Ashley Nielsen focuses her practice on franchising, general corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and leasing.
As a member of the largest franchise practice in North Carolina, she regularly counsels start-up and early-stage franchisors in building their brands and navigating complex state and federal franchise regulations. She also serves as general corporate counsel to these and other retail and restaurant clients and assists with transactions that range from routine to complex. Ashley has extensive experience preparing franchise disclosure documents (“FDDs”), which benefits not only the franchisors who seek her strategic advice, but also the franchisees who hire her to evaluate FDDs and negotiate franchise agreements and leases. Ashley speaks to franchisors and teaches other attorneys about franchising and related topics. She is one of the few attorneys in North Carolina to receive her Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives and serves as the current chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Business Law Section’s Franchise Committee. She has been recognized by Superlawyers for her expertise in franchise and dealership law.