Brendan T. Franzoni is a partner in the Firm’s Litigation practice, and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Regulatory & Compliance practice group. Brendan's practice focuses primarily on regulatory and complex litigation matters. In the regulatory context, Brendan provides experience and expertise advising national and international products manufacturers and commercial retailers on foreign, federal, state, and NGO regulatory schemes and compliance governing a variety of consumer products, including alcohol and beverages, e-vapor products, cigars, cannabis and CBD. Brendan’s litigation practice concentrates on complex matters stemming from commercial disputes, product liability and toxic torts litigation. Brendan has represented major U.S. and foreign products manufacturers in multi-defendant and multi-plaintiff litigation in state and federal court. Brendan has experience in all aspects of litigation, including fact and expert development, expert witness preparation, discovery, motion practice and trial. Brendan maintains a committed pro bono practice and has represented individuals in Veterans Affairs, child custody and family law matters.
Professional Activities
Florida Bar Association
American Bar Association
Hillsborough County Bar Association
The U.S. Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Missouri Bar Association
Previous Experience
Prior to attending law school and joining Hughes Hubbard, Brendan served in the United States Marine Corps with the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service in the Middle East and Europe. In that capacity, Brendan was assigned to personal protective details for executive branch personnel, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell, as well as U.S. ambassadors to Bahrain, Belgium, NATO and the European Union. Continuing his service after the Marines, Brendan accepted a Truman Fellowship with United States Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island in Washington, DC, where he worked to develop legislative initiatives in areas of national security, nuclear non-proliferation, U.S. military benefits, and to protect foreign democratic initiatives and elections.
Additional Education Information
International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court
President, Military Law Students Association
Attorney general staff, University of Florida
Truman fellow, United States Senate, Washington, DC, 2005
Truman scholar, 2004
Boren scholar, National Security Council, Russia
Steven Wood Political Theory Award
Treasurer, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Florida State Courts
Missouri State Courts
Highlighted Matters
Advised special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Isos Acquisition Corp. on alcohol regulatory and compliance matters in its $2.6B merger with Bowlero Corp. to take the world’s largest owner and operator of bowling centers public.
Counseled leading US medical cannabis manufacturer on state regulatory and compliance matters and internal standard operating procedures regarding manufacturing quality control and product integrity.
Counseled client in complex FDA and state-specific regulatory issues governing e-vapor and other tobacco products.
Represented client in high profile Congressional inquiry, and in related matters with various federal agencies.
Counseled client in the development and drafting of extensive FDA premarket product applications and FTC reports.
Counseled client in global health and regulatory schemes in coordination with World Health Organization's missions across various consumer products.
Multiple summary judgments in favor of two major ERISA plan insurers in individual cases brought by employees and former employees of the insureds.
Representation of major U.S. product manufacturers against claims of negligence, failure to warn, fraud, and conspiracy in federal and state courts.
Counsel and assist international products manufacturers in complying with federal and state product standards, marketing and sales regulations, and product safety and stewardship.
