ABA Antitrust, Franchise Groups Announce New Officers

This posting was written by John W. Arden.

The American Bar Association has announced new officers for its Section of Antitrust Law and Forum on Franchising.

On August 10, Allan Van Fleet, a shareholder of Greenberg Traurig LLP, started a one-year term as chair of the ABA Section of Antitrust Law. Head of the firm’s litigation practice group in Houston, Van Fleet is also a member of Greenberg Traurig’s global antitrust litigation and competition law practice group.

In the official announcement, he pledged to maintain the quality of the section’s programming, publications, and public comments on competition and consumer protection topics.

Van Fleet has served in numerous leadership roles in the Section of Antitrust Law, including vice chair, committee officer responsible for oversight of 27 substantive committees, delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, and chair of committees on legal ethics and professional responsibility, business torts and unfair competition, and continuing legal education.

A graduate of Rice University and Columbia University School of Law, he has been active in the State Bar of Texas, as former director and current member of a committee to revise the state rules of professional conduct for lawyers.

On August 1, several officers of the ABA Forum on Franchising began new terms. Michael Joblove and Leslie Curran became members of the Forum’s Governing Committee, while Joseph Fittante began his second term on the Committee.

Forum Chair Ron Gardner of Dady & Gardner appointed two Governing Committee members to new officer positions. Ms. Curran will serve as Diversity Officer and Kathy Kotel will be Membership Officer.

The new Governing Committee members will serve with the current officers: Kerry Bundy (Marketing Officer), Harris Chernow (Finance Officer), Deb Coldwell (Publications Officer), Mr. Fittante (Program Officer), Karen Satterlee (Women’s Caucus Liaison), and Leslie Smith (Technology Officer).

John Pratt is the new chair of the International Franchise and Distribution Division. Kerry Olson is another new member of the Divison. Lee Plave will serve a second term. Brian Balconi will serve as chair of the Corporate Counsel Division. Heather Bias has joined the Division and Andra Terrell will serve a second term. Roland Baggett III is a new member of the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Division.

Max Schott is the new editor in chief of the Franchise Lawyer newsletter. Beatta Krakus has joined the editorial board.