Kathy Kotel

Kathy Kotel

Principal, Kotel Law PLLC
 

Sole-member law firm providing project-based legal work to franchisors and their in-house legal teams

 

Professional Experience

TGI Friday’s Inc. SVP, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Head of Business Affairs (2009-2017)

Responsible for corporate governance and global legal, risk management, and government-relations matters

McDonald’s Corporation, VP, US General Counsel (2004-2009)

Responsible for all legal issues arising in 14,000 restaurants across the United States

Prior roles: Divisional General Counsel and Departmental Managing Attorney (1995-2004)

Board Experience

  • American Bar Association Forum on Franchising: Governing Committee Member 2008-2014; Membership Officer 2010-2014; Corporate Counsel Committee Member 2004-2007

  • TGI Friday’s Have a Heart 501(c)(3): Executive Director, 2014-2017; Director 2011-2014

Education and Admissions

  • Texas Bar admission: 2019

  • Illinois Bar admission: 1986

  • J.D., summa cum laude, The John Marshall Law School, 1986

  • B.S., University of Illinois, 1981

Recent Speaking and Publications

American Bar Association Forum on Franchising

  • Buying and Selling a Franchised Business: Guiding a Franchisee Through the Process (2019)

  • The Annotated Franchise Agreement: co-authored chapter on Operation of the Business (2018)

  • New Fees, Same Work: Preparing and Responding to Alternative Fee Arrangements (2017)

  • Fair or Foul: Use of Guest Surveys and Customer Feedback (2015)

  • Corporate Counsel Roundtable workshop moderator (2014)

  • Food, Glorious Food: Legal Issues Peculiar to Food Service Franchising (2013)

International Franchise Association

  • Raising Capital for Franchisors: Beyond the X (2019)

  • Leading Your Franchise System: Can this Franchisee Be Saved? (2014)

Association of Corporate Counsel, Dallas Chapter

  • Annual Chief Legal Officer Forum panelist (2014)