Practice Areas
Industries
Admissions
- Illinois
Education
J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, cum laude, 2002
Swedish equivalent of J.D. and Master of Law, Stockholm University, 1997
Profile
In her franchise law practice, Beata Krakus works with clients across the U.S. and around the globe. Beata has prepared franchise programs for concepts including real estate brokerages, hotels, restaurants and fitness and personal health systems, to name a few. Her work includes:
- U.S.-wide registrations of franchise programs.
- Advising on exemption-based franchising, avoiding certain franchise and business opportunity regulations.
- Advising on implementation of marketing funds and national advertising programs.
- Advising on pre-litigation disputes with franchisees and master franchisees.
- Negotiating area development agreements with large franchisees and area developers.
- Serving as mergers and acquisitions special counsel on franchise law matters
- Assisting with international deals.
Beata’s practice also encompasses other distribution models, and she assists clients in managing their distribution networks. These can consist of distributors/dealers, sales representatives or a combination of the two. She works with clients on ensuring form contracts are up to par and navigating equipment dealer laws, as well as assisting on terminations and renewals.
The legal rankings firm Chambers & Partners has repeatedly recognized Beata among the top franchise lawyers both globally and in the United States, noting her ability to combine legal and commercial aspects to determine the best solutions for clients. Her relationships with foreign companies and attorneys have helped her build a referral network of trusted counsel. The myriad aspects of international deals can be challenging, but Beata’s experience as an attorney in three countries — the U.S., Sweden and Poland — gives her a deeper understanding of differences in law and culture. She is fluent in Swedish and Polish, which enhances her ability to navigate international matters.
Before joining Greensfelder, Beata practiced franchise law at another large Chicago firm and interned for the Honorable Ann Claire Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. In Europe, she practiced in Warsaw with the Swedish law firm of Magnusson Wahlin, assisting foreign businesses with their activities in Poland.
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, former Governing Committee member
- The Franchise Lawyer, former associate editor
- International Franchise Association
- Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce, National Organization, Board of Directors; Chicago Chapter, Board of Directors
- International Distribution Institute, U.S. Country Expert on Distribution Law
- IBA International Franchising Committee, Officer
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Chambers USA, Nationwide Franchising, 2015-2022; Up and Coming, 2011-2014
- Chambers Global, Global Franchising, 2016-2019, Up and Coming, 2014-2015
- The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Law, 2013-2024; Chicago area Franchise Law Lawyer of the Year, 2021
- Franchise Times, Legal Eagle, 2013-2023
- Who's Who Legal: Franchise, 2011-2021; Global Elite and USA Thought Leader 2020-23
- Franchise Times, Legal Eagles Hall of Famer, 2022
- Crain's Notable Women in Law, 2020
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, Chair's Future Leader Award, 2013
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2023; Rising Star, 2010-2013
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
- Illinois Leading Lawyers, Franchise & Dealership Law and International Business & Trade Law
News & Insights
News
- August 17, 2023
- June 1, 2023
- January 26, 2023
- January 6, 2023
- December 8, 2022
- August 18, 2022
- Thomson Reuters, June 3, 2022
- June 1, 2022
- Franchise Times, April 2022
- 1851 Franchise, November 8, 2021
- August 19, 2021
- May 20, 2021
- Franchise Times, April 2021
- Franchise Times, February 19, 2021
- September 28, 2020
- September 4, 2020
- August 20, 2020
- July 14, 2020
- April 23, 2020
- August 15, 2019
- April 2019
- Congratulations to Beata Krakus and Leonard Vines on being named to the Franchise Times’ 2019 Legal Eagles listApril 2019
- August 2018
- July 2018
- May 3, 2018
- 1851 Magazine, April 2018
- Congratulations to Beata Krakus and Leonard Vines on being named to the Franchise Times’ Legal Eagles listApril 2018
- May 26, 2017
- Franchise Times, May 9, 2017
- March 16, 2017
- May 27, 2016
- April 1, 2016
- March 18, 2016
- March 17, 2014
- October 17, 2013
- Congratulations to the firm's newest officers: Shannon L. Haney, Jennifer M. Horrom, Beata Krakus and Thomas H. Mug.February 5, 2013
- John Baer, Lenny Vines, Beata Krakus and Chris Feldmeir named in 2013 The International Who's Who of Franchise LawyersSeptember 10, 2012
- Interview with Beata Krakus, "Mixed Bag. Does Wall Street affect Main Street financing?"Franchise Times, September 1, 2011
- Interview with Beata Krakus, "Without a social media policy, how do franchises know their 'core values are being conveyed'?"Chicago Business, March 14, 2011
- Chicago Daily Law Tribune, February 15, 2011
Seminars & Speaking Engagements
- Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Transatlantic Day, Stockholm, Sweden, February 7, 2023
- Moderator, "International Franchising 101"International Franchise Association 2022 Annual Convention, February 27, 2022
- Franchise Development WorkshopEuropean Women's Association, February 22, 2022
- Panelist, "Financial Performance Representations in a COVID-19 World"International Franchise Association 2021 Virtual Annual Convention, February 17, 2021
- "Politics and Business" webinarSwedish-American Chamber of Commerce Chicago, November 12, 2020
- "Advertising and Marketing Funds: What Are You Doing With 'My' Money?"ABA Forum on Franchising, Virtual Annual Meeting, October 27-30, 2020
- IDI Webinar, "Restarting After COVID-19 Lockdown"International Distribution Institute, September 15, 2020
- Panelist, "Legal Challenges in Growing Your Business"Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Chicago, February 20, 2020
- "Further Abroad: Beyond the Fundamentals of International Franchising"ABA Forum on Franchising, Denver, CO, October 16, 2019
- IFA 2019 Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV, February 26, 2019
- ABA Forum on Franchising Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, October 10-12, 2018
- Swedish Franchise Association, Stockholm, Sweden, November 7, 2017
- "Exemption-Based Franchising Throughout the United States"ABA Forum on Franchising Annual Conference, Palm Springs, California, October 18, 2017
- "Financing of Rebranding Costs"International Distribution Institute Conference, Paris, France, June 10, 2017
- IFA Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C., May 8, 2017
- ABA Forum on Franchising Annual Meeting, November 3-4, 2016
- "Is Your Distribution/License Agreement a Franchise Agreement in Disguise? Avoiding the Pitfalls of an Accidental Franchise"Association of Corporate Counsel Chicago chapter, September 7-8, 2016
- 48th Annual IFA Legal Symposium, Chicago, IL, May 3-5, 2015
- IBA/IFA 31st Annual Joint Conference, May 2015
- American Bar Association Petroleum Marketing Attorneys' Meeting, April 2015
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, October 2013
- International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, May 2013
- "The Use of Consultants and Paralegals in Franchising: Are you Aiding and Abetting the Unauthorized Practice of Law?"American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, October 2011
- International Franchising Association Legal Symposium, May 2010
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, October 2009
Publications
Articles & Books
- (The delivery of services by third parties does not only have advantages for franchisors and franchisees)Taylor Wessing Newsletter Franchise & Distribution (French language), January 2022
- Loyola Law November 2020 Alumni Events & News, November 5, 2020
- "Commercial Agency Distributorship Law"GTDT Practice Guides: Franchise, Chapter 11, May 2019
- Co-author, "The Annotated Franchise Agreement"ABA Forum on Franchising, 2018
- ABF Journal, November/December 2017
- Co-editor, Exemptions and Exclusions under Federal and State Franchise Registration and Disclosure Laws, American Bar Association2017
- Commercial Leasing Law & Strategy, December 2014
- “Lessons to be Learned from the European View of Good Faith”Franchising Business & Law Alert, September 2014
- “What Can U.S. Legislators Learn from the European View of Good Faith?”Franchising Business & Law Alert, August 2014
- “The Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing under U.S. Law”Franchising Business & Law Alert, March 2014
- Franchising World (reprinted with permission of International Franchise Association), January 2014
- Mergers and Acquisitions of Franchise Companies, American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising, 2nd Edition, January 2014
- LJN's Franchising Business Law Alert, March 4, 2013
- "New FTC Business Opportunity Rule May Apply to Some Exempt Franchisors"The Franchise Lawyer, January 28, 2013
- Franchising World, October 10, 2012
- "Social Media: The Legal Implications on Franchise Systems"LJN Franchising Business & Law Alert, Vol.18, No.6, March 2012
- International Journal of Franchising Law, Vol.10, Issue 1, 2012
- Franchise Law Journal, Vol.30, No.2, Fall 2010
- "Changes to the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Law Effective October 1, 2009"LexisNexis Emerging Issues Analysis, November 2009
- "Do Franchise Agreements Without Formal Expiration Dates Continue in Perpetuity?"Franchise Law Journal, Vol.28, No.4, Spring 2009
- "Observations on Negotiating Franchise Agreements in Today's Legal Environment"LJN Franchising Business & Law Alert, January 2007
- "A Time of Change? Franchising in Poland"International Franchising Newsletter of the International Bar Association Section on Business Law, October 2004
Blog Posts
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, March 10, 2023
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, September 2, 2022
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, November 10, 2021
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, March 10, 2021
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, June 8, 2020
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, March 27, 2020
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, March 19, 2020
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, March 18, 2020
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, December 15, 2017
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, November 2, 2017
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, June 16, 2017
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, September 28, 2016
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, June 15, 2016
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, January 7, 2016
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, October 23, 2015
- SimplyHR | Employment & Labor Blog , August 31, 2015
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, December 19, 2014
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, July 30, 2014
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, October 22, 2012
- Franchising & Distribution Law Blog, September 4, 2012