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Adler, Joseph Y., Hoffer Adler LLP Toronto - (416) 977-3444 - jadler@hofferadler.com
A founding partner of Hoffer Adler LLP and Trade-mark Agent. Practices corporate commercial law with
emphasis on franchising and distribution, IP law and cross-border trade. Counsel to numerous franchisors
throughout North America and abroad, franchisee associations and multi-unit franchisees. Writer, commen-
tator and speaker on franchising topics, including seminars organized by the Canadian Franchise Association
(CFA), the Ontario Bar Association and the International Franchise Association. Immediate Past Secretary
and General Counsel to the CFA (2011 to 2015); Board and executive member of the CFA (2007 to 2015); the
Canadian representative for the International Franchise Lawyers Association. Listed as a leading practitioner
in Franchising Law by Lexpert®; named as one of the top franchise lawyers in North America by the Franchise
Times; and included in various editions of the prestigious International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers, as
well as e Best Lawyers in Canada. Holds two BA degrees from York University, an LLB from Western, and
an MA from the University of Toronto.
Levitt, Edward N., Dickinson Wright LLP Toronto - (416) 646-3842 - nlevitt@dickinsonwright.com
Edward (Ned) Levitt is a partner at Dickinson Wright LLP, Toronto, Canada. He served as General Counsel
to the Canadian Franchise Association from 2000 to 2007 and, as a member of the Ontario Franchise Sector
Working Team, was instrumental in the creation of Ontario's franchise legislation. Levitt is currently a mem-
ber of the International Committee of the International Franchise Association. Among his many publications
is the leading text, Canadian Franchise Legislation, published by LexisNexis. Levitt is recognized by his peers,
e Best Lawyers in Canada and the International Who's Who of Business Lawyers as one of Canada's leading
franchise law practitioners. Levitt was the recipient of the Canadian Franchise Association's 1993 and 2007
Special Recognition Award, 2005 Franchise Support Services Recognition Award and a Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award in 2010. Levitt appears in e Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory as a leading lawyer in the area of
Franchise Law and has been continuously recognized in the Franchise Times Legal Eagles, Top 100 Franchise
Lawyers in North America.
Sutin, Debi M., Gowling WLG Hamilton - (905) 540-3259 - debi.sutin@gowlingwlg.com
Debi Sutin is a member of the firm's Business Law and Franchise and Distribution Law groups, and is one of
Canada's most-recognized franchise lawyers. With more than 25 years of experience, she counsels domestic
and international franchisors and manufacturers, across all industries, in all matters pertaining to the de-
velopment and operation of their franchise and distribution arrangements throughout Canada. Based out of
Gowling WLG's Hamilton, Ontario office, Sutin recognizes her clients' need for sound, practical business
advice and timely service. She is passionate about educating her clients on the wide range of matters they will
encounter as they expand operations into, and throughout, Canada. Sutin is regularly called upon to speak
on franchise and distribution-related matters at industry conferences and other events. She is a member of the
Executive of the Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Section, the Canadian Franchise Association, the
International Franchise Association and the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising and a member
of its Women's Caucus Committee.
FRANCHISING LAW
FRANCHISING LAW
