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    1. Home
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    3. Diana Vilmenay

      People
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Diana Vilmenay

      People

    Diana Vilmenay

    Department Attorney


    • Washington, DC
    • Office+1 202.664.9276
    • dvilmenay@nixonpeabody.com
    • Download vCard

    Introduction

    Diana partners with clients to develop and expand their franchise systems in the US and internationally. With more than a decade of experience in franchising, she counsels clients on a variety of franchise matters, including structuring franchise programs for growth domestically and abroad, mergers and acquisitions, compliance issues, and franchise relationship matters. She is adept at preparing franchise disclosure documents and managing domestic and foreign franchise filing and registrations.


    Diana draws on her previous experience as a commercial litigator to review, prepare, and negotiate all forms of commercial agreements with an eye towards protecting her clients' best interests. Her legal expertise is further highlighted by her writing and speaking engagements on international franchising, where she shares insights on legal and business topics governing the field.


    Her legal acumen is complemented by a proactive approach to client management. She mentors junior attorneys and collaborates with partners to drive the firm's strategic objectives.

    Practice Areas

    Franchising & DistributionMergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Transactions

    /My focus

    My legal practice centers around two core areas:

    Franchise and Distribution Law

    I offer in-depth guidance to clients on the complexities of franchise law, ensuring compliance with jurisdictional legal standards across global markets. My expertise extends to structuring franchise agreements that safeguard client interests while fostering sustainable business growth.

    Transactional Law

    I handle a spectrum of transactional matters, from negotiating commercial agreements to advising as franchise counsel on M&A matters.

    /Looking ahead

    Looking ahead, I anticipate significant developments in the regulatory framework governing international franchise operations, particularly in emerging markets. These changes will present both challenges and opportunities for our clients. By staying ahead of legal trends and adapting strategies accordingly, I look forward to helping our clients not only navigate these changes successfully but also avail themselves of opportunities to innovate and expand.

    /Insights

    • "Understanding International Franchising Strategies," U.S. Commercial Services, New York, NY, May 29, 2019 (co-presenter)
    • "Franchise 2.0: Tools for Taking Your Franchise Model to the Next Level," International Franchise Expo, New York, NY, May 31, 2018 (co-presenter)
    • "Thorny FDD Disclosure Issues," International Franchise Association, Washington, D.C., May 2018 (co-presenter/co-author)
    • "International Franchising in the 21st Century," U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Law Development Program, March 2018 (co-presenter)
    • "The State of Franchising in the USA," International Journal of Franchising Law, 2018 (co-author)
    • "Franchising Your Business," International Franchise Association, 2018 (co-author)
    • "The Role of Letters of Intent in International Franchise Transactions," Franchising World, June 2017 (co-author)
    • "Succession Planning and Related Requirements for Franchisees," MSBA Franchise and Distribution Law Committee Meeting, November 15, 2017 (presenter)
    • "My Addenda Say What? A Review of State Mandated FDD and Franchise Agreement Addenda," ABA Forum on Franchising, November 2016 (co-author)
    • "International Franchise Sales Laws, Second Edition," ABA Forum on Franchising, August 2015 (chapter coordinator)
    • "Franchising in Asia 2015: Legal and Business Considerations," LexNoir Foundation, July 2015 (assistant editor/chapter co-author)
    • "United States," The Franchise Law Review, second edition, chapter 46, January 2015 (author)
    • "Franchising in Africa 2014: Legal and Business Considerations," LexNoir Foundation, July 2014 (assistant editor)
    • "Franchise World: A Burgeoning Middle Class Spurs Franchise Investment in Africa," Minority Business Entrepreneur, November 2012 (co-author)

    /Admitted to practice

    Virginia
    District of Columbia

    /Education

    Howard University School of Law, J.D.
    Georgetown University, B.A., French and Psychology

    /Languages

    French

    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • Kendal H. Tyre

      Partner, Co-leader, Franchising & Distribution
      • Washington DC
      • Office:+1 202.585.8368
      • ktyre@nixonpeabody.com
      Kendal H. Tyre
    • Keri A. McWilliams

      Partner / Co-leader, Franchising & Distribution / Deputy Co-leader, Food, Beverage, & Agribusiness
      • Washington DC
      • Office:+1 202.585.8770
      • kmcwilliams@nixonpeabody.com
      Keri A. McWilliams
    • Dan Deane

      Partner / Leader, Class Actions and Aggregate Litigation / Co-Leader, TCPA & Consumer Privacy Team
      • Manchester
      • Office:+1 603.628.4047
      • ddeane@nixonpeabody.com
      Dan Deane
    • Nathan Warecki

      Partner
      • Manchester
      • Office:+1 603.628.4077
      • nwarecki@nixonpeabody.com
      Nathan Warecki
    • Samantha E. Lopes

      Associate
      • Washington DC
      • Office:+1 202.585.8824
      • slopes@nixonpeabody.com
      Samantha E. Lopes
    View All

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