| Randolph, N.J. � Oct. 15, 2004 � Steven J. Belmonte,
founder, President and CEO of Hospitality Solutions LLC, a multi-faceted
consulting firm specializing in franchise agreement termination/liquidation
damage claim negotiations, franchise agreement negotiations, litigation
support, expert witness and mediation services, has hired lodging-industry
lawyer James C. Brashares as Hospitality Solutions newest Senior Associate.
Brashares� Reston, Va.-based law practice has specialized in providing legal services to all segments of the hospitality and travel industries since 1998. Previous to opening his practice, Brashares served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Red Roof Inns. He�s also served as partner in two law firms specializing in hospitality law: McGuire Woods LLP, McLean, Va., and Rice Carpenter and Carraway, Arlington, Va. Brashares began his hospitality-law career in 1973, serving in various senior legal positions over a nine-year tenure with Bethesda, Md.-based Marriott Corp. �I am excited by the prospect of working with Steve Belmonte and his excellent organization to provide assistance to hotel franchisees across the country in achieving harmony and fair dealing with franchisors,� Brashares said. �Steve is not only a proven leader in the hotel industry, he is also a peacemaker who can reach just resolutions in many franchise disputes that should never reach a courtroom. �Like Steve, I am dedicated to preserving good franchise relationships between business partners and avoiding legal action whenever possible,� Brashares added. �With his founding of Hospitality Solutions LLC, Steve has hit upon a very important service niche in the industry, and I�m proud to now be a part of his pioneering effort.� Belmonte said Brashare�s involvement with the franchise-negotiation arm of Hospitality Solutions LLC will benefit both clients and franchise companies alike. �In any franchise-negotiations process, whether it�s hammering out an equitable agreement on the front end or coming to a friendly, business-like solution to a franchisee/franchisor dispute on the back end, my goal is to negotiate and mediate until all parties come away from the table feeling satisfied,� Belmonte said. �The last thing any owner of franchisor wants is to have to spend untold amounts of hard-earned money on a law firm or spend weeks and even months in court to resolve a conflict. I�ve spent considerable time with Jim and know that he�s as dedicated as I am to bringing parties together and negotiating, as opposed to litigating, until everyone arrives at a mutually acceptable solution. �Jim�s vast experience, unmatched understanding of complex franchise agreements, and acknowledged negotiation skills will enhance Hospitality Solutions� growing reputation as a leader in hotel-franchise mediation,� Belmonte said. �I couldn�t be more pleased and proud to have Jim as a member of the Hospitality Solutions team.� Brashares holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from
the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctorate degree from George Washington
University.
, Hospitality Solutions LLC, Randolph, N.J., provides franchise agreement formulations and termination negotiation assistance, mediation, consulting, litigation support and expert witness services to the hospitality and service industries. Company President and CEO Steven Belmonte, former President and CEO of Ramada Hotels, also served as Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation, serves on the Board of Directors of Arlington Hospitality Inc., is a member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. Industry Relations Committee, and serves as a partner with Belmonte/Lasky Asset Management Inc. For more information, call (973) 598-0839, email [email protected] or visit www.stevenbelmonte.com. |