Jennifer E. Brevorka (Jenny) is a partner in the firm's Toronto office, focusing her practice on U.S. franchise law and cross-border litigation. With extensive legal experience in the U.S. and Canada, Jenny has a comprehensive understanding of cross-border legal complexities and provides strategic guidance for the firm’s Canadian clients.
Jenny guides franchisors through the intricacies of U.S. federal and state franchise regulations while focusing on seamless market entry and robust system growth. Her expertise includes negotiating franchise agreements for single or multi-unit franchise deals; navigating state franchise registration processes; and assisting franchisors facing investigations by regulators or litigation from franchisees. Jenny also offers proactive advice on compliance, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution to franchisors so they may have successful and sustainable U.S. operations.
While Jenny has a passion for franchise law, she is also an experienced trial lawyer having defended executives or companies accused of white-collar crimes, corporate misconduct, regulatory breaches, or malfeasance by shareholders or employees. She holds the Q. Arb. designation in Canada, where she can serve as an arbitrator or represent clients in arbitrations.
With a graduate degree in journalism and experience as a newspaper reporter, Jenny brings a unique perspective to her practice. She is a magna cum laude graduate from Duke Law School and obtained a B.A. in history from Yale College. Jenny is actively licensed in Texas, New York, Florida, and Ontario, where she is also a registered Foreign Legal Consultant. Jenny is a member of the American Bar Association (Franchise Forum), the Canadian Franchise Association, the Ontario Bar Association (Franchise Law Section), and The Advocates’ Society.
Representative Work
- Acted for boutique fitness center franchisor in drafting franchise agreement and disclosure document for expansion into the U.S.
- Counseled healthcare franchisor facing regulatory investigation
- Advised a multi-unit food franchisee with fast-tracked development of 20+ units regarding franchisor’s franchise agreement, franchise disclosure document, and multi-unit development agreement
- Counseled various Canadian franchisors on preparing documentation and programs for use in the U.S.
- Acted for franchisor clients about disclosure obligations with franchise resales, transfers, and other system changes
- Represented a football agent in an AAA arbitration against an international sports agency, successfully proving the wrongful termination of the agent
- Acted for twelve judges in Texas in the successful defense against a wrongful employment lawsuit
- Represented a national food distributor in an AAA arbitration involving parallel criminal accusations focused on allegations of tax and wire fraud, and immigration law violations
- Represented a medical device company, as a trial team member, in the prosecution of the CEO by the United States government for wire and securities fraud
- Acted for a cannabis company in the successful appeal of the regulatory agency’s “notice of license revocation." Appeal involved five-day hearing after which tribunal overturned agency’s decision to revoke license and withhold permits for the cannabis stores.
- Represented businesses, licensed professionals, and individuals responding to federal and state grand jury subpoenas
- Acted for a U.S. Fortune 500 electronics company in its defense of a suit commenced in Ontario for breach of a lease lending agreement
News & Insights
Professional
- American Bar Association (Franchise Forum)
- Canadian Franchise Association
- Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
- Ontario Bar Association (Franchise Law, Civil Litigation, and International Law Sections)
