Florida Business, Franchise & Employment Law Firm Since 1995

Lin Brinkley Esq.

- Founding Attorney

Lin Brinkley Esq. is the founding attorney of BizLaw Lawyers and a Florida-licensed business and franchise attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience. Admitted to The Florida Bar on May 13, 1988, he has spent his career representing business owners, emerging franchisors, and prospective franchisees in franchise disclosure, compliance, and transactional matters — including prior service as corporate counsel to an international company.

His franchise practice centers on Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) drafting, FDD review, FDD annual updates and amendments, franchise agreement drafting and negotiation, state franchise registration, and FTC Franchise Rule compliance. He advises franchisors on franchise system development and sales compliance, and represents franchise buyers in evaluating FDDs, franchise agreements, fees, territory rights, renewal and termination terms, and personal guarantee obligations before they sign.

Lin also handles franchise disputes, defaults, transfers, renewals, and terminations, along with the broader business and contract law issues that franchise clients face as they grow — including corporate formation, commercial contracts, employment compliance, federal trademark registration, and general counsel services. His approach is practical and business-focused, helping companies reduce risk while pursuing growth.

Franchise Law Experience

• FDD Drafting & Development — Franchise Disclosure Document preparation for emerging franchisors, including all 23 FDD items and state-specific addenda
• FDD Review for Franchisees — Franchise disclosure and franchise agreement review for prospective buyers, including red-flag identification and negotiation strategy
• FDD Annual Updates & Amendments — Ongoing FDD maintenance, material change amendments, and state registration renewals
• Franchise Agreement Drafting & Review — Preparation and negotiation of franchise agreements, including territory, fees, renewal, transfer, and termination terms
• State Franchise Registration — Multi-state franchise registration, filing, and renewal compliance
• FTC Franchise Rule Compliance — Federal disclosure requirements, franchise sales compliance, and advertising compliance
• Franchise Disputes & Transfers — Defaults, terminations, renewals, transfers, and dispute resolution
• Business & Contract Law — Corporate formation, commercial contracts, trademarks, and general counsel supporting franchise clients

Representative Matter Types

• FDD drafting and initial state registration for emerging franchisors
• FDD annual renewal and material change amendments for established franchise systems
• FDD and franchise agreement review for prospective franchisees
• Franchise agreement negotiation, including territory, fees, and termination terms
• Franchise compliance counsel under the FTC Franchise Rule and state franchise laws
• Franchise dispute resolution, including defaults, transfers, and post-term obligations

Education

• J.D., Stetson University College of Law
• B.A., Economics and Political Science, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Professional Memberships & Bar Admission

• Member, The Florida Bar (Bar No. 751900)
• Admitted: May 13, 1988
• Eligible to practice law in Florida; member in good standing
• County: Pinellas | Judicial Circuit: 06
• Member, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Bar Association
• Member, International Franchise Association

Franchise Legal Services

Thania Diaz Clevenger, Esq.

- Of Counsel

Thania Diaz Clevenger, Esq. supports BizLaw's Employment & HR Compliance practice and also provides counsel in trademarks, general counsel services, nonprofit law, and governance audits as Of Counsel. She brings over a decade of legal and executive leadership experience, blending her work as an attorney with extensive organizational and compliance experience.

Thania's background includes serving as Chief Operating Officer for a national nonprofit, where she managed governance, compliance, and strategic planning. She also spent more than a decade as an attorney and director with a statewide civil rights organization, focusing on employment discrimination, compliance, and governance matters.

Earlier in her career, she practiced with The Law Offices of Linster E. Brinkley, P.A., where she handled corporations, franchises, and trademarks — experience that laid the foundation for her return to BizLaw.

Her practice covers:

• Employment & HR Compliance (Employer-Side) – handbooks, HR policies, contractor agreements, compliance audits, workplace investigations, harassment claims
• Trademarks – federal trademark searches, applications, renewals, and enforcement
• General Counsel Services – outsourced, ongoing legal support for Florida businesses
• Nonprofit Law – formation, governance, compliance, and board training for nonprofit organizations
• Annual Compliance & Governance Audits – helping businesses stay aligned with state and federal

Community Involvement:

In addition to her legal practice, Thania serves on the School Board of Learning Gate Community School, reflecting her commitment to education and community service.

Education

• J.D., Stetson University College of Law
• B.A., Economics and Political Science, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Professional Memberships & Bar Admission

• Member, The Florida Bar (Bar No. 97301)
• Admitted: 07/25/2012
• Eligible to practice law in Florida; in good standing

Book a 30-Minute Call With Thania

Thania is currently handling consultations for general counsel services, trademark matters, business employment issues, and franchisee or franchisor representation while Lin is on leave.