Transactions, operations and business protections

As legal advisors to retail auto dealers, we offer a total commitment to the industry and to your business. Here's where and how we can help:

Outside general counsel services

Our on-call general counsel services are ideal for clients whose legal teams need sophisticated support as well as dealerships that rely on outside lawyers for legal guidance.

Scali Rasmussen's uncommonly good legal business sense covers all the areas dealerships need to work well, from formation and dissolution of corporations and partnerships to corporate minutes and resolutions and transfer of stock.

In addition, we prepare buy-in agreements and shareholder agreements and advise on succession planning. Our contract review and drafting services help you structure your contractual relationships to maximize opportunities and reduce risks.

Buy/sell and buy-in agreements and related litigation

The acquisition or sale of a dealership carries scores of specific and unique requirements. We have represented both buyers and sellers in these transactions. We prepare agreements and provide advice in such related areas as:

  • Purchase and sale or leasing of real estate
  • Management agreements
  • Due diligence
  • Environmental issues
  • Financing
  • Buy-ins and other dealership related issues

Additionally, we litigate disputes over buy/sell agreements either due to a breach or fraud in the inducement or other theory.

Business operations

We've worked with many car dealerships in the past 30 years. Our attorneys leverage that industry knowledge to help clients improve operations and increase efficiency.

Whether it is to develop and implement a Red Flags program, a protocol for inventory control or to develop a factory-compliant Certified Pre-Owner (CPO) program, Scali Rasmussen has the experience required to advise dealers on operations and processes unique to the automotive industry.

Trade secrets and trade infringement

High employee turnover is just one of the competitive pressures for retail auto dealers. Our counsel helps you develop and maintain effective policies and procedures to safeguard vital trade secrets, such as customer lists and lease return dates.

We also have effective measures to enforce your rights when an employee moves to a competitor and attempts to use your proprietary information, from trade secrets to trademarks and other intellectual property.

Labor, employment and human resources

Car dealer workforces come with numerous issues, all of which Scali Rasmussen meets head on. We advise clients with both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. Our dealer-focused services in labor, employment and human resources include:

  • Wage and hour laws
  • Arbitration agreements
  • Employment practice review
  • Collective bargaining contracts and memorandum of understanding (MOU)
  • Employee policies and handbooks
  • HR audits
  • Harassment, discrimination and other EEOC claims
  • Retaliation claims
  • Privacy claims

We have successfully represented dealer clients in defense of wage and hour class actions and individual employee actions, both in arbitration and in court.

Commercial leases and contracts

Active dealerships frequently need legal support for lease agreements and other commercial contracts. Our familiarity with current market terms and pressure points adds value when we draft or negotiate short and long-term agreements.