Gary R. Batenhorst

Gary R. Batenhorst is a franchise and business lawyer at Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather L.L.P. with extensive experience advising franchisors, franchisees, manufacturers, and privately held companies. He assists clients with franchise development, regulatory compliance, distribution systems, business acquisitions, divestitures, entity formation, lender relationships, real estate law, marketing, and contracts. He spent more than 17 years as in-house counsel for Godfather’s Pizza. He served as vice president, secretary, and general counsel from 1988 through 2001.

Gary earned his B.S.B.A., magna cum laude, from Creighton University in 1973. He received his J.D. from New York University in 1976. He is admitted to practice in Nebraska and California. He later served as an adjunct professor at Creighton University School of Law. He taught franchising from 1991 through 2004 and business planning from 2005 through 2021.

Gary represents established franchise systems and entrepreneurs developing new concepts. He advises franchisors and franchisees on disclosure requirements, relationship issues, system expansion, noncompetition provisions, and compliance programs. He guides manufacturers through distribution arrangements and helps companies address acquisitions, sales, financing relationships, property matters, and continuing operational needs. He has published and presented extensively on franchise agreements, customer loyalty programs, nontraditional venues, lending, taxation, marketing, and financial performance representations.

Gary R. Batenhorst has earned recognition for his franchise law work and professional leadership. He has appeared in The Best Lawyers in America for Franchise Law since 2007. He received its Omaha Lawyer of the Year honor in 2013, 2018, and 2021. He has appeared in Great Plains Super Lawyers from 2007 through 2026. He served on the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising Governing Committee and previously led the Franchise Law Journal as editor-in-chief.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather
• Member, Nebraska State Bar Association
• Member, The State Bar of California

Licensed State

• Nebraska
• California

Education

• New York University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Creighton University
  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)