Flaster/Greenberg Launches Legal Seminar Series for Restaurateurs

Press Release

March 27, 2009

Cherry Hill, NJ

Flaster/Greenberg's Restaurant/Hospitality Industry Group will launch a series of monthly seminars tailored to restaurant owners and managers. The series of free breakfast workshops is planned to run from April through November 2009, and will cover a wide range of topics of particular interest to the industry, including intellectual property, labor and employment issues, leasing, insurance, taxation and liquor licensing.

The seminar series was developed to help restaurant owners adjust to some of the challenges facing the industry resulting from the current economic and regulatory climate and in response to requests from clients, according to Flaster/Greenberg shareholder Phil Kirchner, who heads the Restaurant/Hospitality Industry Practice Group at the firm.

"These are difficult times in the industry," he says, "but we can help our clients maximize the value in their business and operate profitably. This series will show restaurateurs and managers what to do right now, so that they are in a much better position once the recovery begins."

The first program is slated for April 20 and concerns protecting the most important part of a restaurant owner's business - its name - easily and affordably. Intellectual Property attorneys Jordan LaVine and Dennis Helms will show attendees how to use trademarks, service-marks and other methods to protect proprietary assets and increase their business values.

The full program schedule is below. For more information call 856.661.1900, ext. 2058; register online at events@flastergreenberg.com.

Monday, April 20

Intellectual Property: How to Protect and Enhance the Value of your Restaurant's Name

Speakers: Attorneys Jordan LaVine and Dennis Helms

What's in a name? Everything! Your restaurant's name is the most important part of your business. With untold hours and countless dollars spent crafting a brand to differentiate products and services from those of the competition, protecting it is a simple, inexpensive way to measurably increase your restaurant's net worth and the good will you have built.

We'll discuss how to easily and affordably protect your name, your logo, your signature dishes, recipes, and business methods with trademarks, service-mark registrations and other methods. We'll show you why it matters and the monetary difference it can make when it comes to valuation and appraisals.

Monday, May 11

Wage & Hour, Tip Credit, Immigration and Child Labor Issues

Speakers: Attorneys Adam Gersh, Ken Gilberg and Paul Russoniello

Monday, June 15

The Art & Science of Successful Restaurant Leasing

Speakers: Attorneys Allen Fineberg and Michele Tarantino; Steven Gartner, president, Metro Commercial Real Estate Inc.

Monday, July 20

Do you have the proper insurance coverage to protect your business?

Speakers: Attorney Frank Wisniewski and guest insurance expert

Monday, September 21

Strategies for Avoiding Litigation and Dealing with Bankruptcies

Speakers: Attorneys Phil Kirchner and Rick Dressel