Schuyler "Rocky" Reidel

    I am Schuyler ‘Rocky’ Reidel, the managing attorney and founder of Reidel Law Firm. I started in franchising in 2014 when I opened up my law practice. I added international trade to the practice in 2016 when I became a licensed customs broker. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with many owners and businesses across the country and the world in expanding their brands.

    While my firm is based in Galveston, Texas – where I grew up, I am often found around the world traveling for business events and assisting clients around the world. If I am not in Texas I am most likely to be found in Panama, United Arab Emirates, or Zambia. But don’t worry, we still have US business hours and we’ll find a way to work with you anytime. And if you ever want to visit any of those places, drop me a line, would love to show you around or connect you with my friends and colleagues there.

    Here’s a bit about what I do best:

  • Franchise Reviews – I help franchisees review and understand their terms, obligations, and expectations when joining a franchise system. We prepare a summary review letter in plain english with our comments on what we like or don’t like about a system and the key legal terms for our franchisee clients to digest. Then in a conference call we address each of the client’s questions and concerns and counsel through ways to mitigate their concerns and potential risks. Here is a video walking through our entire franchisee review process which you will probably find helpful: Our Franchisee Review Process
  • Franchise Formations – I work with franchisors in developing and expanding their concept and system. Mostly we have worked with smaller international and startup franchisors here in the US and have had a lot of fun helping brands find their way with franchise regulations. We handle the FDD drafting, annual renewals, and general franchise counsel for our franchisor clients. Here is a short video about our franchisor process: Our Franchisor Process
  • International Transactions – I am a licensed customs broker and sanctions specialist and help clients within import, export, and other international compliance matters. It is an exciting and dynamic area of law that always offers a challenge, what I like.
  • Critiquing Ballpark Hotdogs – My secret superpower, ballpark hot dog critic. Something my family can attest to me doing since attending my first ball games in the Astrodome, ha. I had many $1 DomeDogs in my day. Some of the best ballpark hotdogs I’ve had include: Oriole Park, Traveler’s Field, and Coor’s Field (must be the altitude). Invite me to your ballpark if you think your ballpark dogs deserve a top spot!

To offer some balance, here are some things that I don’t do:

  • Litigate – I learned early in my career that the courtroom was not the place for me. For some reason, judges have really disliked me…
  • Anything Outside Franchising or International Trade – I stay in my lane and expertise by only handling matters within franchising and international trade. If you need something else, happy to chat and point you in the right direction.
  • Eat Seafood More than 100 Miles from the Ocean – There’s a story behind that one but it’s not particularly flattering. My PSA for others to avoid seafood more than 100 miles away from the ocean.

    Here are some nice things clients and colleagues have said about me:

  • “Schuyler provided prompt service with a great level of detail, but took the time to personally explain everything so I clearly understood. Some of the best legal guidance I have ever gotten and I will definitely be using him again in the future.”- Thomas Smith, Franchisee Client
  • “What I love most about Schuyler is his responsiveness and being detailed oriented. He always responds quicker than any other attorneys I have worked with and keeps me out of trouble.” – David Lee, Franchsior Client, Handam BBQ and founder of Restaurant Shares

    If it sounds like I or Reidel Law Firm might be a fit to assist you and your business, give me a call – let’s find a way to work together. My job as an attorney is to make your life easier by having an experienced and knowledgeable counselor on your side to take or give punches to protect your business. Schedule a time to chat today.

Why You Should Work with Me:

    How can you get important and timely counsel when you have to go through robot menus or a thousand assistants to just chat about what the issues are? I hate robot phone menus, we will never use those at Reidel Law Firm. We also have developed a secure, encrypted communications channel for our clients to use so they are not constrained by our office hours to reach us. You can check it out here: chat.reidellawfirm.com.

    Every project is flat fee, so don’t sweat the nickels and dimes with Reidel Law Firm. I believe billing by the hour is neither efficient nor ethical for attorneys (more on that below) so we do not bill by the hour here, each project is billed on a flat fee determined by the scope of the project, the complexity of the matter, and the time involved. We are on the same side, let’s get the project done the right way and on time.

    I meet my deadlines and show up ahead of schedule. A big reason for this is that I provide realistic timelines for my clients or potential clients. I don’t have 24-hour turn around. I keep my practice areas limited so I don’t get behind on schedule and work efficiently for clients.

Some Interesting Things About Me:

Just a few of the things I like to do when I have some free time. I have climbed 4 of the state highest peaks in the US. I enjoy sailing Galveston Bay and Clear Lake and dropping a line to fish when I can.

Thus far, I have been to 21 countries. I will keep this list updated as often as I can:

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Panama
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • Netherlands
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Slovakia
  • Croatia
  • Serbia
  • Hungary
  • Slovenia
  • Czechia
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • South Africa
  • China

I started as a jazz show host on my university’s radio station. Then I joined a small local radio station in Ocala, Florida as a night talk show host. We discussed everything from Bigfoot to Obamacare. Lots of fun.

I am a proponent and supporter of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Free or Open Source Software I use and Sponsor:

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