Practice Summary
John is a dean of the franchising, licensing and distributing bar – a recognition that caps a 40-year career acting for franchisors regionally, nationally and globally. Today, he continues to provide counsel to franchisors in all aspects of their businesses, including in franchise system or distribution chain design and implementation, system restructuring, international and domestic transactions, and franchise disclosure. He offers strategic support to franchisors buying or selling a franchise systems, or repositioning their concepts or brands. He is an adept negotiator in complex franchise matters and is counsel to numerous industry groups. John is an expert in the grocery industry, acting for businesses at all levels of the grocery distribution chain. He also has deep experience in other industries, including hospitality and automotive. Recognized for his critical role in shaping Canada’s franchise legal framework, John regularly advises governments and industry associations on initiatives and changes that affect franchise businesses. He also has substantial experience advising family-owned companies on governance for successful succession and wealth preservation.
BAR ADMISSION
Ontario, 1980
EDUCATION
LL.B., University of Western Ontario, 1978
More About John Sotos
Practice Areas
- Franchisor Services – All Sectors with a focus on automotive, grocery, hotels, and restaurants
- International Franchising, Licensing and Distribution
- Trade Associations
- Corporate / Commercial, Mergers and Acquisitions, Finance, and Succession Planning
- Board Governance
- Sector Leader – Grocery Retailing, Distribution and Manufacturing
- Team Leader – Expansion Out of Canada
Recognitions
- Ranked in Chambers Canada – Franchising (2017 – 2022)
- Listed as Senior Statesperson by Chambers Canada – Franchising (2020 – 2022)
- Consistently listed in Best Lawyers in Canada (2006 – 2022)
- Listed as “Lawyer of the Year – 2010” by Best Lawyers in Canada
- Recognized in Best Lawyers Global Business Edition (2016 – 2020)
- Listed in Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory – Franchise (1997 – 2021)
- Listed in Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada: Corporate (2015 – 2019)
- Named “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times Magazine (2008 – 2021)
- Listed in the “Hall of Fame – 2017” by Franchise Times Magazine
- Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada Franchise (2011 – 2020)
- Listed as “Most Highly Regarded – 2017 & 2020” by Who’s Who Legal: Canada Franchise
- Listed as “Global Elite Thought Leader – 2020 & 2021) by Who’s Who Legal Global Guide: Franchise
- Listed in Who’s Who Legal Global Guide: Hospitality (2020 – 2021)
- Listed in International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers
- Highest ranking (AV Preeminent) and Toronto’s Top Rated in Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Franchise Association
- International Franchise Association
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Association – Forum on Franchising
- International Bar Association
- International Distribution Institute
Selected Works
- The Impact Of Private Equity On The Franchising Industry, the 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 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 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.