Christian Thompson
MANAGING PARTNER
Mr. Christian Thompson a seasoned attorney and partner and shareholder with The Franchise & Business Law Group.
For over 15 years, Christian has built a distinguished reputation specializing in franchise law, business law, and contract law. He focuses on representing franchise systems and other entrepreneurs, aiding clients from startup concepts to established franchise systems.
As an active leader in the legal community, Christian has served as Chair of the Franchise Section of the Utah State Bar on numerous occasions. He is also a long-standing member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising.
Christian is a respected author and speaker within his field, with publications in the ABA Franchise Lawyer and the Utah Bar Journal, and frequent speaking engagements at Utah Bar CLE events . He is deeply committed to serving franchisors, advising on everything from franchise disclosure documents to contract drafting and agreement structuring.
Christian currently resides in Cottonwood Heights, Utah with his beautiful wife and four lovely children. He enjoys skiing in the winter and mountain biking and hiking in the summer with his family and friends, listening to audio books on history, cooking, and watching his garden grow!
Fun fact: Christian did a study abroad in Japan during high school through the Sony Student Project Abroad (SSPA) and rapped Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” during a celebration dinner in front of Sony’s CEO and executive team.
Education
Mr. Thompson received his Juris Doctor degree in 2009 from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. He was an editor and member of the Arizona State Law Journal. Prior to attending law school, he attended Utah State University and Snow College. Mr. Thompson played varsity football at both schools and served as the Student Body President of Snow College from 2002-2003.
Professional Leadership
Mr. Thompson is a member of the American Bar Association and the Utah State Bar. In 2012, Mr. Thompson served as the Chair of the Franchise Section of the Utah Bar, and since 2012, Mr. Thompson has served as a committee member of the Young Lawyers Division for the American Bar’s Forum on Franchising.
Publications and Speaking
- Co-Author, Scope and Coverage of the Franchise Rule, The FTC Franchise Rule Third Addition, American Bar Association (2019)
- Co-Author, Bonding: What It Is and How to Do It, The Franchise Lawyer (2017)
- C. Christian Thompson, Franchise and Business Law – Advising Clients on Their Trade Secrets, Utah Bar Journal, Volume 29, No. 3 (2016)
- Co-Presenter for the ABA Webinar, Hot Topics in the 2015 FDD Update and Renewal Season (March 2015).
- Co-Author, Alternatives to the Traditional Franchise Model: Yellow Brick Road or Perilous Path? The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 16, No. 2 at 6-8 (Spring 2013).
- Speaker and paper, Properly Drafting and Using Financial Performance Representations in Franchising, Utah State Bar, Franchise Law Section, Annual Update (June 2013)
- Speaker and paper, Fundamentals of Antitrust Law, Utah State Bar, Franchise Law Section, CLE Program (2012)
- Co-Presenter, Business Growth Strategies: A Practical Guide to Advising Clients, Utah Bar Spring Convention (2011)
Awards
- Best Lawyer in America – Lawyer of the Year in Franchise Law (2025) and (2023)
- Utah Business Legal Elite (2025)
Franchise Times Legal Eagle – Best in Class Lawyers (2014, 2015)
• Franchise Attorney Explorer’s Award, American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising (2011)
• CALI Award – Contracts, Arizona State, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (2006)
• Best Male Amateur Athlete, Utah Best of State Awards (2002)
