Broadening the reach of its burgeoning fashion law practice, Fox Rothschild welcomes Leonard N. Budow as a partner in its New York office. Budow will serve as Co-chair of the firm’s Fashion Law Practice Group.
For more than three decades, Budow has served as a trusted adviser providing strategic legal and business counseling to a range of domestic and international business enterprises at various stages of growth, including some of the world’s most acclaimed fashion brands.
“Leonard has helped manage and expand the brands of numerous well-known and esteemed European and global fashion labels,” said Michael I. Slapo, managing partner of the firm’s New York office. “His business acumen and deep insight into the cultural issues that impact business transactions in the fashion industry, particularly in Europe, bring a new depth of experience both to our New York office and the firm’s growing fashion law practice.”
Budow, who routinely travels to Europe to maintain personal connections to his clients and the European fashion industry, provides strategic counsel on such issues as production, financing, distribution, brand registration and protection, licensing, franchising, retail store leasing and exit vehicles. Since the start of his legal career, he has worked with a renowned list of fashion clients on a broad array of endeavors, ranging from software and cosmetics to celebrity management and real estate. His first major European brand representation was a renowned shoe designer, and he currently advises designers and manufacturers who started in the industry working with this designer.
In the realm of corporate law, Budow possesses in-depth knowledge of the practical business matters that enterprises and entrepreneurs commonly face, including business formation issues, employment, intellectual property issues such as trademark prosecution and maintenance, commercial real estate, and the partial or entire sale of a business.
Budow often works closely with local counsel in Europe to ensure pertinent business and legal issues are properly translated and understood to minimize any potential cultural barriers. To best serve his European client base, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of European Union law and culture, allowing him to assist clients through the nuances associated with launching a business in the United States. Additionally, he has advised and represented his European clients on business transactions and launches outside of the United States.
Budow is an active participant in various events overseas and is frequently cited in publications abroad. He was noted in “Ouvrir un point de vente a New York,” which was published by the Mission Economique de New York, and has participated in a range of private seminars for launch companies in France.
Budow earned his J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1980 and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Yeshiva University in 1977. He is co-chair of the Committee on International Contract and Commercial Law of the New York State Bar Association.
