Practice Summary
Adrienne is a partner in the litigation department, with a practice that focuses on all aspects of franchise litigation and dispute resolution. She is widely recognized by her peers as a leading practitioner of Canadian franchise law. Adrienne is a trusted advisor to her clients. She provides legal and strategic advice to franchise businesses in all sectors, including the hotel, restaurant, retail cannabis, and grocery sectors, and is well-known for providing practical and business-oriented legal solutions. With her considerable experience before the courts, mediators and arbitral tribunals, and her deep understanding of the unique legal framework affecting businesses in these industries, Adrienne is able to help shape and execute best strategies for dispute resolution. She has appeared before all levels of Court in Ontario, the British Columbia Court of Appeal and the Federal Court of Canada. As a strong believer in better access to justice, Adrienne is responsible for the pro bono program at Sotos further to her experience with the Pro Bono Law Ontario program at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
BAR ADMISSION
Ontario, 2009
EDUCATION
LLB (cum laude), University of Ottawa, 2008
BA (Hons. with Distinction),Queen’s University, 2003
More About Adrienne Boudreau
Practice Areas
- Franchise, Licensing and Distribution Litigation and Arbitration
- Franchisee Association and Group Litigation
- Cannabis – Cultivation and Retail Distribution
- Insurance, and General Commercial Litigation and Arbitration
- Class Actions
- Sector Leader – Hotels
Recognitions
- Ranked in Chambers Canada – Franchising (2023 – 2025)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada – Franchise Law (2021 – 2025)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers Global Business Edition (2020 – 2023)
- Listed as “Consistently Recommended” in Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory – Franchise (2020 – 2024)
- Listed as Leading Litigation Lawyer in LEXPERT Special Edition – Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers (2020 – 2023)
- Listed in Who’s Who Legal Canada: Franchise (2021 – 2023)
- Listed in Who’s Who Legal Global Guide – Franchise (2022 – 2023)
- Named “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times Magazine (2018 – 2024)
Professional Associations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Franchise Association
- International Franchise Association
- The Advocates’ Society
- Member-at-Large, Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Executive Section (2020-2022)
Selected Works
- Speaker, “Strength in Numbers? Evaluating Franchise Litigation Strategies: Class Actions, Group Actions, and Individual Actions“, 22nd Annual OBA Franchise Law Conference, November 28, 2023.
- “Choosing Wisely: Selecting the right franchisee is top of mind for franchisors“, Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine, October 2023.
- Speaker, “Ad Funds Best Practices” roundtable at Law Day!”, CFA Franchise Law Day, September 21, 2023.
- “Know Your Retail Franchise Agreement“, Cannabis Retailer Magazine, June 13, 2022.
- “Is Your Store an Accidental Franchise“, Cannabis Retailer Magazine, January 10, 2022.
- Co-chair of the 20th Annual Franchise Law Conference, presented by the Ontario Bar Association, December 2021.
- Penalty Clauses And Liquidated Damages Provisions In Franchise Agreements, Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Section, January 2021.
- Exploring The Intersection Of Privacy Law And Franchise Law, the 19th Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Conference – Franchising 2020: Franchising During Turbulent Times, November 2020.
- Cyber Risk, The Franchise Voice, Fall 2019 Edition
- Accessible, Proportionate, Timely and Affordable – The Supreme Court of Canada’s Challenge to Bench and Bar in Hryniak v. Mauldin, The Advocate’s Quarterly, Volume 42, November 2013
- It Was Deja Vu All Over Again, The Advocate’s Quarterly, Volume 42, July 2013
Blogs
SOTOS LLP BLOG October 17, 2024A Prescription for Good Faith: The Court of Appeal’s Decision in Spina v. Shoppers Drug Mart
SOTOS LLP BLOG September 26, 2024A Boost to Franchisor Entitlements under Alberta’s Expropriation Act
SOTOS LLP BLOG July 31, 2024Seven Lessons from the “Paramount Trilogy”
SOTOS LLP BLOG October 10, 2023Selecting the Right Franchisees
SOTOS LLP BLOG September 21, 2023Franchise Advertising Funds: A Blueprint for Success and Pitfall Prevention
SOTOS LLP BLOG June 6, 2022Don’t Let Your Next Injunction Go To Pot
SOTOS LLP BLOG March 29, 2021No such thing as “one size fits all” disclosure: the Ontario court provides guidance on the disclosure of non-prescribed material facts
SOTOS LLP BLOG May 1, 2020Urgent Matters Bulletin
SOTOS LLP BLOG April 2, 2020Cybersecurity and COVID-19
SOTOS LLP BLOG February 3, 2020Raibex Revisited: a deficient certificate is still a fatal flaw, new law on “franchisor’s associates”
SOTOS LLP BLOG November 15, 2019Cyber Risk
SOTOS LLP BLOG May 23, 2017Releasing Unknown Claims: New Guidance from the Ontario Court of Appeal
SOTOS LLP BLOG November 3, 2016Rental Agreements – Get it in writing!
SOTOS LLP BLOG January 21, 2016Franchisor wins at court to shut down “rogue” franchisees
SOTOS LLP BLOG August 24, 2015Sotos LLP’s top tips on how to be a prepared witness
Personal Statement
I truly love the practice of law, and working with my clients to achieve their litigation goals. In my spare time I enjoy being in the great outdoors, running, and spending time with my husband and family.