Benjamin A.  Levin
Managing Partner

Benjamin A. Levin

Education
  • George Washington University Law School (J.D., with honors 1977)

  • State University of New York (M.Ed. 1974)

  • American University (B.A. 1972)

Admissions
  • New Jersey (1979)
  • Pennsylvania (1979)
  • District of Columbia (1977)

Benjamin A. Levin is the managing partner of the firm. He represents global food manufacturers, national franchise companies and serves as outside general counsel to several companies based in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Known for being an outstanding problem-solver, Ben is a highly experienced and trusted attorney who cares deeply for his clients and has tremendous respect for the legal profession.

The best way to describe Ben’s role in companies is to let one of our clients explain it. “We feel like Ben is part of our company. He puts structure to our ideas. He’s the guy I go to. Ben has been a great resource and he understands our long-term goals.”

Ben’s business practice includes general counsel services to domestic and multinational companies, business and commercial agreements, the buying and selling of business assets and equity interests, protecting trade secrets and confidential business information, risk management, e-commence issues, product development and intellectual property protection, vendor and supplier counseling, and exit strategies for the business owner.

Ben’s franchise, licensing and distribution practice includes analysis and documentation of franchise and other distribution relationships, licensing of intellectual property, franchise, distributor and dealer disputes and terminations, compliance with franchise laws and regulations, preparation of franchise disclosure documents, and the buying and selling of franchise systems.

Certified as a neutral arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association’s National Registry of Commercial Arbitrators, Ben has arbitrated several national dealer and franchise disputes and termination matters.  Ben also mediates disputes among business owners, suppliers and distributors/dealers, and franchisors and franchisees.

Ben was co-chair of the American Bar Association’s 26th Annual Forum on Franchising; served a three-year term on the Governing Committee of the ABA’s Forum on Franchising; and was founding Chair of the Franchise Law Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association.  He has been a featured speaker at numerous seminars on legal issues related to business and franchising, and has written and co-authored articles on similar topics for a range of national and state publications.  Ben’s honors and recognitions include The Best Lawyers of America© (2020 through 2023) (Business Organizations), U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers (2008 through 2023) and International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers (2004 through 2023).  He has an “AV®” preeminent peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell®.

Ben serves on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County.  He has been on its executive committee and was recently honored for his work with the Club.  Ben served for more than a decade as a Board Trustee of Congregation Beth El, holding officer positions his last few years on the Board.  He also served as a Board member of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey.  Ben also serves as a Trustee of the Marvin Samson Foundation.

Ben received his law degree from George Washington University Law School (J.D. 1977), with honors.  He is a graduate of American University (B.A. 1972), and the State University of New York (M.Ed. 1974).  He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia (1977), New Jersey (1979), and Pennsylvania (1979).

“Overview of Franchise Laws and Regulations,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2014 Franchising Seminar, August 2014

“Franchise and Distribution Relationships,” 2011 Business Law Symposium, NJICLE Seminar, April 2011

“Advanced Disclosure Issues: Pushing the Envelope,” The American Bar Association 33rd Annual Forum on Franchising, San Diego, October 13-15, 2010

“Franchise and Distribution Law Developments,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute Seminar, April 2007

“The Impact of the Uniform Commercial Code on Franchising,” 29th Annual Forum on Franchising, October 2006

“Understanding Franchise and Distribution Law Issues,” NJ ICLE Seminar, June 2005

“Proposed Changes to the FTC Franchise Rule,” International Franchise Association Franchise Development Series, April 2005

“Financing a Franchise,” 37th Annual International Franchise Association’s Legal Symposium, May 2004

“New Jersey, in COVENANTS AGAINST COMPETITION IN FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS,” (Michael R. Gray & Natalma M. McKnew eds.), Co-author, ABA Forum on Franchising, 4th ed. 2023

“Importance of Due Diligence in Franchise System Acquisitions,” Co-author, The Legal Intelligencer, March, 2002

“Franchisor Encroachment and the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing,” 201 New Jersey Lawyer 26, February 2000

“Goodwill at the Franchised Location: Who Owns It?” 18 Franchise Law Journal 85, Winter, 1999

“Franchisor Attempts to Control the Dispute Resolution Forum: Why the Federal Arbitration Act Trumps the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Decision in Kubis,” Co-author, 29 Rutgers Law Journal 237, Winter, 1998

“Kubis and the Changing Landscape of Forum Selection Clauses,” 16 Franchise Law Journal 97, Winter, 1997

The Best Lawyers of America© (2020 – 2023)

Selected to 2019 NJ Super Lawyers List for Business/Corporate, Franchise/Dealership, Mergers & Acquisitions

U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers: 2008 – 2023

International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers: 2004 – 2023

Selected as one of the top franchise lawyers in the United States by Franchise Times: 2008 – 2017

“AV®” preeminent peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell®


A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Education
  • George Washington University Law School (J.D., with honors 1977)

  • State University of New York (M.Ed. 1974)

  • American University (B.A. 1972)

Admissions
  • New Jersey (1979)
  • Pennsylvania (1979)
  • District of Columbia (1977)