Earsa R. Jackson and Latasha R. Thomas to speak at International Franchise Association's Annual Conference
Attorneys Earsa R. Jackson and Latasha R. Thomas will deliver the “New Opportunities Await – Uncover A Diamond in the Rough” presentation, during the International Franchise Association’s Annual Convention being held February 24 – 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, NV.
About the presentation, Thomas noted, “It’s important to further education around franchise opportunities to increase the number of small businesses. These enterprises are a key driver of job creation and growth in disadvantaged communities. We look forward to presenting at this conference as a means of encouraging small business investment and creation. These businesses can be such a powerful engine of socioeconomic change.”
The success of any business is often measured by how efficiently it responds to change. The shifting demographics in the United States present a unique opportunity for franchise brands to expand into once under-represented communities and reach untapped talent. This program will explore a revitalization project in an urban area and explore ways this revitalization can be replicated in other areas of the country, cover various incentives offered by municipalities for businesses, explain the new Opportunity Zones created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and explore how Opportunity Funds may be utilized to spur franchise growth.
This program is relevant to all system sizes and was developed by the Diversity Institute Advisory Board.
Earsa R. Jackson serves as Chair for Clark Hill Strasburger’s Franchise & Distribution team and is the Chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee. She structures franchises and assists franchisors with on-going transactional needs while also handling litigation matters in business and commercial, False Claims Act, business torts, franchise and distribution, trademark infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, contract disputes and probate. Earsa has written and spoken extensively on franchise issues and is a former Director of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Division for the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. She is a Certified Franchise Executive.
Latasha R. Thomas is Senior Counsel in Clark Hill’s Government and Public Affairs Practice Group. She focuses her practice on solving her clients’ issues with federal, state and local governments, municipal finance, economic and urban development, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and business transactions, including private equity investing. Latasha is widely respected by legislators throughout Chicago, Cook County and Illinois.
The International Franchise Association’s Annual Convention is franchising’s biggest event for business development and personal growth.