Herbert A. Hedden
Mr. Hedden is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office. He practices in the area of commercial law with a strong emphasis on franchising and distribution law. He represents franchisors, subfranchisors and master franchisees in planning the structure of franchise relationships and the initiation of new franchise programs, as well as in the preparation of franchise agreements and franchise disclosure documents and in obtaining state franchise registrations nationwide. Mr. Hedden represents manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, dealers and sales representatives in licensing arrangements, distributorships, dealerships, sales representative relationships and a variety of other commercial relationships and transactions. He also represents franchisors, manufacturers and distributors in establishing franchise and other relationships with franchisees and other parties located in other countries. In addition, Mr. Hedden has broad experience in counseling business clients on warranty law issues.
Career highlights include:
- Representing a leading Central Ohio condominium developer in the development of the first ever program to franchise a condominium development business
- Representing a leading U.S. retailer in establishing franchise relationships with local franchisees in several foreign countries
- Representing a leading franchisor in the home services industry in the establishment of a national advertising program
- Representing a leading manufacturer of marine engines in structuring and documenting its distribution relationships with its brand-specific national networks of distributors and in management of warranty-related litigation filed in jurisdictions throughout the United States
- Representing a leading manufacturer of comfort footwear in structuring and documenting its international licensing relationships
Mr. Hedden is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association.
Mr. Hedden has spoken at the International Franchise Association’s Annual Legal Symposia on disclosure compliance programs as well as payment and non-payment in franchise relationships.
Mr. Hedden received his J.D. with honors from The George Washington University Law School, his M.P.P. from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and his B.S. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he was named to the Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Eta Sigma honorary societies.
Honors & Awards
- Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010
- The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Law, 1997-2012
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Franchise/Dealership, 2004-2005
- Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1999
News
- More than 100 Vorys Attorneys named on 2012 The Best Lawyers in America® List
- Vorys Ranked #1 Law Firm in Ohio on 2011 Best Lawyers in America® list
- Vorys ranked #1 law firm in Ohio on 2010 Best Lawyers in America® list
- Vorys Attorneys Named on 2009 Best Lawyers in America List
- Vorys named the "2008 Leading Ohio Law Firm" by Best Lawyers
Events
Publications
- Ohio Law Chapter of Covenants Against Competition in Franchise Agreements, 2003 (American Bar Association, 2d. ed)
- Franchise Law Chapters of Advising Small Businesses, 1998 to present