Business & Corporate I AUGUST 26, 2014

Howard & Howard's Matthew J. Kreutzer Appointed a Commissioner of the CA State Board of Legal Specialization

Royal Oak, Michigan, August 26, 2014: Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC is pleased to announce that Matthew J. Kreutzer has been appointed a Commissioner of the California State Board of Legal Specialization's Franchise and Distribution Law Advisory Commission. This four-year appointment starts in September.

The California State Board of Legal Specialization administers the state’s legal specialization program, provides policies and guidelines for certification and recertification of specialists and recommends new specialty areas and modifications to existing specialty areas to the State Bar’s Board of Governors. As a member of the Franchise and Distribution Law Advisory Commission – one of eleven advisory commissions that support the Board of Legal Specialization – Mr. Kreutzer will be involved in the review and recommendation on certification and recertification applications to the Board of Legal Specialization for Franchise and Distribution Law; development and grading of the legal specialist examination for Franchise and Distribution Law; review and approval of applications for approved legal specialty education provider status and for individual education programs for Franchise and Distribution Law; as well as recommend revisions to the standards for certification and recertification to reflect the current practice in the area of Franchise and Distribution Law.

Mr. Kreutzer, who is based in the firm’s Las Vegas office, concentrates his practice in franchising, with an emphasis in transactional franchise law and franchise litigation. He has spent more than 15 years working with individuals and companies on issues relating to the franchise relationship.

Experienced in all facets of franchise law, Mr. Kreutzer assists both start-up and mature franchisors with developing, protecting and licensing their franchise and distribution systems. As part of this practice, he counsels companies regarding the laws and regulations pertaining to franchising nationwide and assists them in creating their contracts, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and other critical operational documents. He also responds to state administrative inquires and investigations, and obtains exemptions and interpretive opinions from regulatory agencies. With his background in franchise litigation, Mr. Kreutzer understands the risks inherent in the relationship and works with his clients to limit those risks so that those franchisors can focus on brand and system growth.

Mr. Kreutzer received his B.A., cum laude, from The American University in 1995 and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School in 1998. He is an officer of the California Franchise Law Committee and the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. Mr. Kreutzer is an AV® Peer-Review Rated attorney by Martindale Hubbell and was named a “Super Lawyer” in 2014 and 2013, and a “Rising Star” in 2012, by Mountain States Super Lawyers. He was honored as a “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times magazine in 2014 and 2013, and as one of the “40 Under 40” by In Business Las Vegas in 2010. He is licensed to practice in the States of Nevada, California and Maryland.

Author of the 'Forward Franchising' blog, located at www.forwardfranchising.com

About Howard & Howard

Founded in 1869, Howard & Howard is a full-service law firm with a national and international practice that provides legal services to businesses and business owners. The firm has offices in Michigan (Ann Arbor and Royal Oak); Illinois (Chicago and Peoria); and Las Vegas, Nevada. Howard & Howard’s major areas of practice include: bankruptcy and creditors’ rights; business and corporate; commercial litigation; employee benefits; environmental; estate planning; franchising; intellectual property; labor, employment and immigration; mergers and acquisitions; real estate; securities; and tax. Our distinguished backgrounds provide us with a solid understanding of the industries we serve, including, automotive and industrial; construction; energy and utilities; financial services; gaming; healthcare; and hospitality. For more information, please visit the firm’s website at www.howardandhoward.com.

Kady Volmering
PR and Communications Coordinator
248-723-0331
kvolmering@howardandhoward.com