Stephanie Zosak

Stephanie Zosak

Of Counsel
About

Stephanie Zosak focuses her practice in the areas of United States and international franchising, licensing and distribution.

Stephanie has extensive experience in advising clients in the retail, food and beverage, and hospitality industries on their international expansion through various franchise and distribution models, including master franchising, area development, and joint venture relationships, in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.  Stephanie supports clients at every stage of the franchise and distribution relationship, from negotiation of agreements to addressing default and termination issues.

Stephanie's practice also involves assisting large franchisors in the food service and automotive sectors with franchise securitization transactions.

Stephanie frequently writes and speaks on international franchising matters, including for the International Franchise Association's Legal Symposium and the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising's The Franchise Lawyer.

Stephanie is a member of the Chicago Office Managing Partner Task Force Committee and has been actively involved in the Chicago office's recruitment efforts.

Areas of FocusFranchise
Bar admissionsIllinois
Education
  • J.D., Northwestern University School of Law
  • M.S., Human Rights, London School of Economics and Political Science
    with merit
  • B.A., Northwestern University
    Phi Beta Kappa
    cum laude
    with honors

Pro Bono

In 2013, Stephanie assisted the Gender Commission of the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (Kosovo's bar association) on the development of a strategy to attract female members and deliver better services to women lawyers in Kosovo as part of a Legal Profession Project with New Perimeter, DLA Piper's non-profit affiliate dedicated to global pro bono projects. 

Stephanie's pro bono activity also includes participation in two of DLA Piper's Signature Pro Bono Projects in which she represented juvenile clients in criminal matters before the Illinois state criminal courts.

Seminars

  • Co-presenter, "Selling Franchises Internationally without getting into Trouble," International Franchise Expo in New York, June 16
  • Presenter, "Selling Franchises Domestically without getting into Trouble," International Franchise Expo in New York, June 16

Memberships And Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association

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