Thomas Pitegoff

Principal

Featured Works

Publications

Additional Publications

  • "How New York Can Be a Center for International Franchising," Author, New York Business Law Journal, Vol. 24 Issue 1, New York State Bar Association, Summer 2020
  • "Exemptions and Exclusions Under Federal and State Franchise Registration and Disclosure Laws," Co-Author, New York Law Chapter, American Bar Association, Mar. 2017
  • “Structuring a Multi-Unit Franchise," Author, Modern Restaurant Management, Jul. 2017
  • “When Are Parent Company Financial Disclosures Required?" Author, Modern Restaurant Management, Jun. 2017
  • "Testing a New Franchise Concept," Author, The Licensing Journal - Wolters Kluwer and Modern Restaurant Management, Vol. 37, Issue 4, Apr. 2017
  • “Ins and Outs of Suspending Franchise Sales," Author, Modern Restaurant Management, September 2016
  • “Will Recent Changes in California’s Franchise Law Blaze a Path for Other States?” Author, Modern Restaurant Management, Feb. 2016
  • “California Toughens Its Franchise Relationship Law," Author, The Licensing Journal - Wolters Kluwer, Feb. 2016 and Core Compass, Nov. 2015
  • “State Regulation of Business Opportunities," Author, Core Compass, Jan. 2016
  • “Is Qualification Necessary to Franchise Across State Lines?" Co-Author, The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 18 Issue 2, American Bar Association, 2015
  • “Albany Bill Would Scare Off New Biz," Author, Crain’s New York Business, May 2015
  • “An Undesirable Consequence," Author, QSR, Nov. 2014
  • “To Franchise or Not to Franchise," Author, The Franchise Handbook, Summer 2014
  • “Momentum Builds for New York to Revamp Its Franchise Law," Author, The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 17 Issue 1, American Bar Association, 2014
  • “Expanding Smart: Is Franchising Right for Your Restaurant Concept?” Author, Food & Drink Magazine, Spring 2014
  • "Fashion Law: A Guide for Designers, Fashion Executives and Attorneys," Author, Chapter: Starting the Business and Launching the Line, Fairchild Books, 2010
  • "Fundamentals of Franchising," Co-Author, 3rd Edition, Chapter on Franchise Relationship Law, American Bar Association; based on the article by Tom Pitegoff entitled “Franchise Relationship Laws: A Minefield for Franchisors," Vol. 45 Issue 289 Business Law, 1989
  • “Franchising in New York After the Revised FTC Rule," Author, New York Business Law Journal, Vol. 11 Issue 2, New York State Bar Association, Fall 2007
  • "International Franchising," Author, Franchise, Distribution and Licensing Law Presentation for New York State Bar Association, Jun. 2002
  • "Drafting Effective Franchise Agreements," Co-Author, Essentials of Franchising, Jul. 2000
  • "Choice of Law in Franchise Relationships: Staying Within Bounds," Author, Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 4, Spring 1995
  • "Ways to Avoid Being a Franchise," Author, Franchise Law Journal, Vol. 12 Issue 2, Fall 1992

Speaking Engagements

  • Tom frequently speaks on franchise law subjects and other legal topics.
  • Biography
  • Publications & News
  • Featured Works
  • Franchise Alchemy

Firm Highlights

  • Publications & News
    Caroline Callahan to Receive Oligo Nation Inspiration Honor Award
    Caroline Callahan to Receive Oligo Nation Inspiration Honor Award
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Attorneys Recognized in 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars Lists
    Offit Kurman Attorneys Recognized in 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars Lists
  • Events
    Navigating D.C.'s Changing Housing Landscape - Utility Billing, Pets in Housing and Year-End Legislative Updates
    Navigating D.C.'s Changing Housing Landscape - Utility Billing, Pets in Housing and Year-End Legislative Updates
  • Blog Posts
    The Risks of Using AI to Draft a Marital Settlement Agreement
    The Risks of Using AI to Draft a Marital Settlement Agreement
  • Blog Posts
    Could Employers Soon Have More Flexibility in Severance Agreements?
    Could Employers Soon Have More Flexibility in Severance Agreements?
  • Blog Posts
    Behind the Headlines: What Family Lawyers Need to Know About Representing High-Profile Clients
    Behind the Headlines: What Family Lawyers Need to Know About Representing High-Profile Clients
  • Publications & News
    Thomas Pitegoff Recognized in the 2026 Lexology Index for Franchising Law
    Thomas Pitegoff Recognized in the 2026 Lexology Index for Franchising Law
  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.
  • Events
    The 2026 Economic, Tax, and Accounting Updates
    We are looking forward to the Mid-Atlantic CFO Roundtable's next event on November 13, 2026. This is a program with topics built for Finance Executives. We are extremely fortunate to have three excellent speakers: Dr. Daraius Irani, Vice President of Business and Public Engagement at Towson University; Mike Stankus, Tax Office Managing Principal at BDO; and Daniel Wahlberg, Managing Partner of Acclare Solutions. The economy is rapidly changing with various factors driving it. The November 3rd midterm elections may also have an impact. Our three expert presenters will discuss the ramifications of the election, and the current year updates to GAAP financial reporting and Federal and State income taxes. Please join us for what will surely be an informative and timely discussion. Meet Our Speakers: Daraius Irani, Ph.D. • Towson University Vice President, Business & Public Engagement Dr. Daraius Irani serves as Vice President of Business and Public Engagement at Towson University as well as the chief economist for the Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) at Towson University, a policy group providing economic, fiscal impact, and policy analysis to public and private entities.  Dr. Irani is often called upon to provide economic presentations to organizations across Maryland. He has appeared on numerous television programs and in local and regional print media. Dr. Irani holds a Ph.D. in economics from University of California, Santa Barbara. Dan Wahlberg • Acclare Solutions Managing Partner With over 28 years of experience, Dan Wahlberg is a recognized leader in audit and assurance for the Mid-Atlantic’s middle market business community. As a licensed CPA in Maryland and Virginia, Dan has led assurance practices at top regional firms, including serving as Baltimore Audit Managing Partner and Assurance Practice Leader at BDO USA in Baltimore and as Partner and member of the Management Committee at Hertzbach & Company P.A which merged into BDO in 2020. His expertise centers on delivering clarity, strategic guidance, and proactive solutions to middle-market businesses across Baltimore and beyond. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to begin a new CPA firm this year with four other CPAs serving the business community. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University and began his career at PWC in New York. He is also deeply engaged in the community, previously serving as President of ACG Maryland and current Board member and as Audit Committee Member for The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.  Mike Stankus • BDO USA LLP Tax Office Managing Principal Mike Stankus is the Tax Office Managing Principal for the firm’s Baltimore office. He has more than 16 years of experience providing tax planning and preparation and management advisory services for his clients. Mike focuses on advising privately held businesses and their owners on effective growth and tax strategies. He also performs various engagements for mergers and acquisitions and complex cost accounting projects and projections. In addition, he represents various government contracting clients before the DCAA and assists with FAR compliance. Mike’s areas of concentration include working with government contractors, professional service firms, construction companies, and homebuilders.
  • Blog Posts
    When the Middleman Disappears: Synapse and the Litigation Risk Hiding in Banking-as-a-Service
    When the Middleman Disappears: Synapse and the Litigation Risk Hiding in Banking-as-a-Service