James Ullman is Of Counsel at Dickinson Wright. Jim is a franchise attorney with more than 35 years of franchise transactional industry specific experience. Mr. Ullman began his career as in-house counsel for a company seeking to become a franchise system, which means he personally understands the process from his clients’ perspectives — he helped that employer develop its franchise system from scratch, back in 1979 when the Federal Rules regarding disclosure obligations governing franchise businesses were first established. Because of his hands-on knowledge and professional experience since then, Jim appreciates entrepreneurialism and franchise systems to a degree that few other attorneys can boast. Jim fully comprehends the needs of franchise businesses as an advisor who is flexible and accountable as well as responsive.

Jim has worked on a number of significant deals during his career, including some for national and multinational corporations. He has been credited with orchestrating a franchise law component “Latin American Deal of the Year” for one of the largest fast-food restaurant chains in the world. He has also worked for major international financial institutions, handling all business-law aspects of franchising, licensing, distribution, and intellectual property.