Michael J. Melvin

About Michael

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Mike is a corporate-commercial law partner in our Fredericton office. His primary practice areas are franchise, trademark and technology law.

Mike is recognized as a leading lawyer in the area of franchise law in The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory and as a leader in his field in the Chambers Canada  Guide. He has been listed in Best Lawyers® 2022 and the Chambers Canada 2023 Legal Rankings for Franchising. Mike is an active member of the Canadian Franchise Association’s Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee and frequently writes and speaks on legal matters affecting franchising.  He is a contributing author of the American Bar Association book Fundamentals of Franchising – Canada, 2^nd ed., released in 2018.

Mike drafts and reviews franchise agreements, license agreements and various types of distributor and dealer agreements.  For franchisors, he prepares franchise disclosure documents and advises regarding proper franchise disclosure practices.  He advises franchise clients with respect to corporate structuring and re-structuring of their businesses and assists them to implement growth strategies such as area development and master franchising.  He also frequently advises clients with respect to franchise disputes and franchisee terminations.

Mike is a Registered Trademark Agent and assists clients with all aspects of trademark law, including trademark applications, trademark opposition proceedings and trademark infringement matters, including “cybersquatting” disputes regarding infringing domain names.

Mike is active in the technology startup space and advises startup entrepreneurs with respect to incorporations and divisions of equity, protection of intellectual property and financing, among other matters.

Mike assists all types of businesses with matters of IP protection, licensing, purchases and sales of businesses, commercial financings and general commercial contracting.  Mike has particular experience with supply chain matters and frequently drafts, reviews and negotiates manufacturing and supply agreements.

Mike earned his law degree at the University of New Brunswick, where he was the recipient of several New Brunswick Law Foundation scholarships.