Jeffrey Wolf

Trial-proven franchise and commercial litigation counsel

Jeff Wolf is a commercial litigator who has handled arbitrations, bench trials and jury trials in state and federal courts throughout the United States. With 30-plus years of experience representing clients in a variety of business sectors, he serves as outside general counsel to several Phoenix-based behavioral health care companies and advises on dispute resolution in the areas of:

• Franchise
• Employment
• Health care
• Contract
• Partnership
• Real estate
• Intellectual property (IP)

Jeff is a highly effective, detail-oriented and responsive attorney committed to helping clients resolve their disputes as cost efficiently as possible, whether through early settlement, mediation or, if necessary, trial.

• Representing franchisors in litigation involving a variety of issues, including unpaid or under-reported royalties, fraud, liquidated damages, system standards, earnings claims, encroachment, advertising funds, trademark and trade dress infringement, and vicarious liability.
• Advising franchisors on cases requiring the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other post-termination rights.
• Defending franchise and consumer class actions and other system-threatening cases.

• Acted as lead defense counsel for a Fortune 50 company in an action brought by 14 plaintiffs seeking a multi-million-dollar award of damages based on claims for breach of contract, fraud and violations of the Robinson-Patman Act.
• Defended a 900-unit franchise system in an arbitration proceeding brought by a former software developer arising from the termination of a software license agreement. The plaintiff sought in excess of $50 million in damages. Obtained a defense verdict after a two-week hearing.
• Defended one of the world's most recognized fitness chains in a nationwide class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Plaintiffs sought to certify a nationwide class purportedly consisting of thousands of consumers. Trial court granted Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.
• Acted as lead counsel for a publicly-traded, Arizona-based franchisor in the defense of a collective arbitration proceeding filed by a group of 18 franchisees alleging termination-related claims for breach of contract, fraud, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, and statutory violations.
• Served as regional litigation counsel for the world’s largest guest lodging and real estate franchisor and its numerous subsidiaries in matters arising from franchisee disputes.
• Defended a major international credit card issuer against a publicly-traded corporation seeking $20 million in damages for claims alleging aiding and abetting fraud and conversion. Obtained a dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims.