Lee Dickinson of Dickinson Law, P.C. is Of Counsel to Hathaway & Kunz and focuses his practice on business, corporate, and transactional matters, including intellectual property and franchising. He has represented and advised diverse business clients, from start-ups and non-profits to established restaurant chains and national retailers. He provides practical, strategic advice and believes that legal counsel should be a trusted teammate in pursuit of the client’s business goals, not a gatekeeper or roadblock.

Whether a small, family-owned business or a large, publicly-traded company, clients have come to Mr. Dickinson for assistance in negotiating and drafting contracts, advice in trademark selection and protection, and preparation of all types of necessary legal documents—ranging from applications for liquor licenses to Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs). In addition, Mr. Dickinson routinely advises clients on regulatory matters, such as antitrust, unfair/deceptive trade practices, social media, data privacy, sweepstakes and promotions, liquor law, product labeling, pricing accuracy/unit pricing, and various other areas of law that affect retail and restaurant businesses.

Mr. Dickinson has previously taught at the University of Wyoming College of Law. Prior to joining Hathaway & Kunz, he was a faculty member at Vanderbilt University Law School, where he taught in both the J.D. program and the LL.M. program for foreign-trained lawyers. He is also a frequent volunteer judge for high school and college mock trial, moot court, and mock negotiation competitions.

Related Employment

  • Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, Tennessee, 2011–15
  • Dollar General Corporation, Goodlettsville, Tennessee, 2006–11
  • Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, Nashville, Tennessee, 2003–06

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • “Trademark Selection, Protection and Registration,” Wyoming State Bar, Continuing Legal Education Program, November 2017
  • “Crowdfunding Comes to Wyoming,” Wyoming Lawyer, August 2017
  • “Top 10 Tips for Young Lawyers,” Wyoming Lawyer, April 2017
  • “Franchising 101: How It Works, How It’s regulated, and What the General Practitioner Needs to Know,” Wyoming State Bar, Continuing Legal Education Program, October 2016
  • Volunteer Editor, Senior Law Handbook, Tennessee Bar Association, 2013
  • Producer, “Legal Writing Never Gets Erased: Best Practices for Complaints, Answers, Motions, Responses and Appellate Briefs,” Tennessee Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program, March 2013
  • Host of the quarterly International Franchise Association Franchise Business Network Luncheon, Nashville, Tennessee, 2003-06
  • “The Basics of Business Law,” Tennessee Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Program, June 2006
  • “Franchising Your Business,” Nashville Minority Business Center, Nashville, Tennessee, April 2006
  • “Franchise Fundamentals,” Nashville Minority Business Center, Nashville, Tennessee, September 2005
  • “Gift Cards May Have Strings Attached,” Counsel to Counsel, November 2005
  • “Should You Make an Earnings Claim,” Franchising & Business Law Alert, June 2005
  • “Managing Disclosures in Multiple States,” 38th Annual International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington, DC, May 2005
  • “Drafting and Enforcing Trade Dress Issues,” 37th Annual International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington, DC, May 2004

Community Involvement

  • Recipient of the 2017 Pro Bono Award for Legal Services for Indigent Clients from the Wyoming State Bar and Legal Aid Wyoming
  • Field Agent, Horse Haven of Tennessee, 2013–15
  • Board Member, Volunteer Equine Advocates, 2010–12
  • Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, 2008–10
  • Board Member, Spay Tennessee, 2007–08
  • National Alumni Board Member, Vanderbilt University Law School, 2003–04)

Results & Representative Matters

  • Represents publicly-traded Fortune 150 national retailer with respect to its trademark portfolio
  • Performed franchise due diligence for publicly-traded company acquiring a national franchised concept
  • Regularly negotiates $100 Million+ buy/sell or merchandising agreements for publicly-traded, Fortune 200 retail client
  • Has prepared franchise disclosure documents, franchise agreements, and various related documents for both first-time franchisors and well-established franchisors, including many well-known restaurant concepts
  • For large, national company, has prepared organizational documents, resolutions, and minutes for over thirty domestic and international (China, Hong Kong, India) company subsidiaries
  • Lead counsel for nationwide rollout of beer and wine sales for large retailer for over 10,000 stores in 35+ states
  • Has actively prosecuted and obtained trademark registrations—state, federal, and international—for numerous clients, and has actively managed trademark portfolios for larger clients
  • Co-counsel for seller in acquisition of private healthcare company
  • Negotiated primary sponsorship agreement for large company with NASCAR racing team, as well as sub-licenses for vendors of client

Education

  • J. D., Vanderbilt University, 2003
  • B. A., summa cum laude, English (Professional Writing), University of Memphis, 2000

Professional Membership & Leadership

  • Member, Wyoming State Bar
  • Member, Tennessee Bar Association
    • Chair, CLE Committee, Tennessee Bar Association (2015–16); Vice-chair (2014–15); CLE Committee Member (2009-2017)
  • Legal Writing Institute
    • Bar Outreach Committee
  • Member, Laramie County Bar Association