Bryan P. Couch

An accomplished and knowledgeable litigator, Bryan focuses on complex commercial disputes, trademark litigation, product liability claims, business torts and other claims arising from a wide variety of business relationships, primarily in the franchise, manufacturing, distribution and hospitality sectors. 

Experienced in all aspects of litigation, Bryan provides exceptional counsel at trial, and in mediation and arbitration proceedings. He has appeared in the federal and state courts of New York and New Jersey and elsewhere throughout the United States. Bryan regularly handles cases across the country arising from franchise, license and management agreements, including trademark claims and the full gauntlet of relationship, competition and enforcement issues. He has represented national and international franchisors, several Fortune 100 corporations, and some of the largest hospitality companies in the world. Throughout his career, Bryan has also defended clients in a broad array of casualty claims, including premises liability, inadequate security, and product liability. He likewise has extensive experience defending against manufacturing, design defect, negligence, and breach of warranty claims for his manufacturer and product distribution clients.  

Bryan is a graduate of the prestigious International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy at Stanford University. He is also an active member of the International Franchise Association, the ABA Forum on Franchising, and the Defense Research Institute (DRI).  Bryan frequently lectures and writes on franchise, hospitality and other litigation-related topics.

Bryan holds multiple leadership positions at Connell Foley, including Managing Partner of the Newark office, Co-Chair of the Commercial Litigation Group, Chair of Franchise and Distribution Group, and member of the firm's Executive Committee.

Representative Experience
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Bryan regularly represents or has recently represented:

• A business process automation provider in a complex commercial dispute with a competitor and former employer and its employees
• Franchisors in disputes with their franchisees across the country relating to all issues arising from the termination of the franchise relationship
• Hotels and entertainment venues in negligent security and other premises claims, including multi-million dollar claims involving catastrophic injuries or death
• Manufacturers and retailers of paper shredders in product liability claims, many of which allege catastrophic injuries
• Manufacturers of tools, blades, grinding wheels and other component parts in product liability claims
• Construction project managers and general contractors in catastrophic injury claims at work sites
• A manufacturer of recreational vehicles in commercial disputes with dealers
• A brake manufacturer in a commercial dispute relating to an Asset Purchase Agreement
• A worldwide manufacturer of factory and logistics automation in a commercial dispute with a distributor
• An electric bicycle franchisor in a dispute with a franchisee
• A scrap metal company in a negligent cargo loading claim
• A non-profit charitable organization in a dispute relating to an Affiliation Agreement
• Hotel management companies in disputes with hotel owners relating to management agreements
• A large retailer in a trade dress dispute with a competitor
• A large hospitality franchisor in a multi-site dispute involving claims of wrongful termination
• A scrap metal company in a dispute with a distributor

Professional and Community Affiliations

• New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA)
  • Chair, Franchise Law Committee
• American Bar Association
• US Law Network, Inc.
  • Chair, Business Litigation and Class Actions Practice Group
• Defense Research Institute
• International Franchise Association
• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) - Trial

New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star (2015)

^{Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.}