Aaron-Michael is a commercial litigator and trial lawyer. He has been lead counsel on numerous matters in state and federal courts across the country and in arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and JAMS. Aaron-Michael handles a wide range of franchise disputes, including defending against franchisee-initiated claims (individual, consolidated, and class actions); prosecuting franchisor-initiated claims (franchisee abandonment, enforcement of restrictive covenants, violations of trademark and unfair competition laws); and handling disputes with third-parties (tortious interference, misappropriation of trade secrets). Aaron-Michael has also litigated matters involving beer distribution rights and regularly advises suppliers and wholesalers on issues arising under various states’ beer distribution statutes. Aaron-Michael similarly advises his clients on matters arising under state franchise statutes and relationship laws, such as termination and nonrenewal.
Before joining Cheng Cohen, Aaron-Michael practiced at a large law firm, where he worked on a broad range of complex commercial matters and investigations.
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Education
- Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, Michigan State University College of Law (Class Salutatorian)
- Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, Ball State University (Class Valedictorian)
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Associations
- Topics and Articles Editor, Franchise Law Journal (2022)
- Task Force Member, IFA Annual Legal Symposium (2019-2020)
- International Franchise Association
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising
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Bar Admissions
- State of Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, Eastern District of Michigan, District of Colorado, and District of North Dakota
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Awards & Recognitions
- Future Leader Award, ABA Forum on Franchising (2023)
- Best Lawyers in America® – Franchise Law (2024)
- “Young Ones to Watch,” 1851 Franchise (2021)
- “Legal Eagle,” Franchise Times (2020 – 2023)
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Speaking & Publications
- Co-Speaker, “Risky Business: Best Practices for Communicating with Franchise System Shareholders”, ABA Forum on Franchising Webinar Series (August 2023)
- Co-Speaker, “Regulatory Watch: Gauging the Legislative Impacts on Franchising”, Franchise Times Legal Eagle Virtual Summit (March 2023)
- Speaker, “Recent Topics in Arbitration: What Litigators and Drafters Should Know”, ABA Forum on Franchising (Nov. 2022)
- Speaker, Franchise Time Legal Eagle Virtual Summit (April 2022)
- Moderator, “Strategies for Dealing with Franchisees who Close Their Units Prematurely,” Thought Leadership Roundtable, IFA Convention (February 2022)
- Moderator, “How to Use Financial Performance Representations as a Sales Tool,” Emerging Franchisor Conference ( November 2021)
- Co-author, with Tara Goodarzi and Charles Hoover, of “Rent-A-Center Ten Years Later: Surveying How Courts Analyze Franchise Agreement Provisions That Delegate Gateway Arbitrability Issues to the Arbitrator“, Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 40, No. 4, Spring 2021
- Moderator, “Systemwide Diversity and Inclusion”, IFA Legal Symposium (May 2021)
- Co-author, with Max Deleon and Gar Lauerman, of “Systemwide Diversity and Inclusion: Surveying the Current Landscape and Considering How to Move Forward” (May 2021)
- Panelist, “Practical Tips in Franchise Arbitration: With Speed, Fairness, and Cost in Mind“, American Arbitration Association (April 2020)
- Speaker, “IFA Basics Tracks Defaults and Termination”, IFA Legal Symposium (May 2019)