Your Growth. Our Mission.

The automotive retail landscape is evolving rapidly, and dealership groups need legal counsel who understand the road ahead. Fox Rothschild's Automotive practice is built around one central commitment: helping dealers grow. Whether you’re acquiring your next store, expanding into a new market or planning for the next generation of ownership, our team is your strategic partner at every turn.

Led by attorneys who have devoted their careers to the automotive dealership industry, our practice operates on a truly national scale. With the resources and reach of a large, full-service law firm behind us, we represent clients ranging from single-point stores to top-100 and publicly traded dealership groups. That platform means we can handle transactions throughout the country, advise on the regulatory nuances of multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, and deliver the kind of sophisticated, coordinated counsel that today's expanding dealer groups demand.

What sets us apart is not just what we do, but how we do it. We don't see ourselves as outside counsel you call when a problem arises. We are strategic advisers and confidants — an extension of your leadership team. We invest deeply in understanding your business, your goals and the industry in which you operate. That philosophy is why our clients stay with us and why we continue to grow alongside them.

We’re also deeply embedded in the automotive dealer community. Our attorneys are active members of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the National Association of Dealer Counsel (NADC), National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), the National Independent Automotive Dealers Association (NIADA), as well as many state automotive associations across the country. We know your world because we live in it — attending industry events, building relationships with manufacturers and finance companies, and staying on the front lines of the issues that affect your business every day.

Buying and Selling of Dealerships

Dealership acquisitions and divestitures are the cornerstone of our practice. We have advised on hundreds of buy-sell transactions from start to finish, representing buyers and sellers of every size — from operators acquiring their first store to national groups executing multi-state, multi-brand portfolio transactions.

Our team guides clients through every phase of the deal lifecycle, including due diligence, letter-of-intent negotiation, debt structuring and floor plan financing, manufacturer approval processes, real estate transfer, and post-closing integration. We understand the unique dynamics of dealership transactions—including the critical role that factory consent, franchise approvals, and lender coordination play—and we work closely with our clients and their financial advisers to protect enterprise value at every step.

Because of our long-standing relationships with manufacturers, banks, and finance companies across the country, we are able to move quickly and effectively when issues arise during a transaction. We don't send form letters; we pick up the phone and speak directly with the decision-makers, accelerating the process and delivering better outcomes for our clients.

Franchise Law, Compliance and Manufacturer Relations

The franchisor-dealer relationship is one of the most consequential and heavily regulated aspects of your business. Our attorneys advise clients on their rights and obligations under state and federal franchise laws and advocate vigorously on their behalf in disputes with manufacturers and franchisors.

Our work in this area spans the full range of franchise matters, including ownership transfers and add-point applications, facility image and site-control disputes, warranty reimbursement claims, franchise modification and termination proceedings, allocation and incentive program disputes, and price discrimination concerns. When disputes escalate, our seasoned litigators represent clients in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. We also help clients stay ahead of problems through proactive compliance audits and the implementation of practical policies and procedures tailored to the dealership environment.

Corporate Structuring and Growth Strategy

As the industry continues to evolve and dealer groups expand, thoughtful corporate structuring becomes essential. We counsel clients on entity formation, partnership and operating agreements, joint ventures, and the organizational frameworks needed to support multi-location, multi-state operations. Our goal is to position your business for sustainable growth while managing risk and preserving operational flexibility.

Business Succession Planning

Transitioning a dealership to the next generation involves a unique set of legal, financial, and personal considerations. We understand how to plan an estate transition so that your family can retain the dealership rather than sell it to pay estate taxes, and we know how to structure a succession so that your designated successor is positioned to become the dealer-principal. Our attorneys work alongside estate planners, tax advisers, and family members to create seamless exit strategies that ensure business continuity while honoring the legacy you have built.

Real Estate

Dealership real estate transactions carry their own set of complexities, from environmental considerations and zoning requirements to manufacturer site-control demands. We handle acquisitions, dispositions, like-kind exchanges, and leases for clients of all sizes — from publicly traded groups with large portfolios to single-point operators. Our real estate attorneys coordinate closely with the transactional team to ensure that real estate matters are resolved efficiently and in alignment with your broader business strategy.

Full-Service Support for Every Need

Beyond our core transactional and franchise practice, Fox Rothschild offers a deep bench of talent spanning the legal disciplines that matter most to automotive businesses. Once you are part of the Fox family, you have a single point of contact for virtually every legal need your business may encounter.

Our capabilities include:

Employment
Your workforce is one of your most significant investments. We advise clients daily on employment matters, helping implement effective workplace policies and wage-and-hour practices and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations—particularly during corporate transactions when workforce integration is critical.

Labor Relations
For dealerships facing the prospect of union activity, we assist with labor-relations strategy and NLRA compliance, including campaign planning, lawful communications, supervisor training, and NLRB election procedures. Our Labor Management Relations team is experienced in collective bargaining, arbitrations, and day-to-day contract administration.

Employee Benefits
We design and implement retirement, health, welfare, and executive compensation programs that help you attract and retain the talent your business needs to thrive.

Tax Controversy and Litigation
Our tax team, which includes former IRS attorneys, represents dealership owners and businesses before the IRS, in Tax Court, and in federal and state courts on matters ranging from audits to complex tax litigation.

Environmental
Automotive businesses often face distinct environmental challenges tied to their real estate footprint and day-to-day operations. Our environmental attorneys help you comply with current regulations, plan for future requirements and manage environmental risk in the context of transactions and ongoing operations.

Family Law
We understand that some legal needs are deeply personal matters and can also impact your business. Fox Rothschild's experienced family law attorneys provide comprehensive representation in custody, support, alimony and property division matters, always with an eye toward protecting the business interests at stake.