Interview with franchise legal expert, Martin O'Neill of WJM

Expert’s name:

Martin O’Neill

Name of organisation:

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

Tell us about how you qualified in law – was this something that you always planned to do?

I qualified with law degrees from the universities of Glasgow (LLB) and Strathclyde (LLM) before joining WJM to start practicing. I did always want to practice law and am fortunate to do so in a successful and growing private practice.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?

Amongst other things I enjoy thrashing around golf courses, my vinyl collection, and some minor DIY.

Why did you decide to move into franchising law and what aspects of it do you enjoy the most?

Since early in my career I have enjoyed helping both franchisors and franchisees achieving their objectives and I especially like helping buyers and sellers (whether franchisees or franchisors) when franchise businesses are being transferred.

What differentiates WJM from the competition?

What differentiates WJM from the competition is that we have a long established franchising team comprising numerous lawyers with various legal specialisms. Our team know each other well and provide a continuity of service for our clients. We are qualified to act on both Scottish and English matters and will always work on the basis of fixed costs.

What changes have you seen in your industry over time? And how have you adapted to them?

The UK legal profession has undergone significant changes in recent years and we can expect more of the same in the near future. Market forces and changing technology mean our clients are entitled to demand higher standards than ever, and WJM is focussing on providing the best possible service in its chosen sectors, which means being knowledgeable about industry and commercial realities as well as the letter of the law.

What advice would you give to someone looking to become a franchisee with regard to the legal side of things?

Franchisees will often not need to engage the services of a franchising lawyer until they are fairly well down the path to committing to a suitable franchisor. Having said that, a franchising lawyer who knows the industry well can be a great ally for anyone looking to choose a suitable opportunity. In any case the costs of a legal adviser should always be clearly understood and an initial meeting or chat without obligation should be possible to allow clients to choose a lawyer they will get on with.

If you should like to ask Martin a free legal question regarding franchising, please view the question form here