AUTOMOTIVE
- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
- PROFESSIONALS
-
RELATED PRACTICES
-
RELATED INDUSTRIES
Reinvent, rebuild, revitalize. These are the automotive industry’s 21st century challenges in the wake of the transformational economy of 2008. Our attorneys can use the institutional knowledge they have gained serving auto industry clients to help them tackle new legal issues as they work to build a modern, competitive industry on a century-old foundation.
Our services to the auto industry are wide-ranging and include significant representation of auto manufacturers and automakers’ financing companies. We have developed particular strengths in counseling auto manufacturers on transportation regulatory matters, handling their labor and employment issues, and defending them in class actions and in products liability and warranty litigation. We also represent the companies that supply the auto industry with essential components, such as seat belts and brake pads, in products liability litigation.
Thompson Coburn represents automotive dealerships as well. In guiding our dealer clients, we offer services including, but not limited to, consumer class action defense, labor and employment counseling and litigation defense, regulatory compliance, auditing, advertising review, and corporate/transactional services. Our broad-based industry knowledge and experience help us craft creative, reasonable and seasoned approaches to difficult situations.
We have successfully defended auto manufacturers and suppliers in class actions, attorney general investigations, multidistrict litigation and other complex litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country. We serve as national class action counsel for FCA US LLC, and as national class action counsel and products liability counsel for Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA.
We have extensive experience in representing lenders in connection with dealer floor plan financing arrangements as well as loan facilities for dealership acquisitions, real estate construction and tenant improvements. Our experience in representing lenders to motor vehicle dealers also covers replevin actions and self-help repossessions, as well as Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Several of our attorneys have supervised and conducted the repossession and foreclosure of vehicles from single-location dealers and multiple-location megadealers.
We also have deep experience in the acquisition, leasing and finance of large fleets of vehicles. We represent major transportation companies, such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental, in connection with the purchase, sale, financing, lease and rental of vehicles worldwide. We also handle intellectual property issues, including trademark registrations, on a global basis for these companies.
Case Studies
Publications
NAFTA, tariffs and trade wars: Are you ready to do battle in Missouri?
Seven steps to avoid the new waves of Chinese tariffs on industrial goods
In California, when is a ‘worker’ considered an ‘employee’?
What to do when the government comes calling: A checklist for handling facility inspections
5 tips for environmental due diligence in business transactions
D.C. appellate court strikes another nail in the coffin for the Frye test
Industry custom evidence held admissible in CA product liability case based on defective design
California expands pay equity, limits pay stub requirements
What U.S. companies need to know about their IP rights post-Brexit
Former head of OSHA discusses workplace injury policies, DOJ enforcement
New OSHA reporting and anti-retaliation rules
Court preserves GM’s copyright claims against Autel and its VP
California auto dealers: Re-check your pay plans and wage statements before January 1, 2016
TPP accord faces uncertain future in Congress
Appellate decision helps CA dealers navigate CLRA responses
Blog Posts
In Pegasus-related copyright suit, judge sidelines as art critic
News
Gain Executive Insights on trade developments with Thompson Coburn, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Thompson Coburn earns corporate counsel recommendations five years running in national report
Jury throws out hearing loss claims against Federal Signal in Philadelphia
David Warfield talks US Fidelis case on CNBC’s ‘American Greed’
Cherie Stephens Bock selected for 2014-2015 class of Leadership St. Louis
Jim Slear leads webinar on ‘Navigating the Russian and Ukrainian Sanctions Maze’
Francis X. Buckley, Jr. elected to board of directors of the American College of Bankruptcy
Chicago judge tosses nationwide class action against Kawasaki
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Cherie represents financial institutions and borrowers in various secured and unsecured lending transactions. Cherie represents financial institutions and borrowers in various secured a... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
Los Angeles
|
As a senior litigator with more than 30 years of experience, Jeff develops and executes highly effective litigation strategies for clients with all types of complex dispu... As a senior litigator with more than 30 years of experience, Jeff develops ... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
Chicago
|
Frank is a longtime advisor to financial service providers who assists with insolvency and restructuring matters, loan enforcement, and a host of other business issues. Frank is a longtime advisor to financial service providers who assists with... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Dan handles various types of complex litigation, including business, tort, product liability, intellectual property, and class action defense. Dan handles various types of complex litigation, including business, tort, ... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Stephen aggressively defends companies against consumer class action lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the country as a member of Thompson Coburn's Business... Stephen aggressively defends companies against consumer class action lawsui... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Jim is an experienced real estate strategist and negotiator who counsels companies on a broad range of real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, develo... Jim is an experienced real estate strategist and negotiator who counsels ... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Suzanne is a versatile litigator who has spent her career finding solutions for matters involving healthcare providers and manufactures of medical products. Suzanne is a versatile litigator who has spent her career finding solutions... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Steve has successfully litigated a wide variety of matters for more than 30 years, the last 15 of which have focused on intellectual property. Steve has successfully litigated a wide variety of matters for more than&nb... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Ed is a veteran litigator and head of the Firm's Antitrust Practice Group. Ed is a veteran litigator and head of the Firm's Antitrust Practice Group. |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
New York
|
Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in federal and state courts throughout the United States in a wide variety of major commercial disp... Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in f... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Greg represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated securities offerings, and offers advice on the wide range of regulatory and compliance issues affect... Greg represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated secur... |
|
|||||
|
Senior Counsel
|
St. Louis
|
Tom is the immediate past Chair of Thompson Coburn, where for 20 years he led the Firm through a period of growth and nationwide expansion. Tom is the immediate past Chair of Thompson Coburn, where for 20 years he l... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Manoo serves as a strategist for high-stakes litigation, tapping his well-honed research and writing skills to craft motions and briefs that help clients navigate thorny ... Manoo serves as a strategist for high-stakes litigation, tapping his well-h... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
New York
|
Zachary delivers practical, tactical, and experienced advice to corporate, lending, and fiduciary clients with respect to all phases of litigation, alternate dispute reso... Zachary delivers practical, tactical, and experienced advice to corporate, ... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
St. Louis
|
Carl has represented corporations in high-stakes litigation on a regional and national basis for over 30 years. Carl has represented corporations in high-stakes litigation on a regional a... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
Southern Illinois
|
Kurt is experienced in the defense of personal injury and property damage litigation including FELA, trucking, product liability, class action and mass tort litigation. Kurt is experienced in the defense of personal injury and property damage l... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
Southern Illinois
|
Erick is an experienced litigation partner in the Firm's Southern Illinois office. Erick is an experienced litigation partner in the Firm's Southern Illi... |
|
|||||
|
Senior Counsel
|
St. Louis
|
Kathy is a highly experienced litigator who has spent the majority of her career defending large corporations, including major auto manufacturers, in class actions across... Kathy is a highly experienced litigator who has spent the majority of her c... |
|
|||||
|
Partner
|
Dallas
|
Dawn defends major product manufacturers and chemical distributors in products liability and mass tort litigation. Dawn defends major product manufacturers and chemical distributors in produ... |
|
|||||
|
Chair
|
St. Louis
|
Roman serves as Chair of Thompson Coburn. Roman serves as Chair of Thompson Coburn. |
|
|||||