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Portrait of Matthew J. Kramer
Partner

Matthew J. Kramer

A trusted advisor to franchisors, Matt leverages his in-house counsel experience to guide clients through complex disputes with strategic judgment and practical, business-focused solutions.

Matt is an experienced and pragmatic litigator and counselor.

He began his career at a mid-sized Chicago firm, representing clients in state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings nationwide, in a broad range of complex business disputes.

In 2015, Matt moved in-house to serve as Assistant General Counsel for a national franchise brand, where he managed all litigation for the company. Working closely with outside counsel and company leadership, he helped develop and implement case strategy and secured significant victories, including in matters involving joint employment and vicarious liability. Beyond litigation, he advised internal clients on a diverse range of issues, including franchise law and franchise relations, employment issues, marketing and advertising, regulatory compliance, vendor negotiations, and intellectual property—giving him firsthand insight into the operational and brand considerations that drive legal decision-making.

Since returning to private practice, Matt has focused on representing brands in disputes with franchisees and defending franchisor entities and their parent companies against third-party claims. His unique experience allows him to approach disputes strategically, balancing legal risk with practical business objectives to protect both the brand and the bottom line.

Did you know

When he worked at Jimmy John’s, Matt spent six weeks learning the business from the ground up in the restaurant, before he was allowed anywhere near the legal department.Matt loves baseball. When travelling during the season, he and his family try to visit at least one Major League Baseball stadium.Matt’s dad is from Beverly and his mom is from Oak Lawn, so he truly believes that being a White Sox fan is hereditary.Matt is a huge fan - and strong defender - of public transportation. He would almost always rather take a train than drive or ride in a car.Matt will never turn down a game of Euchre and spends a lot of time trying to start one.Matt reads almost exclusively biographies and other non-fiction books, but his favorite book is a work of fiction – A Confederacy of Dunces.Matt doesn’t drink coffee and has zero haircut expenses.

Credentials & Contributions

Education

  • Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, University of Illinois College of Law
  • Bachelor of Science, with honors, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bar Admissions

  • State of Illinois
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • Northern District of Illinois
  • Central District of Illinois
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • Western District of Wisconsin

Associations

  • International Franchise Association
  • American Bar Association Forum on Franchising