John

Sotos

Founding Partner, Commercial Group

Selected Works

• “Amendments to the Competition Act: Implications for the grocery sector“, Canadian Grocer, May 29, 2024.
• Speaker – “Hot topics in international commerce, trade, franchising and product law“, IBA Annual Conference, October 30, 2023.
• Speaker – “Using Franchising as a Vehicle for Economic Growth in Greece“, Delphi Economic Forum Annual Conference, April 29, 2023.
• Speaker – “The Golden Greeks: The Contribution of Diaspora in Making Greece Global“, Delphi Economic Forum Annual Conference, April 27, 2023.
• The Impact Of Private Equity On The Franchising Industry, 19th Annual Oba Franchise Law Conference – Franchising 2020: Franchising During Turbulent Times, November 2020.
• “Back to the Future“, Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine, June 2020, Page 14.
• Successful franchisor restructuring under CCAA and BIA
• Successful implementation of major system-wide changes to franchise agreements
• Special Counsel to a number of national and international franchisors and Director of numerous companies and not-for-profit organizations
• Co-chair of the Uniform Law Conference of Canada Franchising Project which developed the model franchise law in Canada
• Appointed to the Franchise Working Sector Team by the Ontario government to provide ongoing advice on franchise industry regulation
• Ongoing work to assist developing countries in the adoption of franchising as a vehicle for economic expansion
• Speaker – “Legal and Legislative Update”, CFA Franchise Law Day, January 2014
• Speaker – “Franchise Regulation Considerations for Colombia”, International Chamber of Commerce/Bogota Chamber of Commerce, May 2014
• Speaker – “Ethical Issues for Franchise Lawyers”, OBA Franchise Law Dinner, April 2013
• “Recent Trends in Franchise Relationship Laws”, International Bar Association in Dubai, October 2011.
• “The Rationale Behind Franchise Regulation”, International Bar Association Committee on International Franchising, July 2011
• “Mass Franchise Disputes”, CFA Ontario Region Legal Day, March 2011
• “Ethical Issues for Franchise Lawyers”, OBA Franchise Section Dinner Program, February 2011
• “News from Around the World” IFA, May 2010
• “Supplying the Franchise System” Canadian Business Opportunities Magazine, February 2010
• “Your Franchisees will Look before they Leap” Canadian Business Opportunities Magazine, May 2010

Blogs

SOTOS LLP BLOG May 28, 2024Amendments to the Competition Act: Implications for the Grocery Sector

SOTOS LLP BLOG January 17, 2024Conscious Compliance: The Role of Foreign Corporations in Canada's Fight Against Modern Slavery

SOTOS LLP BLOG January 16, 2023What's The Deal With Greenwashing?

SOTOS LLP BLOG December 6, 2022Why Franchised Grocers Should Join the CFIG

SOTOS LLP BLOG January 7, 2022Economic Duress

SOTOS LLP BLOG August 31, 2021John Sotos ranked in the Hospitality practice area by Who's Who Legal Global Guide 2021

SOTOS LLP BLOG April 21, 2021Proposed Grocery Supply Code of Conduct

SOTOS LLP BLOG March 16, 2021Wastech and the Franchising Context

SOTOS LLP BLOG January 29, 2021Why A Canadian Grocery Code of Conduct is Overdue, and What It Needs to Include

SOTOS LLP BLOG November 17, 2020Are You Eligible For A Canadian Amateur Athletic Trust?

SOTOS LLP BLOG April 20, 2020Post-Covid-19 Business: Back to The Future?

SOTOS LLP BLOG February 17, 2020Domestic Joint Venture Franchises

SOTOS LLP BLOG September 7, 2017Delivery Apps in Restaurant Franchising: How to Deal with Brand Protection?

SOTOS LLP BLOG August 31, 2017Food Delivery Apps in Restaurant Franchising: How to Deal with Fees?

SOTOS LLP BLOG August 11, 2017Rights of First Offer and Rights of First Refusal: blessings or hidden trap

SOTOS LLP BLOG November 30, 2016U.S. Insight: Using Customer Feedback to Evaluate Franchisees

SOTOS LLP BLOG October 31, 2016Be Prepared: Changes to Tax Rules Could Mean Higher Taxes on Sale of Dealership

SOTOS LLP BLOG May 2, 2016Global trends in franchise regulation – recent developments

SOTOS LLP BLOG May 5, 2015Private Equity in Franchising - A Lesson from Dunkin’ Donuts

SOTOS LLP BLOG July 5, 2013A burrito is not a sandwich

SOTOS LLP BLOG January 17, 2012Recent Trends in Franchise Relationship Laws

SOTOS LLP BLOG September 25, 2010Working with Foreign Counsel

SOTOS LLP BLOG September 21, 2009Gift Card Law in Ontario

SOTOS LLP BLOG October 1, 2008The Whys and Hows of Preparing a Franchise Disclosure Document

SOTOS LLP BLOG July 1, 2008Common Pitfalls of Start-up Franchising and How to Avoid Them

SOTOS LLP BLOG April 1, 2007I Prepared My Own Disclosure Document: Now What?

SOTOS LLP BLOG October 1, 2001A Guide to Understanding A Franchise Disclosure Document

Personal Statement

I have always strived to build the best firm with the most depth and expertise in franchise law as a vehicle for providing added value to our clients, be they a start-up or a global company and everyone in between. My team and I work hard to understand their business and personal goals so that we can best help them achieve their objectives practically and efficiently. As a thought leader with a global perspective in our space, I use my ability to identify trends so that our clients’ can focus their businesses to maximize opportunities and reduce setbacks. I believe that the solution to every problem must reflect the clients’ strategic objectives and the client must be involved every step of the way. I am always available.