Leslie’s sharp wit and fantastic smile brighten the hallways of Plave Koch.  She brings over 10 years of experience in franchise counseling and regulatory compliance.  Leslie’s clients have made her a trusted troubleshooter for defaults, system changes, international expansion, buyback/resale programs, and other tough franchise system issues. She counsels franchisors, licensors, and manufacturers domestically and internationally on transactional, regulatory, and intellectual property issues involved in developing, expanding and maintaining franchise programs.   Leslie represents franchise clients on developing and revamping franchise programs, drafting franchise, license, and development agreements and counseling franchisors with regard to the franchise sales process and regulatory (FDD) compliance.  She also advises franchisors with regard to all aspects of the franchise relationship, including operational compliance, enforcing system standards, default, termination, renewal, workouts, transfers, remodeling/reimaging, debt restructuring, acquisition of franchised outlets, sale of company-operated outlets and sale of franchise systems.     Her International experience includes structuring and maintaining relationships through master franchising, direct franchising, joint ventures and development transactions.  She also represents franchisors in corporate transactions, financing and bankruptcy issues, captive market development, dispute resolution and negotiating contracts.

Publications (as author or co-author)   Understanding Franchise Law The Young Lawyer American Bar Association - Young Lawyers' Division August 2009 Exemption-Based Franchising:  Are You Playing in a Minefield? 28 American Bar Association Franchise Law Journal No. 4 Spring 2009 Legal Considerations In Expanding a Business through Franchising July 2007 | The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel   Sweeping Changes to Federal Labor Law Gain Momentum on Capitol Hill May 2, 2007 | Franchise Alert   The Franchise Transfer Process: Taking it One Step at a Time April 25, 2007 | Franchise Alert   Small Business Health Plans: What Will 2007 Bring? March 16, 2007 | Franchise Alert   The Basics of the Franchise Registration Process February 21, 2007 | Franchise Alert   Franchise Registration: It’s Time to Renew February 20, 2007 | Franchise Alert   Taking The Plunge—Are You Ready To Franchise? Winter 2006 | Small Business Opportunities   Small Business Health Plans: Are They Getting Closer to Reality? September 2006 | The Franchise Lawyer, Vol. 10, No. 1   Retool Your Franchise Program to Attract and Retain Women Franchisees June 2004 | Franchising World

Speeches and Presentations (as presenter, moderator, or co-presenter)   Growth Through Multi-Unit Franchising American Bar Association 32nd Annual Annual Forum on Franchising October 15-16, 2009 | Toronto, Canada Managing the Multi-State Disclosure Process Legal Roundtable 42nd International Franchise Association Legal Symposium May 2009 | Washington, DC Termination Issues International Franchise Association Annual Convention February 2009 | San Diego, California Common Pitfalls for Prospective Franchisees International Franchise Expo March 2009 | Washington, DC Best Practices for Dealing with a Franchisee Who Doesn’t Fit Into the System Legal Roundtable 41st International Franchise Association Legal Symposium May 2008 | Washington, DC   Pros and Cons of Using Brokers, Development Agents and Referral Sources American Bar Association 30th Annual Forum on Franchising October 10-12, 2007 | Phoenix, Arizona   How to Deal with the Financially Distressed Franchisee 40th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium May 8, 2007 | Washington   Best Practices for Working with Franchisees on Transfers Roundtable International Franchise Association 47th Annual Convention February 24-27, 2007 | Las Vegas, NV   Dealing with Financially Distressed Franchisees 38th International Franchise Association Legal Symposium May 8-10, 2005 | Washington, DC   Obtaining Franchisee Buy-In to Re-Imaging Programs International Franchise Association's 45th Annual Convention March 6-9, 2005 | Hollywood, FL   Legal Aspects of Franchising a Business International Franchise Expo May 1, 2004 | Washington, DC

Education   J.D., magna cum laude, University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Order of the Coif B.A., Elizabethtown College

Law Journals ·         Research Editor, University of Pittsburgh Law Review

Bar & Court Admissions   District of Columbia Bar Virginia Bar U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit U.S. District Courts for the District of Colorado and District of Columbia

Associations – Memberships   American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising - Governing Committee (2010-2013)  American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising  - Young Lawyers Division Liaison to the Governing Committee, Forum on Franchising (2007-2009). American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising Technology Committee (2004-present). CPR Institute, Franchise Mediation Program, Steering Committee (2009-present). International Franchise Association. Women Executive Leadership Network (2009-present). Northern Virginia Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Board of Directors, Member Services Co-Chair (2008-2009); President-Elect (2009-2010)

Honors   International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers (one of only twelve women, among 100 lawyers in the U.S., and 174 lawyers worldwide, recognized as a leader in the field of franchise law). Franchise Times - "Legal Eagles" The Best Lawyers of America