Franchise Legal Pioneer Lew Rudnick Passes On

CHICAGO (Blue MauMau) - One of the modern pioneers of franchise law, Lewis Rudnick, passed away this weekend. He is known in the franchise industry as helping to shape not only franchise-related associations but also franchise law.

An old-time acquaintance, attorney Jack Dunham, states in an email, "Lew was one of the few, genuine giants of franchise law — literally in on the ground floor of this practice area as an organized discipline."

Rudnick was one of the founders of the IFA Educational Foundation and was special counsel for the IFA for many years.

He was a member of the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising since its establishment in 1977 until 1984 and was the second chair of the ABA Forum on Franchising Governing Committee, from 1980-1982.

Lewis was the principal author of the original Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) rules and guidelines. In 2008, the UFOC underwent a change in format and isnow called the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Rudnick co-authored Franchising: A Business and Compliance Guide, published by CCH.

Of Rudnick's many accomplishments, attorney Dunham adds, "His Chicago-based firm, Rudnick & Wolf,  became one of the key building blocks of what we now know as DLA Piper, which — thanks in no small part to many lawyers trained by Lew — now has the largest franchise practice in the world."

A friend of Rudnick's for over 30 years, Jerry Wilkerson, president of Franchise Recruiters Ltd., worked with Rudnick on almost a daily basis for a time. Wilkerson was the executive vice president of the IFA, now known as president. Lew was his outside senior counsel. Observes Wilkerson, "Lew Rudnick did not simply seek success.  He attained the highest level of life's work, that which lies in the esteem of those among him.  Yet, he had the common touch, and could listen to the wisdom of his heart, as well as the analysis of his head.  His passion for life made every detail important, and likewise, every person he met."

He adds this insight into Lewis Rudnick. "The eye of his soul was his love of people from all walks of life and business. If it is truly friendship that holds the world together, than Lew Rudnick was the bond.  For him, friends were the thermometers by which we judge the temperature of life's fortunes, and values."

Memorial services for Mr. Rudnick were held on Monday, January 26, at The Piser Chapel in Skokie, Illinois.