MARK FERNANDEZ
Certified Franchise Executive
CEO, FranchisingWA
From Our CEO…
We are excited to announce that our 3rd Annual FranchisingWA Legal Symposium will be held on Thursday 16th October 2025 in sunny Perth, Western Australia.
Examine the nuances of the Legal Franchise Industry. This Symposium aims to enhance your knowledge and skills in your specialised field. Hear from local Industry Specialists as they share their expertise and experiences on a wide variety of topics including the PPSR, Accounting, Workplace Health and Safety, AI and ongoing disclosure obligations under the new Franchise Code set by the ACCC. Stay up-to-date and learn from our industry leaders as they give some practical guidance and discuss a few case studies.
We're diving deep into the next era of the journey for franchisees, franchisors, suppliers, and business owners as we look to not only educate, but to build better foundations for success.
Join us as we explore what’s happening and what the outlook may look like as we move towards understanding and assisting each other in the ever-evolving world of franchising.
Our outstanding program is designed to educate and facilitate networking opportunities with fellow members of the WA Franchising Community.
I look forward to catching up with you there!
Mark Fernandez
Certified Franchise Executive
CEO, FranchisingWA
Session Information
Attend and earn 5 CPD units in Substantive Law, Practice Management and Business Skills, and Professional Skills categories This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories, Franchisors, Franchisees, Legal Practitioners, Accountants, State Managers, Field Service Staff, BDM’s, Business Owners, Service Professionals, Area Developers, Employees, CEO’s, GM’s, and anyone interested in franchising.
Morning Sessions 10:00am - 1:00pm - 2 CPD Points |
| Speaker | Session Time | Session Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
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MC: Mark Fernandez |
|
10:00am |
Welcome Address
Session Time |
| Speaker | Session Time | Session Title | Points & Category of CPD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Chris Bishop Partner, Thomson Geer Lawyers
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10:00am - 11:00am |
The PPSR and its Effects on Franchising
Chris Bishop |
1 CPD point under the Substantive Law category.
Session Time |
DescriptionThis presentation falls under the Substantive Law category as it focuses on legal principles, statutory obligations, and case law relating to the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA) and its practical application within the franchising sector. The session delivers relevant and legally grounded content designed to assist practitioners in understanding how the PPSA affects franchising arrangements, asset protection, and legal risk. It is particularly pertinent to lawyers advising clients on franchise agreements, secured transactions, commercial leases, and insolvency matters. This session aims to enhance practitioners’ understanding of how to effectively structure and protect clients’ commercial interests through compliant use of the PPSR, particularly in franchise settings. It also provides guidance on how to identify risks, interpret key statutory provisions, and apply recent legal developments to everyday practice. This session aims to educate attendees on issues that arise from the operation of the Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA) in the context of franchising business and use case studies to guide participants to understand best practice.
Who Should Attend: |
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Afternoon Session
12:00pm - 5:30pm
3 CPD Points Includes
Networking Lunch,
Afternoon Tea &
Networking Drinks
$295.00 +GST
Register
| Speaker | Session Time | Session Title | Points & Category of CPD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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John Dorazio Director, SW Accountants & Advisors
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11:00am - 12:00pm |
‘Show me the Money’ ROI and the Franchisee
John Dorazio
Director, SW Accountants & Advisors |
1 CPD point under the Professional Skills category.
Session Time |
Description“‘Show me the Money’ – ROI and the Franchisee” falls within the Professional Skills category as it addresses key financial and strategic considerations involved in the operation and legal advisory of franchise systems. The session provides legal practitioners with insights into the practical and business realities of return on investment (ROI) within franchising—a critical issue for both franchisors and prospective franchisees. With the recent updates to the Franchising Code of Conduct requiring franchisors to provide franchisees with a reasonable opportunity to make a return on their investment, this session equips legal professionals with the knowledge to guide clients through disclosure, structuring, and compliance. This session enhances the business acumen of legal professionals advising in franchising, particularly in the areas of due diligence, risk disclosure, and franchise system structuring. Understanding ROI dynamics is also essential when advising on franchisee onboarding, financial risk, and regulatory compliance. This session aims to explore the reasonable opportunity for return on investment in accordance with the new Franchising Code of Conduct and the impact on franchise systems.
Who Should Attend: |
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Networking Lunch 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
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Afternoon Session 1:00pm - 5:30pm - 3 CPD Points |
| Speaker | Session Time | Session Title | Points & Category of CPD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Juan Perez Founder / Principal Lawyer, Quest Legal
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1:00pm - 2:00pm |
The Legal Implications of AI in Franchising
Juan Perez
/ Principal Lawyer, Quest Legal |
1 CPD point under the Substantive Law category.
Session Time |
Description“The Legal Implications of AI in Franchising”, clearly aligns with the Substantive Law category, as it examines emerging and increasingly critical areas of law that directly affect the rights, obligations, and legal risks faced by franchisors and franchisees engaging with AI technologies. The session delivers relevant, practical and legal content by addressing complex intersections between AI, intellectual property, and franchise law. Legal practitioners attending this session will gain a deeper understanding of the substantive legal principles and regulatory considerations impacting the use of AI in franchise businesses, particularly around copyright, ownership, liability, and compliance. The session is designed to assist practitioners in staying informed of developments in AI-related law and applying this knowledge when advising franchising clients. This content enhances their legal competency and preparedness in an area of law that is rapidly evolving and of increasing importance. In this presentation our presenter will be working through AI and its use in franchising including the legal risks and how to minimise these.
Who Should Attend: |
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| Speaker | Session Time | Session Title | Points & Category of CPD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Joe Lazzara Partner, Thomson Geer Lawyers
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2:00pm - 3:00pm |
Navigating the New Franchising Code: Key Impacts for Franchisors and Franchisees
Joe Lazzara
Partner, Thomson Geer Lawyers |
1 CPD point under the Substantive Law category.
Session Time |
Description“Navigating the New Franchising Code: Key Impacts for Franchisors and Franchisees” falls squarely within the Substantive Law category, as it addresses recent legislative amendments to the Franchising Code of Conduct and their legal implications for franchise systems operating in Australia. This session is highly relevant to legal practitioners advising franchisors and franchisees, as it provides a detailed examination of the legal framework underpinning franchising relationships. It explores how the new changes affect legal rights, obligations, compliance requirements, and enforcement mechanisms under the Code. This session provides legal practitioners with critical updates to ensure they are equipped to advise clients on the evolving franchising regulatory environment. The practical and legal guidance shared throughout the presentation helps minimise risk, supports compliance, and enhances legal services related to franchise law. This session aims to provide franchisors and franchisees with a clear understanding of the recent changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct, outlining their legal and operational impact. Attendees will gain practical insights into how to comply with new requirements, minimise risk and effectively manage franchise relationships in a changing regulatory landscape.
Who Should Attend: |
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Afternoon Tea 3:00pm - 3:15pm |
| Speaker | Session Time | Session Title | Points & Category of CPD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Carolyn Meighan Special Counsel, Bugden Allen Group Legal
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3:15pm - 4:15pm |
Work Health and Safety – A Franchising Perspective
Carolyn Meighan
Special Counsel, Bugden Allen Group Legal |
1 CPD point under the Practice Management and Business Skills category.
Session Time |
Description"Work Health and Safety – A Franchising Perspective" directly aligns with the Practice Management and Business Skills category, as it addresses a core component of managing legal risk and operational compliance within franchise businesses. This session provides legal practitioners—particularly those advising franchisees, franchisors, or businesses in regulated environments—with practical tools and knowledge to help their clients establish, maintain, and improve WHS compliance frameworks. The presentation will examine Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations through the lens of franchising arrangements, including how franchisors and franchisees can navigate overlapping duties, liability management, and workplace incident response. The session also explores recent legal developments and case studies to highlight practical challenges and emerging risks in the area. Understanding these issues is essential for legal practitioners advising on franchise agreements, due diligence, business structuring, and workplace compliance. It enhances their ability to provide sound legal and strategic advice, contributing to improved client outcomes and more effective practice management. This session aims to equip franchisors and franchisees with a clear understanding of their legal duties under Work Health and Safety laws, highlight common pitfalls in the franchise sector and provide practical strategies to ensure compliance, reduce risk and foster a culture of safety across the franchise network.
Who Should Attend: |
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| Speaker | Session Time | Session Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MC: Mark Fernandez |
|
4:15pm - 4:30pm |
Event Wrap Up |
Networking Drinks 4:30pm - 5.30pm |
Franchisingwa Franchise Legal Symposium Ticketing Pricing
All Sessions
$ 445 + GST
- 10:00am – 5:30pm
- 5 CPD points
- Networking lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Door prize
- Networking drinks
- Who should come: Franchisors, Franchisees, Legal Practitioners, Accountants, State Managers, Field Service Staff, BDM’s, Business Owners, Service Professionals, Area Developers, Employees, CEO’s, GM’s, anyone interested in franchising.
Morning Session
$ 225 + GST
- 10:00am – 1:00pm
- 2 CPD points
- Networking lunch
- Who should come: Franchisors, Franchisees, Legal Practitioners, Accountants, State Managers, Field Service Staff, BDM’s, Business Owners, Service Professionals, Area Developers, Employees, CEO’s, GM’s, anyone interested in franchising.
Afternoon Session
$ 295 + GST
- 12:00pm – 5:30pm
- 3 CPD points
- Networking lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Door prize
- Networking drinks
- Who should come: Franchisors, Franchisees, Legal Practitioners, Accountants, State Managers, Field Service Staff, BDM’s, Business Owners, Service Professionals, Area Developers, Employees, CEO’s, GM’s, anyone interested in franchising.
Street Address:
Kailis Bros Leederville
101 Oxford Street,
Leederville WA 6007
Phone: (+61) 8 9443 6300
Terms and Conditions
Full refunds are available 20 days prior to the event. A refund valued at 50% of the ticket price can be issued 10 days prior to the event. Any notice less than 10 days will result in no refund for cancellation.
FranchisingWA collects and stores your personal information for the purposes of providing event services, education and training programs, and marketing in various ways.
NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
When you enter a FranchisingWA event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by FranchisingWA and its affiliates and representatives.
Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar FranchisingWA events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of FranchisingWA. You release FranchisingWA, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by FranchisingWA or the person or entity designated to do so by FranchisingWA. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.
FranchisingWA is owned and operated by Business Development Alliance Pty. Ltd