
George J. Eydt
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New York
- Ontario (practice restricted to U.S. law)
- Foreign Legal Consultant, Law Society of Ontario
Education
York University, B.A.
Schulich School of Business, M.B.A.
Osgoode Hall Law School, L.L.B.
George is managing partner of the firm's Toronto office and leader of the firm's Canada/U.S. Cross-Border Practice, a team of U.S. lawyers dedicated to serving the needs of Canadian and other international companies and their professional advisors relative to business expansion into the United States. He provides cross-border advice on a wide variety of issues, including franchise and other distribution relationships, structuring of U.S. business expansion, and mergers and acquisitions.
Prior to law school, George worked for eight years in both sales and corporate planning with integrated steel producer Dofasco Inc. of Hamilton, Ontario. Although he is a member of the Ontario Bar, George exclusively practices U.S. law and is admitted to practice in New York State. George spent three years at Hodgson Russ's headquarters in Buffalo and now works from the firm's Toronto office.
Honors
- Listed, Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate Law and Franchise Law), 2016 - 2020
Experience
- Assisted a Canada-Based Foam Products Manufacturer With a U.S. Asset Purchase
- Assisted Software Company With $80 Million Acquisition
- Canadian-based Brewing Company Cross-Border Representation
- Counsel for the U.S. Subsidiary of a Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Company
- Counsel to a Germany-Based Manufacturer on U.S. Distribution Law
- Counsel to Canadian Food Products Importer and Distributor on U.S. Commercial Matters
- Counsel to Canada-Based Pub With Respect to Compliance With U.S. Franchise Law
- Negotiated All Transaction Documents on Series A-1 Investment for Canadian-Based Software Venture Capital Firm Client
- Represented European-Owned Client in Major U.S. Acquisition
- Represents Restaurant Franchise With Respect to U.S. Franchise Law
- U.S. Counsel for Calgary-Based Private Equity Firm's Multimillion-Dollar Investments in Companies With U.S. Operations
- U.S. Legal Counsel to Canadian-Based Software Company on U.S. Corporate and Commercial Matters
In the News
- Buffalo Business First, July 28, 2021
- Lexpert, October 19, 2015
- Buffalo Law Journal, October 31, 2014
- Buffalo Law Journal, May 16, 2014
- Buffalo Law Journal, , February 21, 2013
- Franchise Law Grows in ComplexityLexpert, October 2011
- Buffalo Business First, May 13, 2011
- December 2, 2009
- Hodgson Russ Finds Canadian NicheCanadian Lawyer, July 2006
Press Releases
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 27, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, September 13, 2019
- Press Release, August 15, 2017
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 18, 2016
- Press Release, September 2, 2015
- Press Release, March 20, 2014
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Wine, Beer & Spirits Practice, November 29, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, May 3, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 20, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, January 4, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, September 12, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Canada-U.S. Cross-Border and Cybersecurity & Privacy Alert, July 7, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, May 21, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, May 10, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, April 30, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, April 19, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 9, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Corporate & Business Alert, December 30, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, September 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, August 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, April 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Practice Alert, April 3, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Corporate Alert, March 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 16, 2020
- Agriculture Alert, November 6, 2018
- Canada-U.S. Cross Border Practice Alert, May 31, 2018
- Smarter Way to Cross, November 26, 2014
- JD Supra, March 24, 2014
- Smarter Way to Cross Blog Archives, November 13, 2013
- Smarter Way to Cross Blog Archives, June 24, 2013
- The Devil Is in the Details: How Canadian and U.S. Franchise Legislation DiffersFranchise Law Journal, Spring 2013
- Living in the Shadow of a National Survival GameLJN's Franchising Business & Law Alert, January 2012
- The FranchiseVoice, Spring 2009
- Lawyers Weekly, December 5, 2008
Blog Posts
George contributed to the archived Hodgson Russ Canada/U.S. cross-border blog, Smarter Way to Cross. His entries can be found on the Publications page.
Presentations & Events
- November 17, December 1 & 15, January 5 & 19
- June 23, 2020
- Toronto, Ontario, April 9, 2019
- Vantage Venues, 27th Floor, 150 King Street West, 27th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5H 1J9, May 2, 2018
- Oakville, ON, September 24, 2015
- Ontario Bar Association/New York Bar Association Legal Summit: The Evolving Practice of Transnational LawToronto, ON, March 28, 2014
- Law Society of Upper Canada Seminar: Operating in a Foreign JurisdictionToronto, ON, February 26, 2014
- Ontario Bar Association Seminar: Common International Agreements - Selecting the Right ProvisionsToronto, ON, February 6, 2014
- Montreal, QC, March 14, 2013
- Toronto, ON, November 15, 2012
- Calgary, AB, November 13, 2012
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
Community & Pro Bono
- Member, Board of Directors: Central Canadian Public Television Association
- Member, Board of Directors: ESM Metallurgical Products, Inc.
- Organizer & Participant: Bay Street Charity Cycling Challenge - established in 2014, this is an indoor cycling event which raises funds for the Jack Project.