(Nashville, TN / December 15, 2015) The law firm of Baker Donelson has named Joel Buckberg as the first practice group leader of the Firm's newly formed Commercial Transactions and Business Counseling Practice Group.
"This group was formed to meet the needs of business clients and potential business clients for legal services in specialty practice areas, and to assist with counseling on their commercial activity. Our practice group serves clients in planning and pursuing their business interests in global trade and international business, gaming, hospitality, franchising, travel industry, aviation and medical office facility ownership and management, as well as serving as general counsel to businesses without in-house lawyers. I look forward to working with these highly regarded practitioners as they continue to successfully serve our clients," said Mr. Buckberg, who leads more than 90 attorneys across the Firm's 19 offices.
Mr. Buckberg is a shareholder in the Firm's Nashville office, where he counsels clients on business transactions and operations, particularly in hospitality, franchising and distribution, including strategic planning, development, disclosure, equity and debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, system policy and practice development, regulatory compliance and commercial contracts. Prior to joining Baker Donelson, he was executive vice president and deputy general counsel of Cendant Corporation.
Mr. Buckberg, who also serves as co-chair of the Firm's Franchise and Hospitality Industry Service Team, has been listed in Best Lawyers in America® in the area of franchise law since 2008 and was named the Best Lawyers' 2014 Nashville Franchise Law "Lawyer of the Year." He has been recognized by Franchise Times as a "Legal Eagle" for nine consecutive years and serves as a legal advisor and trainer for the International Franchise Association's Fran-Guard compliance and business culture training program. He served for four years as administrator for the International Franchise Association's Franchise Compliance Training Program and is currently a legal advisor and trainer for IFA's Fran-Guard compliance and business culture training program.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Law and the Owen Graduate School of Management, Mr. Buckberg is formerly a trustee of Congregation Micah, currently serves as a trustee of The Immune Deficiency Foundation and is a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.