From the sharp rise of artificial intelligence in legal practice to sweeping Supreme Court decisions reshaping regulatory deference, the franchise industry faces a pivotal moment. The 2025 IFA Legal Symposium, hosted in partnership with the International Bar Association (IBA), is poised to confront it all.
Set for May 4th – 6th at the Grand Hyatt Washington in D.C., the 57th Annual Legal Symposium will gather more than 600 attorneys, franchisors, and industry stakeholders for what promises to be one of the most robust franchise law conferences in the world. The event caps off with the 40th Annual IBA/IFA Joint Conference on May 6th and 7th. This portion offering a powerful international extension to an already packed agenda.
What’s on the Docket? Law, Tech & Global Change
The 2025 symposium’s theme isn’t just legal; it’s transformational. As IFA Legal Symposium Task Force Chair Nina Greene noted in her welcome letter, “All three branches of government as well as regulatory agencies engaged in activities impacting franchising” in the past year.
Attendees can expect deep dives into:
- FTC guidance on franchise fees, dissected in the “Fees, Glorious Fees” session.
- SCOTUS rulings like Loper Bright and Jarkesy, examined for their chilling effect on agency rulemaking.
- Joint employer standards, a constantly shifting battleground for franchise compliance.
- And fast-emerging issues like AI-generated content, influencer marketing, and data ethics in franchise law.
A standout panel titled “Practical Application of Artificial Intelligence in a Franchise System” brings together top executives from Caring Senior Services, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP to discuss how AI is shaping everything from lead generation to vendor contracts.
In an ethics geared session, Kirk Nahra (Wilmer Hale) and Kevin Hein (Akerman LLP) will explore “The Ethical Issues of AI on the Practice of Law in 2025”, a hot topic in light of generative AI’s growing legal footprint.
Government, Regulators & Real Talk
Policy takes center stage with two can’t-miss fireside chats:
- One with Chris Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, discussing the new Trump administration’s franchise priorities.
- Another featuring Keith Sonderling, newly appointed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor, weighing in on labor and workforce regulation.
Meanwhile, the “Judicial Update” and “Meet the Regulators” sessions will offer rare face time with top attorneys from prominent franchise-focused law firms and major federal agencies, giving attendees an insider’s view into evolving enforcement strategies.
International Perspective and Networking Powerhouse
This year also marks the 40th Annual IBA/IFA Joint Conference, which is an international affair focused on global franchise law trends, including a “News from Around the World” roundup from top global attorneys.
The Joint Conference draws participation from high-profile firms and multinationals, making it one of the premier international networking and education events in the industry. As always, CLE and CFE credits are available across both programs.
On the networking front, attendees can expect multiple receptions, lunch roundtables, and refreshment breaks that are designed not just for schmoozing—but for solution-sharing.
Why It Matters
The 2025 Legal Symposium isn’t just a franchise law conference. It’s where the industry’s legal, regulatory, and business futures converge. From reshaping disclosure rules and tackling platform liability to preparing for the AI-driven client revolution, every attendee walks away better informed and better connected.
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