Team > Lawyers > Houghton, John
John is a senior corporate/commercial lawyer with broad experience in business law. He has significant expertise in project developments in the oil sands and the North.
He routinely provides opinions in connection with license agreements, distributorship agreements, technology transfer documents, professional management and sports/entertainment law.
John is also an experienced arbitrator in business dispute resolution proceedings and is a registered trademark agent.
Recognition and Ranking
- Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: BV Peer Review rated
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: repeatedly recognized as a Leading Practitioner for franchising law
- Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for franchise law
Professional Activities
- National Business Law Section for the Canadian Bar Association and the Business Law Sub-Section of Alberta for the Law Society of Alberta, Past Chairman
- Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society, Member
- The Canadian Franchise Association and Alberta Franchisor's Institute, Member
- Canadian Franchise Association Convention (1999), Legal Chair
- University of Calgary Law School and MBA program, Sessional Lecturer on Franchising and has taught courses on Real Estate Law
- Federated Press Franchise and Distribution edition, Contributing Editor
Community Activities
- Parks Foundation Calgary, Board of Governors
- Together for Canada (1993), Executive Commitee
- Accommodation 1990 Federal Liberal Leadership Convention, Chairman
- Olympic Housing Bureau providing spectator accommodation, 1988 Olympic Winter Games, Chairman
- Heritage Park Foundation, Capital Campaign (Former Foundation President), Chairman
- University of Calgary Football Alumni Association, Past President
- Ducks Unlimited, Executive Committee, Past Member
- Alberta Ride for Sight, Past Director
Bar Admissions
- Alberta (1978)
Education
- University of Alberta (LL.B., 1977)
- University of Calgary (1974)
Experience
- Represented one of the largest quarries in Canada with respect to environmental and regulatory matters, project approval and operational considerations
- Represents one of the largest quick service restaurant chains with locations in Canada and the United States in connection with all corporate and franchise related matters
- Represents a variety of franchisors with respect to franchise compliance and operational matters in the Province of Alberta and elsewhere
- Provided expert opinions and evidence with respect to franchise litigation in the Province of Alberta and the Province of Ontario
- Represented a specialized fertilizer manufacturer in connection with a sale and amalgamation with the largest fertilizer producer and marketer in Canada
- Represented a variety of corporate and shareholder groups in connection with contractual issues, corporate structure, finance and related matters
- Represented a large publicly traded corporation with respect to a sales process and recapitalization negotiations, proxy materials and dissenting shareholder rights
- Represented a large limited partnership created for the purposes of acquiring a significant vineyard and wine making operation in British Columbia
- Represents one of Canada's largest retail and wholesale art galleries and online distribution program for fine art with respect to acquisition of intellectual property, sale and reproduction of artworks, internet commerce, art leasing and wholesale and retail distribution
News / Publications
Partnerships and Unincorporated Business Organizations (January 27, 2010)
Asset & Share Purchase Agreements (October 4, 2007)
Conferences
"Partnerships and Unincorporated Business Associations", 2010 Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, (January 26 - 27, 2010), Speaker
"Asset and Share Purchase Agreements", Negotiating & Drafting Key Business Agreements Conference, Canadian Institute (October 1 - 2, 2007), Speaker
Canadian Franchise Association Annual Legal Symposiums (1988 through 1998), Panelist
Institute of Continuing Legal Education Strategic Planning Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Faculty Member (twice)
Conducted strategic planning seminars for law firms in both Canada and the U.S.
