Franchise Legal Player Awards | Q&A with Lane Fisher

Name: Lane Fisher

Firm: Fisher Zucker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanefisher

About FisherZucker: Fisher Zucker is a business law firm with a national practice dedicated almost exclusively to franchising and business licensing matters. Our lawyers have extensive experience in commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation and regularly litigate around the country. We also advise on franchise development, regulatory compliance, distribution and trademark licensing and protection matters. The firm represents more than 180 franchise brands and systems.

Website: https://fisherzucker.com

1851: How did you fall into franchising?

Fisher: I worked for an IP firm located in Philadelphia throughout graduate school and law school, doing manual patent and trademark searches (in the days before automated record searches). When the opportunity arose, I took a graduate course in franchising at GWU as part of my MBA program. As a summer associate I landed a summer clerkship at a large prestigious Philadelphia law firm, which represented AAMCO, among others. When I graduated from law school in 1989, I got a full time job at a franchise boutique law firm, worked there for seven years and the rest is history.

1851: What do you love most about franchising?

Fisher: What I love most about franchising is that you get to work with extremely entrepreneurial people at all ages and in a diverse range of industries. Because franchising is a channel of distribution and not an industry, there is a larger degree of sharing and cooperation among competitors, allowing emerging franchisors to capitalize on the experience of others rather than learning everything through trial and error. I also think the trade association does a terrific job assembling franchisors, franchisees and suppliers in one forum.

1851: What makes a great client?

Fisher: First and foremost, a great client actually listens to his or her counsel, whether or not they like the answer. A great client is a good listener who understands that the franchise education process is ongoing and participates in multiple educational programs every year. A good client gets out there, is active and takes personal responsibility for protecting the franchise landscape.

1851: What makes a great franchise attorney?

Fisher: A good franchise attorney is able to put himself in the client’s shoes, and understands the business context under which the legal issue arises. A good lawyer is a problem solver, who is constructive in framing potential resolutions, whether it be a dispute or a transaction and helps the client come to terms that ultimately achieve their business goals.