We are pleased to announce the addition of three new Cheng Cohen partners – Marlén Cortez Morris, Allison Grow and Antonia Scholz.

“Over the years, Marlén, Allison, and Antonia have consistently demonstrated the partnership values of legal excellence, dedication to the firm and the franchise community, and they’ve delivered top performances on behalf of the firm’s clients,” said Amy Cheng, founding partner of Cheng Cohen, LLC. “Our people are critical to our mission of providing excellent client service and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth and future at Cheng Cohen.”

Marlén is a commercial litigator who represents and advises franchisors on a wide range of issues including labor and employment matters, the enforcement and defense of franchise agreements, and disputes regarding regulatory matters. Marlén is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising (where she serves as an editor of the Forum’s Franchise Law Journal) and Section of Labor and Employment Law, the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, and the International Franchise Association (where she serves on the Diversity Institute Board). Marlén also serves on the Junior Leadership Board of the National Immigrant Justice Center and provides pro bono representation to Spanish-speaking clients in various immigration matters. Marlén has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers by being named to its “Rising Stars” list in the area of franchise law.

Allison litigates cases on behalf of franchisors and licensors across the country. She routinely handles claims for breach of contract, Lanham Act violations, unfair and deceptive trade practices, vicarious liability and franchise relationship law violations. In addition to her litigation practice, Allison advises inside general counsel, boards of directors, and other executives regarding numerous aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. Allison is a member of the International Franchise Association (where she serves on the Legal/Legislative Committee) and the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising and is also a CoChair of the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Network in Chicago. For the last three years, Allison has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers by being named to its “Rising Stars” list in the area of franchise law.  Allison will be  speaking on the protection of intellectual property at the International Franchise Association’s annual Legal Symposium in May 2017.

Antonia is a general corporate and commercial transactional attorney, representing franchise companies of all development stages, from industries as diverse as fitness, restaurants, and retail. Antonia also has significant general corporate and transactional experience in matters such as mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate restructuring, and securities laws. Antonia is a member of the International Franchise Association and the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising. Antonia is also the Young Lawyer’s Division Liaison to the ABA’s Governing Committee of the Forum on Franchising, and a Co-Chair of the International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Network in Chicago. Antonia was recently awarded the American Bar Association’s Future Leader’s award, which recognizes a young member who has demonstrated a substantial commitment to the Forum.