The Manufacturer and Dealer practice provides specialized legal counsel to product manufacturers, distributors, franchisors, and independent or authorized dealers across a wide range of industries, including automotive, heavy equipment, consumer goods, and industrial machinery. This practice supports clients through the full product lifecycle—from design and production to distribution, sale, servicing, and regulatory compliance.

Attorneys in this practice understand the unique operational, contractual, and regulatory challenges manufacturers and dealers face and deliver practical, business-oriented legal solutions to protect commercial interests, manage channel relationships, and ensure compliance.

Core services include:

• Manufacturer–Dealer Agreements
  • Drafting, negotiating, and enforcing distribution, dealership, franchise, reseller, and OEM agreements, including terms related to territory, performance standards, exclusivity, warranty, and termination.
• Commercial and Supply Chain Transactions
  • Advising on sales contracts, vendor and supplier agreements, logistics and warehousing arrangements, inventory management, and just-in-time (JIT) production contracts.
• Franchise and Distribution Law Compliance
  • Counseling on compliance with federal and state franchise laws, dealer protection statutes, and regulatory filings (e.g., FDD compliance, FTC Franchise Rule, state dealer acts).
• Dealer Network Strategy and Disputes
  • Assisting manufacturers in managing dealer network optimization, expansion, and termination. Representing clients in disputes over encroachment, allocation, refusal to renew, and dealer rights litigation.
• Product Liability and Regulatory Compliance
  • Providing guidance on product safety standards, labeling requirements, recalls, and liability risk mitigation. Representing clients in litigation involving defective products or warranty claims.
• Advertising, Marketing, and Warranty Law
  • Advising on advertising regulations, promotional materials, MAP (minimum advertised price) policies, and warranty disclosures under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and state laws.
• M&A and Succession Planning
  • Structuring and supporting the purchase, sale, or succession of dealerships and manufacturing businesses, including due diligence, regulatory compliance, and asset or stock purchase agreements.
• Licensing, Branding, and IP Protection
  • Helping clients protect and license trademarks, trade secrets, and patents related to products, brands, and dealership operations.