David S. Paris
David S. Paris is one of the founding members of Paris Ackerman & Schmierer LLP. David focuses his practice on providing legal counsel to business owners, with a focus on franchising, distribution and licensing.
In 2011, the Franchise Times named David as one of the top 100 franchise attorneys in North America for the fourth consecutive year. David represents franchisees, dealers and distributors in disputes relating to all aspects of their relationships with their respective franchisors, manufacturers and suppliers. In that capacity, David has litigated matters involving restrictive covenants, wrongful termination, encroachment, fraud and other unfair business practices. David has counseled clients in numerous states across the country, from systems including: Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins. Quiznos, Subway, Hollywood Tans, Wendy's, Ramada Hotels, Super 8 Hotels, Heidi's Brooklyn Deli, Velocity Sports Performance, Pearle Vision, Days Inn Hotels, Gymboree, Jersey Mike's Subs, Emack & Bolio's, Cold Stone Creamery, Friendly's, Valspar, Checkers, International House of Pancakes, Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries, Faces 365, Rainbow Academy, Pita Pit, I-9 Sports, Muscle Maker Grill, Retro Fitness, Minuteman Press, Century 21, ERA, and Verizon Wireless.
David also represents clients in the acquisition and sale of franchise networks. Additionally, David counsels established franchise companies and emerging companies seeking to expand their businesses through franchising, distribution and licensing. Representative clients include Tiff's Casual Grill & Bar, the Dublin Square Pubs, Healthy for Life Grill, Cherry's Yogurt Bar, and Popbar.
David was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Independent Association of Franchise Operators, the Mid-Atlantic Local Member Committee of the Dunkin' Donuts Independent Franchise Owners Association ("DDIFO").
David also represents a large number of privately held companies, which he advises on matters including complex commercial transactions, asset, stock and interest purchases, formation of corporate infrastructure, protection of intellectual property and entity dissolutions. His corporate client base spans a broad spectrum of industries, including: media companies, real estate companies, bars & restaurants, investment funds, professional employer organizations and beverage manufacturers & distributors.
David also represents consumers and franchisees in complex class action lawsuits against well-known national corporations. He has extensive experience litigating matters involving consumer protection, and utilizing various methods of alternative dispute resolution.
David earned his J.D. from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, where he was a member of the Journal of Gender and the Law. David also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Alfred J. Lechner, U.S.D.J. After graduating law school, Mr. Paris was an attorney in the New York office of Gibbons, P.C.
David is currently licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey and admitted to practice before the courts of the District of New Jersey, The Eastern District of New York, the Southern District of New York, the Northern District of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Michigan and the District of Colorado. David is a member of the New York Bar Association, where he sits on the Franchise Law Committee and Commercial and is a member of Federal and Commercial Litigation Section. David is also a member of the New Jersey Bar Association Franchise Committee and the New Jersey Restaurant Association.