Bio

Ryan Palmer serves domestic and international clients across the restaurant, hospitality, retail, and service sectors. He counsels brand and concept owners in the development of franchise and distribution systems and helps businesses resolve disputes with franchisees and licensees. Ryan’s multi-unit retail experience includes representing clients in refranchising and franchise finance transactions and in the sale and acquisition of franchised brands. Ryan advises clients on a wide range of franchise finance transactions and represents lenders in franchise transactions. Because of his extensive background and reputation advising clients in the restaurant sector, Ryan is frequently interviewed by the media on matters affecting restaurants and hospitality. In 2020, his viewpoint was frequently sought out by journalists reporting on how restaurants could survive through the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. Ryan helps clients build and protect their brands through the strategic use of copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. He has reviewed and cleared hundreds of federal trademarks and assists clients in policing and defending their intellectual property assets. Clients rely on Ryan to provide day-to-day advice on all aspects of business law, including sales, acquisitions, contract review and drafting, and corporate and shareholder matters. A member of Lathrop GPM's Executive Committee, Ryan is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he teaches negotiations and mergers & acquisitions.