As Co-Chair of the Global Franchise and Supply Network practice, Joyce Mazero represents national and global product and service-based companies leading them through major initiatives including structuring franchise and distribution networks, purchasing cooperatives and buying groups; negotiating strategic alliances, joint ventures, domestic and international licensing, franchising, manufacturing, retail and logistics deals; buying and selling franchise chains, food service providers and manufacturing plants, and litigating franchise, intellectual property and distribution disputes around the world.

Managing supply chain risk and leveraging supply chains to maximize competitive advantage and, increase cash flow opportunities; managing risk in domestic and international franchise systems to enhance market expansion opportunities and foster sustainable value relationships among franchisors, franchisees and suppliers, in her capacity are critical focal points of Joyce’s practice.

Joyce is a certified mediator for complex commercial disputes.

Chambers USA, the world's leading guide to the legal profession, has ranked Joyce “Top Ranked” in Band 1 for Franchising Nationwide for the past 18 consecutive years, since 2008. She is also highly ranked by Chambers Global. In interviews with clients during research for these rankings, Joyce was noted for her:

  • "very strong sense of what it takes to drive a business"
  • "well-rounded viewpoint on transactions"
  • "extraordinary [experience] on supply chains and how they relate to franchising"
  • "extraordinarily talented”
  • “a very good strategist”

She is the recipient of several leadership awards from the International Franchise Association, the Women’s Foodservice Forum and the Dallas Business Journal. A frequent national speaker and writer, Joyce recently co-authored Franchise Management for Dummies, a Dummies series publication released in April 2017, was an editorial legal advisor to Franchising for Dummies, was co-editor of the ABA Forum on Franchising’s Monograph on Financial Performance Representations, and is a Contributing Writer for American City Business Journals and Forbes.com.

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Education

  • St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D., 1979)
    • Texas State University (B.A., 1976)

      Bar Admission

      • Texas, 1983
      • Pennsylvania, 1979

      Court Admissions

      • State of Texas
      • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
      • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

      Professional Affiliations

      • Board Advisor, National Restaurant Association’s Supply Chain Expert Exchange
        • Former Board Member
        • International Franchise Association and its Educational Foundation
        • National Restaurant Association Foundation and Women’s Foodservice Forum
        • Promise House
        • Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance
      • Board Member, University of North Texas College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism
      • Founding Member and Chair Emeritus, Women Corporate Directors’ DFW Chapter
      • Member, National Association of Corporate Directors
      • Board Member, Magdalen House
      • Board Member, U&I Spread the Light
      • Board Advisor (emerging companies)

      Recognition

      • Selected for Inclusion in Lexology WWL Thought Leaders USA, 2024
      • Selected for Inclusion in Who’s Who Legal for Highest Ranked Lawyers: Franchise 2003-2024
      • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Top Ranked, Franchising USA – Band 1, Nationwide, 2006-2025
      • Chambers Global: Outstanding Lawyers Globally, Top Ranked, Franchising, Band 2, Global, 2006­-2026
      • Honored as One of the 100 Influential Women in Franchising, Global Franchising 2020-2021
      • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for:
        • Franchise Law, 1995-2026; Best Lawyer, 2014
        • Recognized, Women in the Law, Best Lawyers Franchise Law, 2016
      • “Legal Eagle” (Top 125 Franchise Lawyers), Franchise Times, 2004-2021; 2023, 2024-2026
        • Inducted into Inaugural Legal Eagles Hall of Fame, Franchise Times, 2013
      • U.S. News & World Report, Nation Tier 2, Best Law Firms for Franchise Law, 2020
      • Selected for inclusion in D Magazine's "Best Lawyers in Dallas," 2001-2005; 2007; ­2009; 2011-2018; 2020-2024
      • Honoree, Women in Business, Dallas Business Journal, 2015
      • The Legal 500: Recognized for Industry Focus M&A/Corporate and Commercial M&A:
        • Middle Market (sub-$500m), 2015
      • Selected for inclusion in Best Women Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2010
      • Leadership Award, Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), 2010
      • Best Business Lawyers in Dallas: Franchise and Development, D Magazine, 2009
      • Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2003-2019
      • Program Chair, International Franchise Association – Annual Legal Symposium, 2013-2014
      • “Lawyer of the Year: Franchise Law,” Corporate LiveWire, 2014
      • 20 to Watch, Franchise Times, 2007
      • Bonnie Levine Leadership Award, International Franchise Association, 2005
      • International Franchise Association WFC Crystal Compass Award, 2004
      • Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell