Richard Reinis

For 18 years prior to joining Glaser Weil, Richard was a partner at a national Am Law 100 and an Am Law 200 firm. From 1998 to 2006, he founded and served as CEO and General Counsel of the Krispy Kreme Southern California franchise, transforming it into the brand's largest franchisee. In addition, Richard co-founded the first area developer for Noodles & Co., a national public restaurant company, and, in 2021-22, partnered with the Williams family of Cincinnati and others to acquire the iconic Skyline Chili restaurant chain.

Richard also managed a boutique law practice in the fashion industry for 20 years, during which he partnered in the development of University Village in Riverside, California, created a wine exporting business, and founded and operated an international surf brand licensing company. This blend of legal acumen and hands-on business leadership has uniquely positioned Richard to provide practical, results-driven counsel to his clients.

In 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Richard to the state’s Fast Food Council, where he represents the interests of franchisors. The nine-member FCC is responsible for establishing wages for California's 550,000 fast food workers and oversight of working conditions and training within the industry. This appointment is not his first government service—for 11 years, he served as a commissioner and Co-Chair of the State Bar Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, having been appointed by California's Supreme Court Chief Justice. In 2018-19, Richard co-chaired the Stakeholders Conference on the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, presiding over hearings with members of the judiciary, legislature, legal service providers and commissioners to determine the future relationship between the Commission and the State Bar. This resulted in the establishment of the Commission’s independence.

Richard also testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce in 1998, contributing a statement on the California garment industry that is now part of the Congressional Record. Additionally, he co-authored and signed the first Long Form Agreement with Secretary of Labor Robert Reich in 1995, which governed “Hot Goods” in the apparel industry, allowing apparel to be sold, even if made in a non-complying garment contracting shop, so long as the manufacturer or brand owner paid all lost wages.

Richard earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California in 1969, where he served as Chief Justice of the Moot Court, a staff writer for the USC Law Review, and President of the Law Students Civil Rights Research Council, USC Chapter. He received his B.A. from Princeton University in 1965, where he was a standout athlete, earning First Team All-Ivy League honors in football.