What is included in the definition of 'attorneys' fees' regarding the Hydrodog Assignment?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The term "attorneys' fees" means any and all charges levied by an attorney for his or her services including time charges and other reasonable fees including paralegal fees and legal assistant fees and includes fees earned in settlement, at trial, appeal or in bankruptcy proceedings and/or in arbitration proceedings.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the term 'attorneys' fees' in relation to any action or dispute arising from the Assignment includes all charges levied by an attorney for their services. This encompasses time charges and other reasonable fees, specifically including paralegal and legal assistant fees.
This definition extends to fees earned during various stages of legal proceedings, such as settlements, trials, appeals, bankruptcy proceedings, and arbitration proceedings. This means that if a dispute arises concerning the Assignment, the prevailing party can recover all legal costs incurred throughout the entire legal process, from initial negotiations to final resolution.
For a prospective Hydrodog franchisee, this clause provides a degree of financial protection in the event of legal disputes related to the Assignment. If the franchisee prevails in such a dispute, they are entitled to reimbursement for a broad range of legal expenses, potentially mitigating the financial burden of litigation or arbitration. However, it also means that if the franchisee loses a dispute, they will be responsible for covering not only their own legal fees but also those of the opposing party.