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Manufacturer & Dealer Representation

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.

The following individuals practice in this area:

Rene Del Barco Sam Karmin Nancy Levy Alexandra Ong Lidia Pinto James Waite
Rene Del Barco

Rene Del Barco

Legal Intern

Rene Del Barco is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound’s Coolidge Otis Chapman Honors Program, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with minors in mathematics and bioethics. During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Del Barco was the three-year captain of the Varsity Men’s Tennis Team and received the Robin Hamilton Award for Attitude and Effort contributing to team achievement. He is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor at The George Washington University Law School with a concentration in International Business Law. At The George Washington University Law School, he is actively involved in mock trial and the Student Bar Association. Mr. Del Barco brings a multidisciplinary background in healthcare and construction to support a practical and analytical approach to problem-solving in high-pressure environments. In his free time Mr. Del Barco sits on the Chapter Advisory Board for the Phi Delta Theta Washington Delta Chapter and has been selected to serve on the Alumni Leadership Circle for Regis Jesuit High School. Mr. Del Barco is fluent in English and Spanish and conversational in French, enabling him to engage effectively across diverse cultural and professional settings. Mr. Del Barco works with our attorneys in the following areas: He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at RDB@jwlinternational.com.
Sam Karmin

Sam Karmin

Legal Intern

Sam Karmin is a dual-degree graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Information Sciences from the School of Information and a Master of Business Management from the Ross School of Business. He is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he is actively involved in the Jewish Law Students Association and is preparing to join the National Trial Team. Prior to law school, Mr. Karmin built a strong foundation in financial planning and analysis, most recently serving as a Senior FP&A Analyst for Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group and Funding Circle LLC. In these roles, he led financial modeling, budgeting, and strategic planning across diverse business units. His earlier experience includes co-founding Concession Cups LLC, a sustainability-focused startup, and serving as a financial consultant at Guidehouse Inc., where he advised major healthcare systems on revenue cycle optimization and electronic medical record implementation. Mr. Karmin also completed a data analytics internship with Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and holds advanced certifications in financial modeling and valuation. His background spans corporate, consulting, and entrepreneurial environments, equipping him with a multidisciplinary perspective on business strategy, operational efficiency, and legal analysis. Mr. Karmin works with our attorneys in the following areas: He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at SJK@jwlinternational.com.
Nancy Levy

Nancy Levy

Chief Financial Officer

Nancy Levy is a seasoned sales and marketing executive with over a decade of experience in the equipment industry. She currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at JWL International, where she leads strategic growth initiatives and cultivates key partnerships across the sector. Prior to joining JWL International, Ms. Levy held finance leadership roles at several major technology firms, including Unisys, Symantec Corporation, and Cadence Design Systems/Tality Corporation. Her background in financial analysis and management has equipped her with a strong foundation in data-driven decision-making and operational strategy. Ms. Levy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Her combined expertise in finance and business development enables her to deliver impactful solutions that drive performance and long-term value. Ms. Levy works with our attorneys in the following areas: She can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at NWL@jwlinternational.com.
Alexandra Ong

Alexandra Ong

Associate Attorney

Ms. Ong is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and a Certificate in International Business Studies from Texas A&M University, graduating magna cum laude. Since joining JWL International in 2023, Ms. Ong has worked on a broad range of complex domestic and international business matters. She brings experience in manufacturer–dealer representation, business transactions, international legal research, regulatory analysis, and dispute resolution. Her work reflects a strong commitment to delivering thoughtful, business-oriented legal solutions. Ms. Ong’s practice focuses on the following: She can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at ALO@jwlinternational.com.
Lidia Pinto

Lidia Pinto

Senior Attorney; International Law, South America & the Far East

Lidia Pinto, Esq. is a senior corporate attorney with over 15 years of experience advising multinational corporations as both In-House and External Counsel. She has expertise supporting large multinational groups operating globally, with a focus on complex transactions involving commercial contracts, corporate law, international trade, taxation, and cross-border legal matters. Mrs. Pinto has served multinational companies in various segments, including big players in the equipment sector. Ms. Pinto has advised many clients when doing business worldwide, especially focused on LATAM matters, having broad experience in equipment distribution agreements throughout Latin America. Ms. Pinto holds an LL.M. in Commercial and Business Law from Liverpool John Moores University in England and brings a multilingual skill set to her practice. She is fluent in English and Portuguese and conversational in Spanish, enabling her to navigate diverse legal and cultural environments with ease. Ms. Pinto’s practice focuses on the following:
  •  Equipment and Auto Sales and Leasing
  • Manufacturer and Dealer Representation
  • International Trade
  • Cross-border Transactions
She can be reached via telephone at 866-582-2586 and via email at LCP@jwlinternational.com.
James Waite

James Waite

Founder

James R. Waite, Esq. is a seasoned corporate and transactional attorney with over three decades of experience in the acquisition, sale, and leasing of businesses, equipment, and real estate. Throughout his career, Mr. Waite has held executive leadership roles—including General Counsel, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer—across a diverse range of industries, from aviation to equipment leasing. He is the author of the American Rental Association’s definitive guide on rental contracts and has contributed extensively to national and international publications such as Equipment World, RER Magazine, International Rental News, Rental Magazine, ForConstructionPros, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Mr. Waite is also a frequent speaker at industry association conferences, where he shares insights on legal and operational best practices. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Mr. Waite holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University. Mr. Waite’s practice focuses on the following: He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at JRW@jwlinternational.com.

Meet With Us…

We negotiate, document, and provide follow-on legal services for equipment manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and lessors worldwide.

Over many years, our attorneys have successfully negotiated, documented, and closed a vast array of business transactions, including manufacturer-dealer relationships as well as business purchases, sales, leases, and financing transactions throughout North America and in over 20 countries.

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