) J.P. Office Services, Inc. in Boston, MA. She sold her business in 2003 and it is still in operation today, specializing in a wide array of office services.
After selling her company, Carol moved to Guangdong Province in southern China where she resided for four years. While in China she first managed an international language school and then taught English at a Chinese university. During her stay, Carol learned to speak Mandarin Chinese (no small accomplishment).
Carol returned to the USA in late 2007 and moved to New York City where she enjoys living in a large multi-cultural environment as well as being near her son, who also lives and works here.
Carol graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in English. In New York City she belongs to two book groups, a Chinese language group and investment and walking clubs. She loves current affairs, conversation and enjoys meeting new people.