L. Seth Stadfeld

Law Firm Overview

Mr. Stadfeld is a member of Weston, Patrick, Willard & Redding, P.A. of Boston, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Brown University and Boston University School of Law. His practice has been concentrated in franchise and distribution law matters for over 20 years. He has counseled and represented dealers, franchisees, associations, franchisors and suppliers, both in litigation and transactions including franchise offerings and registrations.

Mr. Stadfeld has authored many articles and has served as a frequent speaker on franchise-related subjects for the American Bar Association, Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., The International Franchise Association, American Association of Franchisees & Dealers and Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys. Mr. Stadfeld is listed in the International Who's Who of Franchising Lawyers. He is a member of the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association's Forum Committee on Franchising, a nine member panel of franchise law specialists which helps formulate and implement policy for this group of lawyers numbering in excess of 2000. He teaches a course in franchise law at New England School of Law in Boston.

Mr. Stadfeld has represented franchise clients (franchisors, suppliers, franchisees, dealers and prospects) in a wide range of industries including automotive, petroleum, fast food, hotels, pet care, convenience store, retailing (including tires and auto parts, computer products and specialty), brokerage (real estate and business), personnel, personal care services, dry-cleaning, mail and related services, donuts, coffee, bagels, jewelry, day-care and children's services, telecommunications-fax, office equipment and ballroom dancing, among others.

Areas of Practice

• Franchising 100%
• Trademarks
• Business Litigation

Honors and Awards

• Listed in International Who's Who of Franchising Lawyers
• Nine Member Panel of Franchise Law Specialists, 2000

Published Works

• "Comment on Proposed U.S. Franchise Legislation: A Search for Balance", Commercial Law Journal, Vol. 97, No. 4, Winter, 1992
• "The FTC Franchise Disclosure Rule and Its Impact On Chapter 93A of the Massachusetts General Laws -- A Source of Protection For Consumer Entrepreneurs", Western New England Law Review, Volume II, No. 4 at 681, Spring, 1980
• "Chapter 13 - Business Disputes Under Chapter 93A", Chapter 93A Rights and Remedies, MCLE, Inc., 1989
• "Chapter 13 - Business Disputes Under Chapter 93A", Chapter 93A Rights and Remedies, MCLE, Inc., 1994
• "Chapter 13 - Business Disputes Under Chapter 93A", Chapter 93A Rights and Remedies, MCLE, Inc., 1997
• "Chapter 13 - Business Disputes Under Chapter 93A", Chapter 93A Rights and Remedies, MCLE, Inc., 2000
• "Franchise Brokerage Relationships", (ABA) Franchise Law Journal, Volume IV, No. 4 at 1, Spring, 1985
• "Effective Representation of Franchisees", MCLE, Inc., 1986
• The Franchise Selection Process, Women in Franchising, Inc., 1988
• "A New Foundation for Franchise Agreements" (Co-author), Rancho Mirage, CA, 1999
• "The Role of Trade Associations and Franchisee Associations in Franchising" (Co-author), Philadelphia, PA, 1998
• "Representing Franchisees" (Co-author), Phoenix, AZ, 1996
• "Life Cycles: Approaches to Franchisee Transfers" (Co-author), San Diego, CA, 1994
• "Multiple-Unit Franchising" (Co-author), San Antonio, TX, 1986
• "Franchise Sales Policies, Procedures and Control Mechanisms" (Co-author), Boston, MA, 1984
• "Franchise Terminations" (Co-author), San Diego, 1983
• "Franchising Currents", Franchise Law Journal American Bar Association, Chicago 1978-1988

Classes and Seminars

• Considerations in Preparing and Negotiating Arbitration Clauses In Franchise Agreements, Atlanta, GA, 1988
• Survey of State Little FTC. Acts and Consumer Protection Statutes, Chicago, 1981
• Negotiations and Agreements between a Franchisor and Its Franchisees, International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington, DC, 1999
• Hot Topics in Franchise and Distribution Law, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., Boston, MA, 1999
• State Little FTC Act Law; A Source of Non-Traditional Private Rights of Action in Franchise Relationships, International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington, DC, 1997
• Franchise Law for General Practitioners: Common Franchise Litigation Matters from the Franchisee's Perspective, Seminar on Franchise Law for the General Practitioner: The Basics and Beyond, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1996
• Relevant Massachusetts Decisions Under G.L. Chapter 93A, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, Inc., 1986
• Course in Franchise Law, New England School of Law in Boston

West Practice Categories

Business & Commercial Law, Franchising, Trademarks