Who's Who Legal has named three Akerman Franchise and Licensing Practice partners to its international "WWL: Franchising 2023" list. For the second year in a row, Warren Lee Lewis, co-chair of the team, Dale Alexandra Cohen, and Robert A. Smith were honored. Lewis and Smith are based in Washington, D.C., Cohen in New York. The list features top lawyers and experts who are held in the highest esteem by their clients, organizations, and peers.

Akerman offers its franchise and licensing clients one of the largest and most respected teams of franchise lawyers and professionals among AmLaw 100 firms, strategically located across the country and resident in the cities with the largest franchise activity. These lawyers assist franchise companies of all sizes as they confront numerous legal challenges—from federal, state, and international laws and regulations to the protection of trademarks and other intellectual property, to changes in the areas of brand standards, product safety, joint employer, officer and vicarious liability, cybersecurity, encroachment, antitrust, and unfair competition. Akerman assists clients with all phases of franchising, licensing, and distribution in the United States and across industries, and in association with law firms in other countries, around the world.

Since 1996, Who’s Who Legal has identified the leading legal practitioners in numerous areas of business law. Nominees are selected based upon comprehensive, independent survey feedback received from eminent private practitioners and general counsel in the list sector or industry. Only those who receive the highest number of recommendations from peers and clients are listed in Who’s Who Legal publications. Research is conducted annually, and individuals must continue to receive strong and regular feedback to maintain their listing.