Yesterday our CEO class had the pleasure of spending the morning with Aspen Legal, and let’s just say… we were won over before the first lesson even started. Coffee, juice, AND doughnuts? (These people clearly understand the way to kids hearts—and bellies @ 6:50 a.m.)

From the moment we walked in, we could tell this wasn’t your typical “stuffy law office.” Founder Eric Riess and paralegal Karin Will welcomed us into a space that felt relaxed, real, and surprisingly funny for a law firm. Eric’s dry sense of humor had our students laughing so hard they occasionally forgot they were learning about corporate structures, trademarks, and the FTC.

A proud Mascoutah High School alum, Eric shared his story of working as a CPA for a Fortune 500 company before earning his law degree from Washington University. Eventually, he grew tired of the long “billable hour” grind of corporate law and decided to carve his own path — creating Aspen Legal, a firm built on authenticity, approachability, and expertise. He was the cofounder and serves as legal counsel to the world’s largest franchise brokers association in Orlando, and still finds time to build businesses alongside his wife, Jill Riess, including their venture LOZ Vacations.

Eric and Karin walked our students through the world of franchising in a way that made complex topics feel simple and engaging. They reminded us that franchise aren’t just fast-food chains — they’re businesses in nearly every industry, often locally owned by people right here in our communities. He reminded us that law (and life) doesn’t have to be intimidating, and that success often comes from carving your own path.

Huge thanks to Eric and Karin for giving our class a crash course in franchising, branding, and business ownership—served up with a side of humor, heart, and a box of doughnuts!

Aspen Legal—you made law cool.