Howard R. Morrill

For more than 30 years, Howard Morrill has helped clients resolve complex legal questions and represented parties in business disputes involving franchise sales and regulation, closely held corporations, partnerships, as well as non-competition and confidentiality agreements.

Education and Work Experience

Howard holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and business administration from the University of Washington.  He also earned his Law Degree and an MBA from the University of Washington. Since 1987, Howard has practiced law in the Seattle area.  Howard was a co-founder and partner in a well-respected Seattle franchise and business law firm for 18 years; he also spent a number of years practicing in an of counsel role to another long established, Seattle law firm before launching Howard R. Morrill, Attorney at Law in 2016.

Associations and Awards

In addition to being a licensed member of the Washington State Bar Association, Howard is a member of the American Bar Association and its Forum on Franchising, as well as the King County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts of Washington, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit. Howard has also served as a mentor at the Seattle University Community Development and Entrepreneurship Clinic.

With his extensive knowledge of franchise law and practice, Howard has frequently been sought out for comment by business journalists, has appeared on radio and television, and has given multiple Continuing Legal Education presentations.  Howard has authored publications for both the WSBA and the ABA Forum on Franchising.  He has been the editor of the Franchise Law section of the Washington Lawyers Practice Manual since 2004.

Howard is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

Franchise Law

Many people believe that franchising is the best way to expand or purchase a business. However, because of real and perceived abuses in franchising, the industry has been regulated by several of the states and the Federal Trade Commission for decades.  The popular myths surrounding franchising are not only untrue, they can be dangerous.  And “franchise” is at times a misunderstood word; many so-called “licenses”, “partnerships” and other agreements are subject to franchise laws, whether the parties realized that at the time or not.  Whether you have a franchise, are considering the purchase of a franchise, or want to expand your business by allowing others to use your business concept, you can avoid expensive, painful consequences in the future by consulting Howard R. Morrill, Attorney at Law from the start.

To get straight forward, practical legal advice and direction, contact Howard at (206) 539-2604.

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