2425 N. Central Expy., Suite 200
Richardson, Texas 75080
T 972.931.0022
F 972.931.0124
www.mullinhouse.com

Firm Overview

We are a boutique law firm offering a comprehensive suite of commercial transaction and litigation services. With an emphasis on franchising and distribution, we provide innovative and affordable strategies to both established and entrepreneurial companies. We take pride in delivering sound legal advice, fortified by our own real-world business experience and our solid relationships with accounting, business and marketing professionals.

Cheryl Mullin

Cheryl Mullin founded the firm in 2003 to serve businesses needing competent legal services, predictable pricing, and a guiding hand in new business formation and growth options.

Drawing from more than a decade of experience, Cheryl helps clients evaluate their growth options and assists them in structuring and implementing franchise, licensing, and distribution programs, joint ventures, and supplier relationships.

As a litigator, Cheryl represents clients nationally in franchise and intellectual property disputes. She's an experienced attorney and established author who is admitted to practice law in Texas, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Cheryl received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Temple University in Philadelphia, and her juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware.

Cheryl is an active member of numerous organizations, including the International Franchise Association, Association for Corporate Growth, and the ABA Forum on Franchising. She’s also been recognized by Franchise Times Magazine as a “Top 100 Legal Eagle,” a “Hot Shot Under 40,” and one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine. She is a frequent speaker on franchise-related topics.

Dyan House

Talk to Dyan Houses about being a lawyer, and you'll learn about trademark law, protecting intellectual property, and more. But you'll also find that Dyan prides herself on applying law in a way that blends the practical with the theoretical. She understands trademarks, copyrights, and branding issues through her years of working at a creative marketing agency.

Since 2004, she has specialized in making sure companies and individuals have adequately protected their creative content, materials, and graphics. Dyan practices before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, successfully representing clients in prosecuting trademark applications and trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings. She also assists companies in developing new franchise programs, and routinely represents franchisors in matters concerning franchise regulation compliance issues.

Dyan frequently speaks to business organizations and associations about franchise regulations issues, franchise relationships, and trademarks. Dyan is admitted to practice in Texas.

Zachary Copp

Zac focuses his practices in the areas of real estate, construction, franchise, and commercial litigation. He represents buyers and sellers in transactions involving commercial real estate sales, and represents clients in the acquisition of commercial properties and negotiation of commercial leases. Zac also has significant experience in representing lenders in mortgage foreclosure proceedings and recovery of deficiency judgments. Zac is active in the Dallas Bar Association’s Franchise & Distribution Law Section. Zac is admitted to practice in Texas.

Stephanie Russ

Stephanie taps more than 15 years of corporate experience inside some of the nation’s largest and most successful franchisors, including Burger King Corp., KFC Corp. and TCBY Yogurt. Stephanie’s practice focuses on the special needs facing franchisors and franchisees, particularly those in the hospitality and food service industries. She concentrates her practice on employment law, commercial litigation, and dispute resolution for all types of businesses.

Stephanie is a qualified mediator in accordance with the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Act. She’s helped clients enforce franchise agreements and adhere to system standards compliance. She has successfully defended clients and negotiated favorable settlements in matters involving employment law with various state offices of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and with the Texas Workforce Commission. Stephanie is admitted to practice in Texas.

Rachel Berke

Rachel Berke served as in-house counsel for Blockbuster Inc. for several years before joining our franchise and distribution group. Rachel focuses her practice on franchising, corporate transactions and general business matters. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York and Texas.

Robert Royse

Rob has over 20 years of professional experience prosecuting and defending civil lawsuits in Texas state and federal courts involving serious personal injuries, wrongful death claims, significant property damages, motor vehicle collisions, premises liability accidents, construction defects, insurance coverage claims, employment disputes, breaches of contracts, products liability claims, deceptive trade practices, toxic torts and commercial litigation. He has been involved in numerous jury and non-jury trials and has participated in hundreds of oral depositions, court hearings and mediations. Rob is admitted to practice in Texas. In addition to being an advocate for a multitude of clients, Rob also maintains a mediation practice in the North Texas area.