Susan E. Wells

Partner

Case Highlights

Franchise representation. Susan represented one of her franchisors from the time it began franchising until it had over 1,500 operational units and was acquired by a multi-brand franchise company. She has also represented a multitude of other franchisors in connection with structuring and operating their franchise systems.

Extensive regulatory and contractual knowledge. Susan represented an HMO and PPO for several years during their entry into the Arizona healthcare landscape, assisting them with their regulatory and contractual needs, until the time that they were acquired by a competitor.

Get To Know Susan In Her Own Words

"My goal is to facilitate the goals of my clients by understanding their business objectives and assisting them achieve those objectives with a level of risk that's acceptable to them."

"I act as a trusted advisor to my clients in connection with their business matters. Their best interests are my key focus. They value my direct, pragmatic advice that is designed to facilitate their business transactions and keep them out of litigation."

Professional Experience

Susan's 30 years of practice include mergers and acquisitions and securities at large law firms in Phoenix and New York City, as well as several years as a solo practitioner. That breadth of experience provides Susan the knowledge and experience necessary to assist clients with their complex transactions, while appreciating their entrepreneurial need for an attorney that offers practical advice in a cost-effective manner.
Susan's corporate and business practice encompasses all aspects of general business matters and commercial relationships in numerous industries, including contracts, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, regulatory compliance, choice of business entity, corporate governance and day-to-day operations, in addition to a wide variety of other arrangements.
Susan represents franchisors in connection with structuring and operating their franchise systems, compliance with franchise laws and drafting and negotiating Franchise Agreements. She also assists prospective franchisees in connection with their consideration of prospective franchise systems and review/negotiation of their Franchise Agreements.
Susan acts as "general counsel" for a number of her clients that either do not have attorneys on staff or may need to supplement their in-house capabilities.

Professional and Civic Service

American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising
Arizona State Bar Association
Member of the Scottsdale League for the Arts (the sponsoring organization of the Scottsdale Culinary Festival, the proceeds of which support arts programs in Arizona);
Former member of the International Rescue Committee Microenterprise Development Loan Committee
St. Mary's Food Bank volunteer