Elizabeth M. Weldon

Elizabeth Weldon is a Certified Specialist in Franchise and Distribution Law, The State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. She concentrates her practice on business litigation, franchise litigation, and intellectual property litigation. Elizabeth represents both large and small businesses in commercial and intellectual property litigation matters, including breach of contract, tort, class action, trademark, and trade dress claims. Additionally, she represents franchisors in matters including breach of contract, trademark and trade name infringement, business competition torts, and franchise law claims.

Representative Presentations and Publications

• AB 5: The Codification of the ABC Test - A Franchising Perspective, Presenter, California Lawyers Association Webinar (December 12, 2019)
• Words Matter: A Litigator’s Perspective on Drafting and Interpreting Key Provisions in the Franchise Agreement, Co-Author and Co-Presenter, American Bar Association, 42nd Annual Forum on Franchising, Denver, CO (October 16-18, 2019)
• Special Session: California Assembly Bill 5: What You Need to Know Now, Co-Speaker, American Bar Association, 42nd Annual Forum on Franchising, Denver, CO (October 16-18, 2019)
•Lex Mundi Institute Cross-Border Dispute Resolution Program, Annual Conference Speaker (2013-2019)
• Fees, Initial Terms, and Renewal, Contributing Author, The Annotated Franchise Agreement (November 2018)
• 2018 Annual Developments, Co-Presenter, American Bar Association, 41st Annual Forum on Franchising, Nashville, TN (October 11, 2018)
• Annual Franchise and Distribution Law Developments, 2018, Co-Author, American Bar Association, 41st Annual Forum on Franchising (October 2018)
• Restoring Previous Joint Employer Standard Could Bring Clarity, Quoted, Business Insurance (September 25, 2018)
• Hidden Pitfalls in Commonly Negotiated Provisions in Key Business Documents, Co-Presenter, Association of Corporate Counsel (Southern California Chapter), Long Beach, CA (September 27, 2017)
• California Anti-SLAPP Motions: Potential Pitfalls for Plaintiffs, Co-Author (June 28, 2017)
• Enforcement of Noncompetition, Confidentiality and Related Agreements in California, Co-Presenter, The State Bar of California, Business Law Section Webinar (May 18, 2017)
• Insurance Dilemma - Challenges in Identifying Adequate Coverage for the Franchisor and Franchisee, Co-Presenter, American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising, Miami, FL (November 3-4, 2016)
• Strange Weather: California's Amended Franchise Relations Act, AB 525, Co-Author, Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 35, No. 4 (Spring 2016)
• Untangling the Tangled Webs We Weave: Joint Representation Issues in Franchise Cases, Co-Presenter, 49th Annual IFA Legal Symposium, Washington, DC (May 16-17, 2016)
• Can a Franchisor Avoid Becoming the Joint Employer of its Franchisee's Employees ? Co-Author, Franchising Opportunities in Southern California (September 14, 2015)
• Clash of Counsel: Franchise Litigation and Dispute Resolution From the Perspective of Counsel for Franchisors and Franchisees, Panelist, American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising Webinar (April 28, 2015)
• How to Litigate a Franchise Dispute, Co-Presenter, The State Bar of California Business Law Webinar (February 19, 2015)
• Top Five Legal Tips for Franchisors in 2014, Co-Author, Franchising Opportunities in Southern California (September 29, 2014)
• Keeping Current: Daimler AG v. Baumann, et al., 134 S. Ct. 746 (2014), Co-Author, Business Law Today (May 2014)
• U.S. and California Supreme Court Game-Changing Cases of 2013 and Beyond: How Will They Impact Your Business?, Speaker, Roundtable Presentation, Snell & Wilmer, Costa Mesa, CA (February 25, 2014)
• Spotting an Accidental Franchise: and Why it Matters To You, Co-Author, Orange County Business Journal (November 18, 2013)
• Disclaimers: A Powerful Tool of Franchisors or Fickle Follies in the Wake of the Amended FTC Franchise Rule?, Speaker, ABA 36th Forum on Franchising, Orlando, FL (October 16-18, 2013)
• International Trade Commission’s “fast-track” pilot program: be prepared for more speed, Co-Author, Lexology (October 4, 2013)
• Choice of Law and Choice of Forum: Has the Choice Already Been Made for You?, Panelist, The American Bar Association, Forum Committee on Franchising, Webinar (August 8, 2013)
• U.S. and California Supreme Court Game-Changing Cases of 2012 and Beyond: How Will They Impact Your Business?, Speaker, Roundtable Presentation, Snell & Wilmer, Costa Mesa, CA (February 26, 2013)
• LAIPLA Road Show at Whittier Law School, Panelist, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association, Costa Mesa, CA (September 6, 2012)
• Section 337: tips for discovery in ITC's rocket-docket, Co-Author, Daily Journal (May 8, 2012)
• U.S. and California Supreme Court Game-Changing Cases of 2011 and Beyond: How Will They Impact Your Business?, Speaker, Roundtable Presentation, Snell & Wilmer, Costa Mesa, CA (April 2012)
• Is Your Law Firm a Center of Influence for Your Business?, Co-Author, Los Angeles Business Journal, Vol. 33, No. 43 (August 22-28, 2011)
• Strategies for Fostering Productive Corporate Counsel Relationships, Co-Author, Orange County Business Journal, Vol. 34, No. 23 (June 6-12, 2011)
• Prelitigation Dispute Resolution Clauses: Getting the Benefit of Your Bargain, Co-Author, ABA Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 31, No. 1 (Summer 2011)
• Patent Litigation: The New Normal, Moderator, Be On Your Offensive Game: Managing Intellectual Property Litigation Costs With a Team Approach, Association of Corporate Counsel SoCal, Long Beach, CA (June 2011)
• Model Jury Instructions: Copyright, Trademark and Trade Secret Litigation, Contributing Author, ABA Section of Litigation (May 2008)
• Practically Irrigable Acreage Standard: A Poor Partner for the West's Water Future, Note, 25 Wm. & Mary Envt'l L. & Pol'y Rev. 203 (2000)

Professional Recognition and Awards

•The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Law (2016-2020)
•Legal Eagles, Franchise Times (2011-2020)
•Legal Eagles Hall of Fame (2020)
•Southern California Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition, Franchise/Dealership, Business Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation (2007-2016)
• The Top Women Attorneys in Southern California, Los Angeles Magazine (2014, 2016)
•Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service, State Bar of California (2013)
•Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), Southern California Chapter “Rising Stars” (2012)

Community Involvement

•Girls Inc. Orange County
•Board of Directors (2011-2019)
•Secretary (2013-2015)
•President Elect (2015)
•President (2016-2017)
•Friends of READ/Orange County (2005-2009)
•President (2006-2009)

Other Professional Experience

•Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre & Friedlander, P.A., Associate, Phoenix, AZ
•United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Extern for Hon. Barry G. Silverman

Related News & Events

• Apr 02
Franchise Times Welcomes Snell & Wilmer Partner Elizabeth M. Weldon Into the Legal Eagle Hall of Fame

• May 17
Snell & Wilmer Partner Elizabeth M. Weldon Achieves Board Certification in Franchise and Distribution Law

• Apr 11
Franchise Times Recognizes Snell & Wilmer Partner Elizabeth M. Weldon as a 2019 Legal Eagle

• Jan 17
California Partner Elizabeth M. Weldon Published in the Annotated Franchise Agreement

• Oct 23
California Partner Elizabeth M. Weldon Presents Annual Developments at the American Bar Association's 41st Annual Forum on Franchising

• Aug 15
139 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers Listed as Leaders in Their Fields by The Best Lawyers in America 2019
Eleven Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2019 Lawyer of the Year

• Apr 09
Franchise Times Recognizes Two Snell & Wilmer Partners as 2018 Legal Eagles

• Aug 15
The Best Lawyers in America 2018 Lists 133 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in Their Field

• Jun 28
Snell & Wilmer Partner Elizabeth Weldon Named a Fellow of The Litigation Counsel of America

• Jun 26
Franchise Times Recognizes Two Snell & Wilmer Partners as 2017 Legal Eagles

• Jan 17
Snell & Wilmer Renews Commitment to Los Angeles
Moves to 31st Floor of Two California Plaza

• Aug 15
The Best Lawyers in America 2017 Lists 125 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers As Leaders In Their Field
In addition, 15 Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2017 “Lawyer of the Year”

• Jul 01
Southern California Super Lawyers Recognizes Sixteen Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• Jun 28
Strange Weather: California's Amended Franchise Relations Act, AB 525
Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 35, No. 4. (Spring 2016)

• Apr 14
Franchise Times Recognizes Two Snell & Wilmer Partners as 2016 Legal Eagles

• Jan 12
Elizabeth Weldon Elected as Girls Incorporated of Orange County Board of Directors President

• Sep 14
Can a Franchisor Avoid Becoming the Joint Employer of its Franchisee's Employees?
Franchising Opportunities in Southern California

• Aug 17
The Best Lawyers in America 2016 Lists 128 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in their Field
In addition, 19 Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2016 “Lawyer of the Year”

• Jun 10
Six Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Named Rising Stars by Southern California Super Lawyers

• Jan 15
Elizabeth Weldon Elected as Girls Incorporated of Orange County Board of Directors President Elect

• Sep 29
Top Five Legal Tips for Franchisors in 2014
Franchising Opportunities in Southern California - An Advertising Supplement to the Los Angeles Business Journal

• May 28
Keeping Current: Daimler AG v. Baumann, et al., 134 S. Ct. 746 (2014)
Business Law Today

• Apr 22
Franchise Times Recognizes Two Snell & Wilmer Attorneys as 2014 Legal Eagles

• Nov 18
Spotting an Accidental Franchise: and Why It Matters to You
Orange County Business Journal

• Aug 12
Super Lawyers 2013 Recognizes 96 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
Also Names 45 Firm Attorneys to the 2013 Rising Stars List

• Apr 26
Franchise Times Recognizes Two Snell & Wilmer Attorneys as 2013 Legal Eagles

• Oct 26
Elizabeth Weldon Honored at National Association of Women Business Owners - Orange County 2012 Remarkable Women Awards

• Jun 27
Super Lawyers 2012 Recognizes 80 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys

• May 08
Section 337: tips for discovery in ITC's rocket-docket

• Apr 20
Elizabeth Weldon Named Rising Star By ACC-SoCal

Related Publications

• Aug 29
Legal Alert - Patterson v. Domino’s: California Supreme Court Lends Important Guidance on Franchisor Liability

• Oct 04
Global Connection - October 2013

• Feb 08
Global Connection - February 2013

• Aug 13
Global Connection - August 2012