Jane Fergason

Partner

Jane Fergason focuses her corporate law practice on helping companies in the United States and abroad with comprehensive business needs, such as mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions of companies, franchises, direct sales, distribution, retail, sweepstakes, and advertising. She is a partner in the firm’s Distribution & Franchise and Direct Selling & Multi-Level Marketing Practices and a member of the Manufacturing Sector Group.

Jane regularly works with well-established global organizations and startups and is praised by clients for being a good listener and knowing how to make transactions successful. She has earned a national reputation for all issues involving direct sales.

Her client work frequently includes:

  • Negotiating and drafting acquisition, disposition, and merger agreements.
  • Structuring and documenting direct selling, franchise and distribution programs, including agreements and collateral documents.
  • Advising companies on structuring direct selling, franchise, and distribution relationships that comply with or avoid regulation under state or federal franchise disclosure, business opportunity, or other dealer laws.
  • Advising clients on special industry laws regarding the sale and distribution of motor vehicles, liquor, beer and wine, farm and heavy equipment, and motor fuels.
  • Preparing disclosure documents, and state registration of franchise offers and counseling on compliance with all elements of federal and state disclosure regulations and franchisee recruitment.
  • Structuring advertising and marketing programs and materials in compliance with federal and state laws.
  • Addressing franchisor/franchisee, independent contractor and supplier/distributor relationships and related issues.
  • Advising on sweepstakes advertising and promotions.
  • Drafting manufacturing and supply chain agreements.
  • Advising on tax issues related to direct selling.

Jane is a popular speaker and writer on direct sales issues and trends. She is also an active leader in the firm’s Dallas office, chairing Foley’s Women’s Council and co-chairing the Foley Alumni Relations Team.

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©
    • Corporate Law (2018 – 2024)
  • Recognized, Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)
    • Franchise Law
  • Recognized, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings

Affiliations

  • Member, State Bar of Texas
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association
  • Member, Lawyers Council and Governmental Relations Council, Direct Selling Association Lawyers Council (Washington, D.C.)
  • Co-Founder, Working Late

Community Involvement

  • Board member, Inspire Dallas!
  • Board member, MIN
  • Board member, The Crocker Foundation
  • Member, The Dallas Assembly
  • Graduate, Dallas Regional Chamber, Leadership Dallas
  • Graduate, Leadership Arts Institute, Business Council for the Arts
  • Speaker, Direct Selling Association, Legal and Regulatory (Seminar 2019, 2021, 2022)
  • Speaker, Direct Selling Association (Fall conference 2018)
17 August 2023 Honors and Awards

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced today that 236 of the firm’s attorneys across 20 U.S. offices have received recognition in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
18 August 2022 Press Releases

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced that 250 of our attorneys across 20 offices have received recognition in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
19 August 2021 Press Releases

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that 236 of the firm’s attorneys from 18 U.S. offices have been recognized in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, and 46 lawyers from 13 offices were included in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list. Additionally, 14 of the firm’s attorneys received the special designation of “Lawyer of the Year,” an honor earned by only one lawyer in each practice area and metropolitan region.
20 August 2020 Press Releases

Foley Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 List

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that 20 of its attorneys earned Best Lawyers 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” recognition in their respective practice areas. In addition, 243 of the firm’s attorneys from 18 offices have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2021. Another 51 of the firm’s attorneys from 14 offices have been named to the new category of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.
15 August 2019 Press Releases

Foley Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2020 List

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that 20 attorneys earned Best Lawyers 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” recognition in their respective practice areas, receiving the top nod from Best Lawyers. In addition, 233 of its attorneys from 18 offices have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2020.
23 May 2019 Events

28th Annual Law of Product Distribution & Franchise Seminar: Growing Lasting Business Relationships

For the past 27 years, Foley has offered more than 600 presentations to thousands of appreciative participants during its nationally attended Law of Product Distribution & Franchise Seminar, and the 28th annual seminar will continue that tradition this year.