Lee Plave

1851: How did you fall into franchising?

Plave: I was at the FTC and looking at options, and seeking a practice where I could work closely with innovative clients and colleagues. Found it!

1851: What do you love most about franchising?

Plave: As a lawyer, you have to have a passion for the business or activity upon which the law acts. And I really love the entrepreneurship and vitality of franchisors and franchisees. An old colleague used to say that the “dirty little secret of franchising” is that it’s fun. He was right.

1851: What makes a great client?

Plave: A company with passion for delivering a service or a product that makes their customers’ lives better, more enjoyable, or even more fun.

1851: What makes a great franchise attorney?

Plave: That’s the $64,000 question. Listening to what your clients are trying to accomplish and helping them reach that goal is critical. And while this will sound trite, putting your clients’ interests first will help them in the short-term and forge a long-term relationship that’s based on something much more than legal fees generated this quarter.