J. Mark Dady - Minneapolis, MN
Attorney at Dady & Gardner, P.A.
Franchising Lawyers in Minneapolis, MN
# 5100 IDS Center 80 South Eighth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402
- Free Consultation
Minneapolis Franchising Lawyer
Updated: 04/01/2026
Areas of Practice
- Franchising
Attorney Information
Overview
Mark is the Managing Partner of Dady & Gardner, P.A. and limits his practice to the representation of franchisees, dealers, and distributors.
Since joining Dady & Gardner nearly 20 years ago, Mark has represented clients in all stages of their relationships with their franchisors and suppliers. As a franchisee attorney, Mark regularly helps prospective franchisees review and negotiate the terms of their franchise agreements and area development agreements. Mark also regularly works with his clients to resolve disputes with their franchisors and suppliers, including disputes related to fraud and misrepresentation, unlawful financial performance representations, breaches of contract and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and wrongful termination/non-renewal, among others.
In addition to working with individuals and groups of franchisees, Mark spends a significant amount of his time advising new and existing franchisee associations. This includes assisting with the formation of franchisee associations, providing strategic guidance to franchisee associations, and performing regular reviews of key agreements, e.g., annual review/negotiation of proposed changes to the Franchise Disclosure Document, franchise agreement, and area development agreement.
Mark and his family reside in the St. Paul, Minnesota area.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Minnesota Rising Stars – Super Lawyers Magazine, 2012 – 2021
- Minnesota Super Lawyers – Super Lawyers Magazine, 2022 – 2023
- Franchise Attorneys and Lawyers – Best Lawyers in America, 2019 – 2024
- Top 150 Legal Eagles – Franchise Times, 2023
- “WWL: Franchising” by Who’s Who Legal, 2023
- “WWL Thought Leaders – USA” by Lexology, 2024
- “Legal Eagle” by the Franchise Times
Education
-
Legal Education
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William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 2008
Honors: magna cum laude
-
William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 2008
-
Non Legal Education
- University of Colorado
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Managing Partner
Classes and Seminars
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Speaker, "Marketing Funds and Local Marketing – Do’s and Don’ts to Promote System Harmony while Promoting the Brand", International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, May 2024
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Speaker, “Effective and Compliant Use of Brokers and Sales Agents,” American Bar Association 40th Annual Forum on Franchising, October 2017
- Speaker, “Disputes During the Three Phases of a Franchise Relationship,” American Bar Association Forum on Franchising Webinar, February 2014
Published Works
Articles
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Sole Discretion: So What? Good Faith Still Can Prevail, The Franchise Lawyer, Summer, 2016
-
I’m Going to Make Millions, But What If I Don’t?, Franchise Times’ SuperBook of Franchise Opportunities, Fall/Winter, 2011
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Contributing Author, Representing Franchisees, ABA Book Publishing (2023)
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 2008
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2008
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2014
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2015
Other Affiliations
- ABA Forum on Franchising, Chair - Solo and Small Firm Division, 2020 - Present
Contact
# 5100 IDS Center
80 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612-359-9000
Fax: (612) 359-3507
Email: Send a message
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