Robin M. Spencer

Partner

Robin M. Spencer concentrates her practice in the arbitration and litigation of complex commercial litigation, including franchise, distribution and antitrust matters involving manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and dealers, as well as franchisors and franchisees in a variety of service, hotel and food systems. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Spencer advises suppliers, manufacturers and franchisors with respect to their supply/distribution arrangements, programs and plans.

Significant matters in which Ms. Spencer has been involved include the prosecution and defense of trademark and trade secret cases, antitrust tying, price discrimination, price-fixing, and attempted monopolization claims, as well as issues arising under the franchise, distribution and dealership laws.

Ms. Spencer is an associate editor of the American Bar Association Franchise Law Journal and also has served on the Steering Committee of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Division of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising and on the Franchising Forum's Publications and Technology Committees. She is a frequent speaker and writer on franchise and distribution issues, as well as on intellectual property and litigation topics.

Ms. Spencer serves as a faculty member for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and has been selected as a "Leading Lawyer" in Franchise and Dealership Law. She has represented clients in state and federal courts throughout the country.

Publications

Ms. Spencer's recent publications include:

Franchise Desk Book, (Co-Author) American Bar Association (2008)

"Franchising and Distribution Currents," Franchise Law Journal (Spring 2008)

"Franchising and Distribution Currents," Franchise Law Journal (Spring 2007)

"Zealous Advocacy Or Sharp Practice? The Ethical Limits Of Hardball Tactics In Franchise Litigation," ABA Forum on Franchising (October 2006)

"Franchising and Distribution Currents," Franchise Law Journal (Summer 2006)

"Franchising and Distribution Currents," Franchise Law Journal (Summer 2005)

"Is Your Business Relationship a Franchise? It Might Be," The Corporate Lawyer (March 2004)

"The One Who Knew Too Much: Litigation of Trade Secret and Espionage Claims," ABA Forum on Franchising (October 2003)

"Texas Court Expands 'Inevitable Disclosure' Doctrine," The Franchise Lawyer (Summer 1999)

Speeches and Presentations

Ms. Spencer's recent presentations include:

"Zealous Advocacy Or Sharp Practice? The Ethical Limits Of Hardball Tactics In Franchise Litigation," ABA Forum on Franchising (October 2006)

"Arbitrating Antitrust Claims in Franchise and Dealership Disputes," ABA Antitrust Section Panel (May 2004)

"The One Who Knew Too Much: Litigation of Trade Secret and Espionage Claims," ABA Forum on Franchising (October 2003)

"The Road Warriors: Effective Direct and Cross Examinations in Franchise and Distribution Disputes," ABA Forum on Franchising (October 2003)

"Essentials of Franchising," ABA Annual Meeting (August 2001)

"Franchisor's Guide to Web Site Content — Practical Legal Considerations," Annual International Franchise Association Roundtable (2000)

Pro Bono Activities

Supervising partner for asylum matters referred by the National Immigrant Justice Center.

Awards and Honors

Leading Lawyer — Franchise & Dealership Law, Illinois Leading Lawyers Network

Who's Who Legal — Illinois, Franchise

Education

Teaching Appointments

Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Forum on Franchising
         Franchise Law Journal, Associate Editor
         Past member, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
              Steering Committee
         Past member, Publications Committee
         Past member, Technology Committee
Section of Litigation
Section of Antitrust Law