Ryan Palmer counsels emerging and established franchisors, licensors, distributors, sales representatives, and manufacturers in the sale and distribution of products and services.  He has structured and documented domestic and international franchise and distribution systems for companies in a variety of industries, including food and bar service, hospitality, entertainment, fitness, medical, law enforcement, and agriculture.  Ryan also advises clients in the selection, registration and enforcement of trademarks, copyrights, and domain names and manages and protects clients’ intellectual property portfolios. 

Ryan’s transactional experience includes representing companies in sale, purchase, and merger transactions and managing the franchising and business opportunity aspects of large merger and acquisition transactions.  He also represents lenders and borrowers in franchise, lease, construction, and senior and mezzanine debt financing transactions.

Ryan has been listed as a Rising Star in Mpls/St. Paul magazine every year since 2007.  Franchise Times magazine named him a Legal Eagle, one of franchising's top 125 attorneys, in 2010 and 2011.  He is admitted to practice in the state courts of Minnesota and is a member of the Minnesota and American Bar Associations.

Ryan graduated cum laude from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he was the founding editor-in-chief of the school’s law review. Ryan also studied international business and intellectual property law in London as part of the University of San Diego’s international and comparative law program.  He received a bachelor of arts magna cum laude from St. Olaf College.