Josh Brown

Josh Brown is a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and chairs the firm’s Franchise and Distribution practice group. He has been serving small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the franchise community since 2006, building a thriving national practice from his base in Indiana.

Josh represents multi-unit franchisees, startup and emerging growth franchisors, and established franchise brands across the full lifecycle of their business needs. His practice encompasses transactional counseling, franchise disclosure document preparation and state registrations, mergers and acquisitions, and complex franchise litigation and dispute resolution. Whether guiding a first-time franchisor through regulatory compliance, advising a multi-unit operator on expansion or exit strategies, or litigating high-stakes franchise disputes, Josh brings a practical, business-minded approach rooted in his own experience working in business management, sales, marketing, and operations for several businesses, including two franchise systems.

Josh’s litigation and enforcement work includes representing franchisees before state regulatory bodies. He represented Indiana franchisees in filing a complaint with the Indiana Securities Division that led to a 132-page Order from the Indiana Securities Commissioner barring the franchisor from operating in Indiana, ordering rescission of franchise agreements, and requiring disgorgement of profits paid back to franchisees. He has also handled franchise disputes in federal and state courts across multiple jurisdictions.

As a certified franchise mediator, Josh provides specialized dispute resolution services, facilitating resolutions between franchisors and franchisees outside of costly litigation.

In between periods of private practice, Josh served as a law clerk for the Honorable Nancy H. Vaidik of the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Josh is the creator and host of Franchise Euphoria, a top-rated podcast, and a frequent author and presenter on topics related to franchising. His thought leadership includes publishing articles through the Indy Franchise Law Blog and contributing to national franchise publications such as Forbes Magazine.

• Indy Franchise Law Blog (published articles)
• Franchise Euphoria Podcast (podcast episodes on franchising)
• “12 Things to Do Before You Buy a Franchise,” Forbes Magazine