1851

Honoree:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/plave/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-lee-plave-plave-koch-plc-2726986" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lee Plave</a> Role:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.plavekoch.com/attorney/plave-lee-j/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-lee-plave-plave-koch-plc-2726986" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Partner, Plave Koch PLC</a>Lee Plave, a partner at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.plavekoch.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-lee-plave-plave-koch-plc-2726986" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Plave Koch PLC</a>, brings extensive experience in counseling distributors and franchisors. He specializes in drafting and negotiating franchise agreements for complex international and domestic transactions and advises clients on all aspects of franchise and distribution law. Plave also provides guidance on the application of technology to franchise and distribution systems, addressing issues such as social networking, e-commerce, data security, cybersquatting and domain name disputes. His expertise extends to serving as an expert witness and representing clients before the Federal Trade Commission.Plave’s numerous accolades include being named Global Franchise Lawyer of the Year by Who’s Who Legal for three consecutive years and receiving the Lexology Client Choice Award for Top Franchise Lawyer in the United States in 2023. Plave is also recognized as a Certified Franchise Executive (IFA) and has been listed in Chambers USA and Chambers Global, among other prestigious directories.1851 Franchise reached out to Lee Plave to learn about how franchisors can protect their brand and avoid legal mistakes. Check out his insights below.1851 Franchise: What do you see as the most important things a franchisor should do to protect their brand?Lee Plave: Embrace CCA – a culture of competence, a culture of compliance and a culture of accountability. Those core principles can serve as a guide to seeking operational excellence, which really is the key not just to success, but also to nurturing and protecting the brand.1851 Franchise: How important is the information in Item 19?Lee Plave: A prospective franchisee likely wants to see&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/guide-to-buying-another-franchise-search-for-brands-that-align-with-your-financial-outcome-2726350">financial performance data</a>, and providing that can sometimes make a substantial difference in offering a franchise. Each franchisor must decide what and how much information — if any — it wishes to provide. Some systems rely on franchisees to provide an assessment. One challenge for counsel in preparing FPRs [financial performance representations] is that state examiners sometimes demand deletion of explanatory information that can be helpful in putting the data in a real-world context. Although examiners understandably want to prevent a franchisor from disclaiming the data, that can be accomplished through simple text saying “nothing here is a disclaimer” — while the franchisor can still provide detail that is genuinely useful to understanding the circumstances surrounding an FPR.1851 Franchise: What is the single largest legal mistake brands make?Lee Plave: Attention to detail in operations is the key to success, and any lack of focus on that will cause business headaches. And … business headaches lead to legal nightmares.1851 Franchise: How do you stand out as a franchise law firm?Lee Plave: We don’t monetize every waking moment of our existence and our clients tell us that that resonates with them. Because we’re a relatively small firm that focuses attention on franchising and distribution, we don’t have the trappings, bloat and bureaucracy of a large firm. We typically only represent franchisors and manufacturers, so we rarely have conflicts (which especially comes in handy when we collaborate with national “white shoe” law firms on their clients’ PE transactions). Our experienced deep bench of 10 partners who work on franchisors’ behalf day-to-day is almost unmatched in the U.S. — and with what our clients tell us are reasonable rates.1851 Franchise: What is the best business advice you have received in your career?Lee Plave: Focus on the long-term, maintain that strategic focus and don’t succumb to short-termism.Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-legal-players-lee-plave-plave-koch-plc-2726986" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Meet Lee Plave: Top Franchise Legal Expert | Plave Koch PLC

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise’s annual showcase of the top players in the franchise industry is back. Meet Lee Plave, and hear his insights on legal issues in the franchise space.


Top Franchise Legal Players: Lee Plave, Plave Koch PLC

top-franchise-legal-players-lee-plave-plave-koch-plc

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Melting Pot

Melting Pot 50th anniversary photo, featuring three people enjoying celebratory drinks and fondue

Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments

melting-pot-50th-anniversary-fondue-celebration

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Kathy Turner: The Filta Franchisee Keeping LA's Kitchens Cooking (and Green)

kathy-turner-the-filta-franchisee-keeping-las-kitchens-cooking-and-green

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: 1851 Supplier Highlights

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: List of Franchise Suppliers

emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchise Banking/Financing | ApplePie Capital — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-bankingfinancing-applepie-capital-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Clayton Kendall: Revolutionizing the Franchise Marketing Supply Chain

clayton-kendall-revolutionizing-the-franchise-marketing-supply-chain

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Top Franchise Legal Players: Lee Plave, Plave Koch PLC

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS