Richard D. Leblanc

Partner

Toronto

Office

416.595.8657

[email protected]

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Industries & Expertise

Biography

BAR ADMISSION

Ontario, 1997

Education

LL.B, University of British Columbia
B.Soc.Sc. magna cum laude (Political Science), University of Ottawa

Languages Spoken

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Richard Leblanc is a trusted advisor in corporate and commercial law, specializing in franchising and distribution, secured lending, and mergers and acquisitions of private companies. Leveraging his extensive experience, Richard provides strategic advice, assists clients with their business transactions, and advises on their day-to-day needs that run the gamut from entity formation to shareholder agreements and key contracts. His experience ranges from loan agreements and debt financing to purchase and sale agreements, to disclosure and compliance within franchise law.

An active voice in the legal community, Richard regularly contributes to his field of experience and knowledge through speaking engagements and publications. His many presentations at legal conferences demonstrate his in-depth knowledge of franchise law and its practical applications. Through frequent contributions to legal publications, Richard keeps clients informed and empowered as they navigate the complex modern legal landscape.

Holding an LLB from the University of British Columbia and a degree in political science (magna cum laude) from the University of Ottawa, Richard combines academic prowess with practical experience. A member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Bar Association, Richard’s accolades in banking and finance as well as franchise law speak for themselves. Recognized for his excellence by The Best Lawyers in Canada and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Richard is a seasoned professional dedicated to providing the highest quality legal services. With a Platinum Client Service Award and a background as a clerk at the Federal Court of Appeal, Richard’s experience is extensive.

Industry involvement

Recognition

The Best Lawyers in Canada – Franchising Law, 2015 – 2025; Banking and Finance Law, 2025
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory – Franchising Law, 2015 – 2024
Who’s Who Legal, Canada Guide – National Leader; Canada – Franchising, 2022; Global Leader, Franchising, 2023
Richard Leblanc receives 2017 Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award.
Public affairs liaison for the Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law group, 2015
Clerk to the Honourable Mr. Justice Robert Décary, Federal Court of Appeal, 1995 – 1996

Thought leadership

Presentations

Speaker, “Development Considerations for the Franchisor”, Ontario Bar Association’s 18th Annual Franchise Law Conference, November 13, 2018
Chair of round table session respecting Franchising in Canada at the 54th Annual International Franchise Association Convention in New Orleans, February 25, 2014
Bringing a Franchise System to Canada, roundtable moderator, International Franchise Association Annual Convention, February 2014
The Silent Partners: Franchisor’s Associates, Brokers and Agents and why so many Lawsuits Name Them – Presented by Richard D. Leblanc and Daniel MacKeigan: 13th Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Conference, November 19, 2013
Franchise Buybacks – Round table Session, 12th Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Conference, November 6, 2012
Co-Chaired a round table with Larry Weinberg entitled “Expansion to Canada – Is Now the Time” at the International Franchise Association’s 52nd Annual Convention, February 14, 2012
The Arthur Wishart Act – An Overview, Ontario Bar Association Institute 2012, February 9, 2012
Chaired a round table on Scope of Franchise Disclosure in light of recent cases such as Dollar It at the CFA Franchise Law Day, February 2, 2012
Expansion to Canada, is Now the Time?, roundtable moderator, International Franchise Association Annual Convention, February 2012
Advertising Funds, roundtable moderator, 11th Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Conference, November 2011
Mergers and Acquisitions of Franchise Systems, Franchise Voice, Canadian Franchise Association, June 2011
Drafting Enforceable Non-Competition Covenants, 3rd Essentials of Commercial Contracts Course, Federated Press, June 20, 2011
Earnings Claims: Dangers of Why and Why Not, Canadian Franchise Association Annual Convention, April 2 – 5, 2011
The Enforcement of Franchisee Releases and Settlement Agreements in Light of the Tutor Time and Midas Cases, Canadian Franchise Association Legal Day, March 2, 2011
Advising the Franchisor on the Use of Financial Performance Representations, 10th Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Conference, November 25, 2010
Cyber Brand Attacks – Defeating Cyber Bullies, Canadian Franchise Association Legal Day, March 2, 2010
Refranchising: An Overview of Franchise Re- Sales and Transfers, 2009 Canadian Franchise Association National Convention, May 3 – 5, 2009
It’s Not All About the Wishart Act: Consumer Protection Laws Relevant to Franchising, Canadian Franchise Association Legal Day, March 3, 2009
New Franchise Clients, Putting Principles into Practice – Presented by Richard D. Leblanc and Joseph Adler: 8th Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Conference, November 25, 2008
Signing on the Dotted Line: The Legal Side of Franchising Your Business, Canadian Franchise Association Convention Franchise Show, October 21, 2007
Franchise Disclosure in Canada in 2007 and Beyond, Presented by Richard D. Leblanc and Peter Macrae Dillon., 6th Annual Ontario Bar Association Franchise Conference, November 16, 2006
Privacy Legislation in Ontario and its Application in the Appraisal Industry, Fee Appraisers’ Symposium 2005, Toronto, February 4, 2005
Franchising in Ontario: An Overview for Prospective Franchisors and Franchisees, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Miller Thomson Legal Series Seminars, January 11, 2005

Publications

“Is it Time to Expand my Franchise Concept Internationally”, Ask the Experts, The Franchise Voice, Winter 2016, Volume 7, Issue 1.
“Selling your Franchise: Is it Time?”, FranchiseCanada Magazine, April 2016.
Legislative Developments, Retail Industry Update, July 2015
Legislative Developments, in The Franchise Voice, Canadian Franchise Association, May 2015
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Franchise 2015 – A practical cross-border insight into franchise law, 1st edition, Jurisdictional Chapter: Canada, Global Legal Group, 2014
“Oh, Canada” Franchise Times, May 2014
“Wok Box cleans up its franchise act after ‘fire storm’ over early approach”, Franchise Focus, National Post, April 28, 2014
Legislative Update: New Laws Affecting Franchise Systems, The Franchise Voice, April 10, 2014
Chapter 8 on Franchising in Business Laws of Canada published by West (a Thomson Reuters business) and edited by Miller Thomson LLP, 2014
The Case for Electronic Disclosure (in Ontario), Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Newsletter, June, 2013
The Hallmarks of a Strong Franchise System, Franchise Voice, Canadian Franchise Association, August, 2012
What do I need to know about Mergers and Acquisitions?, The Franchise Voice, 2011
“Franchise Disclosure Legislation” in Sale of a Business, LexisNexis Canada, 9th Ed., 2011
Drafting Enforceable Non-Compete Covenants, 3rd Essentials of Commercial Contracts Course, Federated Press, 2011
Mergers and Acquisitions of Franchise Systems, Franchise Voice, Canadian Franchise Association, 2011
The Enforcement of Franchisee Releases and Settlement Agreements in Light of the Tutor Time and Midas Cases, 2011
It’s Not All About the Wishart Act: Consumer Protection Laws Relevant to Franchising, 2009
“As a new franchisee, what do I need to know about commercial leasing?”, Franchise Canada Magazine, Ask the Experts column, 2009
Signing on the Dotted Line: The Legal Side of Franchising Your Business, 2009
Refranchising: An Overview of Franchise Re- Sales and Transfers, 2009
Case Comment: 1518628 Ontario Inc. et al v. Tutor Time Learning Centres, LLC, et al. [2006] O.J. No. 3011 (S.C.J.), confirmed on appeal April 12, 2007, Business Beat Magazine, 2007
Franchise Disclosure in Canada in 2007 and Beyond, Franchise Disclosure in Canada in 2007 and Beyond, Presented by Richard D. Leblanc and Peter Macrae Dillon., 2006
Privacy Issues in Franchise Relationships: A Practical Guide, Canadian Franchise Review, 2006
Privacy Legislation in Ontario and its Application in the Appraisal Industry, Fee Appraisers’ Symposium 2005, 2005
Franchising in Ontario: An Overview for Prospective Franchisors and Franchisees, 2005
Franchise Expansion by System Acquisition: Principal Issues and Concerns, 2004
Disclosing without Fear: Tips and Strategies for Effective Disclosure to Prospective Franchisees, 2003

Notable matters

Franchising

Acted for motor vehicle manufacturers in relation to system wide purchase and sale, termination and renewal issues;
Acted for a multi-unit franchisee in establishing Canadian credit facilities for expansion of its Canadian QSR outlets pursuant to its area development rights;
Acted for a private equity investor in the purchase of a large portfolio of Canadian outlets of a multinational QSR concept
Assisted a Canadian franchisor with franchise resale issues in the context of the sale by receiver of an insolvent franchisee’s assets;
Negotiated a master franchise agreement to assist a U.S. based home maintenance franchisor in developing its international expansion plans;
Advised a U.S. executive training franchisor with respect to Canadian franchise law, Canadian documentary requirements and the legal requirements for doing business in Canada;
Advised a major Australian food service franchisor with respect to its Canadian expansion plans and drafted appropriate Canadian documentation to assist in this expansion;
Drafted franchise agreements and disclosure documentation for Canadian and U.S. franchisors operating in Ontario;
Administered franchise litigation in the enforcement of restrictive covenants against a competing former master-franchisee;

Other

Advised a cloud computing business with respect to business structuring and advised through angel and venture capital investment rounds;
Advised an integrated food processor with respect to the acquisition of additional processing capacity in Ontario;
Acted as Canadian counsel on behalf of a multi-unit hotel owner with respect to a $3B cross border loan facility;
Advised a community health services provider with respect to the negotiation of a project infrastructure loan for the construction of a modern building and facilities;
Advised a Canadian Schedule I Bank and draft loan and security documentation with respect to secured term and revolving credit facilities offered to private company lenders;
Advised a minority shareholder group of their rights in the context of a corporate takeover and exercise of a compulsory drag-along;
Negotiated a technology supply and licence agreement in connection with a client’s purchase of infrastructure assets under a design build contract;

Memberships & affiliations

Law Society of Ontario
Canadian Bar Association (Business Law Section)
Canadian Franchise Association
American Bar Association (Business Law Section)
Ontario Bar Association Corporate Law Sub-Committee
Canadian Franchise Association Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee
Member of Section Executive, Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Section

Richard D. Leblanc

Industries & Expertise

INDUSTRIES

EXPERTISE

Biography

BAR ADMISSION

Education

Languages Spoken

Team Heading

Deals & cases

Representing Northern Commerce Inc., Yellow Pencil Inc. and NH Labs Inc. in connection with their sale to Beringer Capital

JACQUET Metals Canada acquires Fidelity PAC Metals

Levitee Labs enters into credit facility for up to $12 million

Insights

Ontario’s Bill 154 Cutting Unnecessary Red Tape Act amends franchise regulation

News

Lexpert recognizes 117 Miller Thomson lawyers in annual ranking of leading Canadian practitioners

Miller Thomson ranks in Best Lawyers in Canada 2024

Industry involvement

Recognition

Thought leadership

Notable matters

Memberships & affiliations

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