Chad Finkelstein

Chad is a partner in the Corporate Commercial group with a focus on Franchise & Distribution Law and Gaming Law. He assists local and foreign franchisors with all issues in the establishment and development of their franchise systems in Canada, including all matters relating to acquisitions of franchised businesses, as well as licensing and distribution. Chad represents franchisors and franchisees in connection with all issues pertaining to the franchisor-franchisee relationship and drafts and reviews franchise agreements, master franchise agreements, area development agreements and disclosure documents. Chad also advises on issues pertaining to advertising, marketing and social media and drafts contest rules for clients. As a gaming lawyer, Chad assists clients in obtaining gaming registration in provinces across the country, provides advice with respect to advertising, marketing and trademark matters, as well as advises on matters concerning internet gaming, fantasy sports and tournaments.

Education

With an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, Chad completed his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Western Ontario and completed an exchange program at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. Prior to joining Dale & Lessmann LLP, Chad worked as a franchise and gaming lawyer at one of Canada’s largest law firms.

Memberships

Chad is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, as well as the Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations. He is also actively involved in the Canadian Franchise Association, the International Franchise Association and the International Association of Gaming Advisors.

Publications & Presentations:

• Weekly franchise blog for the Financial Post: http://business.financialpost.com/author/chadfinkelstein/
• "Everything You Wanted to Know About Franchise Law (But Were Afraid to Ask)", delivered to the Business, Franchise & Investment Expo, October 2010.
• "Don't Bank on It: The Liability of Financial Services Providers in Canada", Canadian Gaming Lawyer Magazine, Volume 5, Number 3, May 2010.
• "Fundamentals of Gaming Law", delivered to the 5th Annual Legal and Business Guide to Gaming in Canada, March 3, 2009.
• "Franchise Legislation: A Trap for the Unwary", Ontario Bar Association Focus on Franchising, Volume 1, Number 1, December 2009.
• "Canadian Gaming Law", delivered to the Aboriginal Law Forum, October 26, 2009.
• "The Canadian Perspective to "Formal" Restructuring-Insolvency Legislation", World Insolvency Systems: A Comparative Study, 2009, Thomson Reuters Canada Limited.
• "Gaming Law Developments in Canada for On-line and Land-based Businesses", delivered to the Aboriginal Economic Development Forum, June 16, 2009.
• “Living in a Fantasy: The Legality of Fantasy Sports Leagues in Canada”, Canadian Gaming Lawyer Magazine, Volume 4, Number 3, May 2009
• "What You Need to Know About Registration: Part II", Canadian Gaming Lawyer Magazine, Volume 1, Number 2, November 2008.
• "Giving Regulators the Heads-Up", Canadian Gaming Lawyer Magazine", Volume 1, Number 1, May 2008.
• "Electronic Cheque Imaging", e-Finance & Payments Law & Policy, Volume 1, Issue 13, October 2007.
• "Taking the Problem out of Problem Gambling", Canadian Gaming Business, February 2007.
• "A Practical Road Map to Entering the Canadian Market", American Bar Association Franchise Law Journal, Number 2, Volume 24, Fall 2004 (research assistant).

Dale & Lessmann LLP

Tracing its origins back over ninety years, Dale & Lessmann LLP is a full service business law firm based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The firm has one of Canada’s leading law practices devoted to advising European clients - in particular clients from countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Scandinavia and France - with respect to the establishment and expansion of their businesses in Canada and the NAFTA marketplace. The law firm's clients carry on business in almost every industry sector. Our client list includes many of Europe's leading companies, including many household names and industry leaders.

As a full service business law firm, the legal expertise of Dale & Lessmann LLP includes renewable energy law (wind energy, solar and biogas), corporate commercial law, distribution & franchise law, securities law, employment law, real estate law, wills and estates law, project financing, immigration, intellectual property law and commercial litigation.

For a detailed overview of the various areas of expertise of the Canadian law firm Dale & Lessmann LLP based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, please click here to visit www.dalelessmann.com