Venable is pleased to announce that, Barry Blum, Nina Greene, Brett Halsey, Elizabeth McIntosh, and Michael Joblove were recognized by the Franchise Times among its Legal Eagles of 2025. The annual list recognizes the top attorneys in franchising who provide outstanding service to clients and the industry.
Mr. Blum focuses his practice on business litigation, with an emphasis in franchise matters, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration matters for claimants in securities cases, and employment matters. Barry is an American Arbitration Association-Commercial Panel arbitrator and a mediator with extensive experience in commercial and employment disputes. He previously served as senior executive for ten years at Burger King Corp. in legal and franchising roles, where his responsibilities included managing the company's litigation matters worldwide.
Ms. Greene focuses her practice on franchise, trademark, and general commercial litigation. She has represented franchisors in state and federal courts in Florida and throughout the United States and in domestic and international arbitrations. This has involved protection of trademarks and intellectual property (IP) rights, franchise terminations, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, unfair competition, business torts, and many other issues.
Mr. Halsey focuses on commercial litigation and, in particular, franchise and construction litigation and appeals. Brett has successfully defended against multi-million-dollar claims against large franchisors around the world, in both U.S. and international arbitrations, and in federal court. He is a member of a team that serves as franchise counsel to Restaurant Brands International and its Burger King Corp. and Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. brands, and has successfully handled litigation for Gap, Inc. Mr. Halsey’s substantive experience includes complicated merchandise inventory and freight disputes, food product supply chain and quality control issues, and disputes arising from complex franchise and development agreement provisions.
Ms. McIntosh practices in the areas of commercial litigation, franchise litigation, and municipal law. She also has experience handling insolvency and real estate litigation matters. Ms. McIntosh represents clients in state and federal courts and arbitration proceedings. She served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Marcia G. Cooke at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Judge Kerry I. Evander at the Fifth District Court of Appeals. Before attending law school, Elizabeth was the program director for the Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education, a nonprofit educational enrichment program for girls in rural Appalachia.
Mr. Joblove is an experienced litigator who focuses his practice on franchise, real estate, and general commercial litigation. He provides national franchise counsel to Restaurant Brands International, handling franchise litigation for its Burger King Corp., Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., and Tim Hortons brands throughout the United States, and in international arbitrations. He has also represented numerous other franchisors and brands, both domestically and internationally, including Benihana National Corp., Subway, Planet Fitness, Churromania, Church's Chicken, T.G.I. Friday's, Smoothie King, Pearle Vision, Inc., and Gap, Inc., among others.
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