STEVEN A. CHASE1300 N. Custer Road, Apt. #8304, Allen, TX 75013

Cell phone: (817) 676-3784; email: schase_law@yahoo.com______________________________________________________________________________

DESIRED POSITION: In-House Corporate, Franchise &Transaction Counsel/Attorney

SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Franchise Law (Since 1992, All Aspects) Contracts (Review, Drafting, Negotiations and Management, Including Vendor and Service Agreements) Intellectual Property Protection (Including Trademark and Copyright Filings, Licensing, and Enforcement) Commercial Real Estate Leases Entity Formations and Maintenance, Corporate Governance, Minutes and Bylaws Sale of Business (Stock and Asset) Civil Litigation/Litigation Management (Including Product Liability, Premises Liability, and e-Discovery) Risk Assessment and Proactive Management

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Multiple Contract Assignments for Each of Several Legal Recruitment Firms E-discovery Document Review Attorney May 2008 - Nov. 2011; June 21, 2012 – February 2014; and June 2014 - presentDallas, Richardson and Addison, TX

Since 2008, over 50 assignments as a contract attorney for these Dallas area legal recruitment firms: Legal Network, Inc.; Hudson Highland Group, Inc. ("Hudson Legal"); Robert Half International ("Robert Half Legal"); Special Counsel, Inc.; Epiq Systems, Inc.; Beacon Hill Staffing Group; Newhouse+Noblin Legal Search Consultants; Altegrity, Inc. (“Kroll Ontrack”); SK Legal/Superior Review, L.L.C; Adams & Martin Group; and Haven Interim Counsel, LLC.

TONI&GUY, U.S.A., Inc. March 2014-June 2014Temporary In-House Corporate/Franchise Counsel (through Legal Network, Inc.)Carrollton, TX

Collaborated closely with the company’s leadership team, including its general counsel, President and CEO, to develop and implement new franchise initiatives. Significantly revised franchise disclosure documents and franchise agreements. Drafted a variety of corporate and franchise documents as the need arose, such as for transfers of ownership interests, amendments to franchise agreements, a management services agreement, model releases, and a website maintenance agreement. Reviewed proposed franchise advertising materials, some for filings with state regulators. Contributed to the development of TONI&GUY’s proactive strategy to build and protect its valuable Salon and Hairdressing Academy brands.

Blockbuster L.L.C. Dec. 2011-June 20, 2012 (employer relocated to Colorado)Senior Franchise Paralegal/Franchise Attorney McKinney, TX

Employer was a new franchisor who acquired hundreds of domestic and international franchise, as well as master franchising agreements through a former franchisor’s bankruptcy. To comply with FTC and numerous state regulatory agencies, prepared the initial FDD and all other related franchise disclosure documents, including a new Blockbuster Franchise Agreement and a new Development Agreement. Solely responsible for drafting all domestic and international franchisee default notices. As only experienced franchise counsel in company, provided franchise related legal advice to General Counsel and to the Senior Director of Global Franchise Operations. Duties further included serving as the legal point person responsible for international franchise matters in Australia, Colombia and Panama.

Accor North America, Inc. Sept. 2007- Jan. ‘08Corporate Counsel (Assigned to Franchise Development Dept.) Carrollton, TX

Drafted service agreements and other contracts for corporate owned/operated hotels/motels, such as Motel 6, Studio 6, and Sofitel

Assisted in preparation of updated U.S. domestic and Canadian franchise disclosure documents Drafted important and complex transactional documents regarding development and licensing of Novatel Hotel

brand in Canada Advised Franchise Development Department on franchisee legal matters, then drafted, or reviewed and edited,

correspondence to franchisees regarding amendments, extensions, defaults and terminations

CiCi Enterprises, L.P. Sept. 2004-Feb. ‘07Franchise Compliance Officer (In-House Counsel) Coppell, TX

Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated a wide range of simple to complex contracts for every Dept., such as service and vendor agreements, beta test agreements, non-disclosure and non-competition agreements, advertising/promotion agreements, real estate transactions, indemnification agreements and settlement agreements

Reviewed and pre-approved advertising/marketing materials for regulatory compliance and brand protection Protected CiCi’s intellectual property (trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, copyrights, and trade dress) both

domestically and internationally Drafted internal guidelines, policies and procedures for Marketing, Franchise Development, Training, Operations

and Real Estate departments. Worked closely with V.P. of Accounting to maximize flow of accounts receivables. Prepared annual FTC regulated Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (now known as an “FDD”) Managed company’s litigation by working closely with outside counsel on strategy, pleadings, motions and

discovery requests/responses; responsible for holding down litigation costs. Litigation included such matters as products liability claims, personal injury/negligence/premises liability, breach of contract, prosecution of I.P. infringements, as well as business tort disputes.

Handled all negotiations with various state regulatory/administrative agencies to avoid or resolve citation disputes. Met weekly as member of senior management team (consisting of President, CFO and the Sr. Manager for each

Dept.). Presented legal opinions and recommend proactive legal steps.

LEGAL EDUCATION:

Lewis & Clark College, Northwestern School of Law Portland, OR Juris Doctorate, 1989

Law Review Staff for Environmental Law – 1986; Elected Business Editor by peers 1987-88 Honors in Legal Writing, Research and Reasoning American Jurisprudence Awards for Excellence in Contracts and Torts Moot Court: Client Counseling Competition: 2nd Place, fall, 1988 A+ on Juris Doctor Writing Requirement (later published at 18 North Carolina Central Law Journal 163-85 [1989]

as full article)

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

Oregon Bar Association, state of Oregon. License issued in Sept. 1989 is active and in good standing. United States District Court, District of Oregon. Certification granted in 1990 is active and in good standing.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Served as court appointed arbitrator for seven Oregon Circuit Courts Member of Gus J. Solomon Chapter, American Inns of Court, Portland, OR (1988-’03) Member Oregon State Bar, CLE Committee (2003-’05) Member of American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Forum on Franchising, and Corporate Counsel

Committee (2009-‘11). Taught “Civil Litigation” and “Wills and Estates” to Paralegal Students at Portland College of Legal Arts

EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Served seven years on Board of Trustees for Western Seminary, Portland, OR (including as member of the Executive Committee, the Business & Finance Committee, and as Board Secretary); served three years on Board of Directors for Portland Musical Theatre Company; served two years on Site Counsel for Brown Middle School, Hillsboro, OR.

Also served as volunteer in many other capacities, including as Art Literacy Instructor for local elementary schools in Beaverton and Aloha, OR (four years); YMCA Youth Basketball Coach (two seasons); Athletics Coach for Oregon Special Olympics; Judge for Oregon H.S. Mock Trial Competition (several years); as a big brother with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Tarrant County, TX. (2006 – May 2014); and for hunger related causes at Metrocrest and Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, in TX (2010 – present).