Overview

Stan Eleff joined the firm in 1978 and is a Senior Member. He previously served as the firm’s General Counsel and as Chairman of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. His practice includes noncompete and restrictive covenants, franchising advice and litigation, construction disputes, unfair competition, franchising/distributorships/business opportunities, intellectual property advice and litigation, and arbitration and alternate dispute resolution.

Representative Matters

Stan has handled hundreds of matters involving breach of contract claims, including the enforcement and defense of non-compete covenants, disputes among closely held corporations, and multi-million-dollar commercial claims. He has also advised clients on franchising opportunities as both franchisors and franchisees, drafted and revised franchise documents, and litigated franchisor-franchisee disputes.

Representative Clients

  • CampusWorks
  • Thomas Sign
  • Chico’s
  • McDonald’s
  • International House of Pancakes (IHOP)
  • Melting Pot
  • KFC
  • Midas
  • Little Caesar’s
  • Subway
  • Quiznos
  • Badcock
  • Ponderosa
  • Ajax Rent-A-Car
  • Alpen Pantry
  • Dino’s Pizza
  • El Pollo Asado
  • Electrodry
  • Hillary’s Ice Cream
  • Jesto Transmissions
  • Moto Photo
  • Perkins Pancake House
  • Perky’s Pizza
  • Pizza Pronto
  • Ponderosa Restaurants
  • Wrangler Ranch
  • Practical Rent-A-Car
  • Western Sizzlin
  • Checkers

Honors and Distinctions

  • Tampa Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, 2019-2026
  • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Best Lawyers in America
    • Commercial Litigation, 2008-2026
    • Franchise Law, 2013-2026
    • Litigation – Construction, 2011-2026
    • Litigation – Labor & Employment, 2011-2026
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2007-2014, 2019-2023 (10+ year recognition)
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2006

Professional Involvement

  • American Bar Association
    • Forum on Franchising, 1984-present
  • The Florida Bar, Business Law Section
    • Franchising Committee, Founding Member
  • American Arbitration Association
    • Construction and Commercial Arbitration Panels, 1986-present
    • Construction Panel Advisory Committee, Tampa Bay region
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • C. H. Ferguson M. E. White American Inn of Court, 1997-present
    • Treasurer, 2009-present

Community Involvement

  • Harvard Club, West Coast of Florida, Schools, and Scholarship Committee
    • Chair, 2022
  • Harvard Law School Fund, Class Agent
  • Tampa Connection, 1986
  • Hebrew National Orphan Home/Hartman Homecrest Alumni Association
    • President, 2009-2015
  • Local Gymnastics Booster Organizations
    • Supporter and Past President

News

Thought Leadership

Stan has authored and lectured on numerous continuing education materials on enforcing and defending claims regarding covenants not to compete. He has also authored and lectured on arbitration procedures.

Get to Know