Debra began her legal career representing a national franchisor in 1991. Thirty years later, Debra continues to concentrate her practice on brand expansion through franchising, dealerships and distributorships, and, trademark and brand protection. Her clients operate in a wide range of industries, including food & beverage, manufacturing, recycling, construction, marketing, personal services, and transportation industries. She holds the highest achievable rating with Martindale Hubble Law Directory, (AV Preeminent) and the highest AVVO rating (10). Her experience in franchising is comprehensive. She represents clients in FDD & document preparation, state registrations, dealership arrangements, co-branding, franchise compliance, real estate negotiations, acquisitions, vendor agreements, franchise advertising compliance, and franchise litigation monitoring. Debra represents clients in trade protection matters including trademark registration, non-competition agreements, NDAs, trade secret protection, unfair competition law, and proprietary product protection. She routinely assists start-up franchise companies to develop franchise systems. Debra routinely assists developed franchise companies with franchisee compliance, annual registrations, and trade protection. Debra acts as General Counsel for small to midsize clients.