Discuss Your Franchised Dealership’s Legal Needs with National Franchise Distribution Lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein
If you own a franchised dealership or distributorship, you know how difficult it can be to succeed within the confines of your franchisor’s system. Despite everything you pay, and despite everything you were promised before you signed your franchise agreement, you still face daily struggles. Whether you are hamstrung by your franchisor’s operational controls or you simply can’t turn a profit with the prices you are forced to pay for your inventory and supplies, if you need help, you should discuss your options with an experienced franchise distribution lawyer promptly.
Jeffrey M. Goldstein is nationally-recognized and has been exclusively representing franchisees and dealers for more than 30 years. He is intimately familiar with the challenges that distributors face on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Goldstein is known as a “go-to” attorney for hardball franchise litigation, and, if you need to take legal action to protect your dealership or distributorship, he can help you secure the remedies you need to move forward.
Common Issues in Distribution Agreement Disputes
When it comes to disputes between distributors and their franchisors, there are a number of issues that we see repeatedly. For example, some examples of the most common issues in dealership and distributorship litigation include:
- Antitrust Violations – Antitrust issues are pervasive in the franchise industry, and this is particularly true in the area of distribution. We have extensive experience representing clients with regard to matters such as customer restrictions, minimum price fixing, profit passovers, tying arrangements, and unilateral refusals to deal.
- Unfair Franchise Practices – The term “unfair franchise practices” refers to a bucket of unlawful practices that are common among franchisors in the distribution sector. This includes practices such as unfair competition, unlawful restraints of trade, and discrimination involving suppliers and distributors.
- Unfair Non-Compete Clauses – Unfair noncompete clauses can unduly restrict former dealers’ and distributors’ business activities. While franchisors can restrict their former franchisees’ competitive activities within reason, many seek to impose unreasonably burdensome restrictions.
- Territorial Encroachment – Whether by franchisors or by other licensed distributors, territorial encroachment is a persistent concern for franchise owners. This includes both extraterritorial marketing and extraterritorial sales.
- Wrongful Refusals to Renew – Are you struggling to renew your dealership or distributorship agreement? You are not alone. Franchisors rely on various excuses to force out unwanted dealers and distributors, and in many cases their efforts cross the line into wrongful refusals to renew.
- Wrongful Terminations – Wrongful terminations are commonplace as well. If you believe that your dealership or distributorship has been wrongfully terminated, or if you are concerned that your agreement may be wrongfully terminated, it is strongly in your best interests to speak with an attorney immediately.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with Franchise Distribution Lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein
For more information about how we help dealers and distributors enforce their legal rights and protect their franchises, please contact us to schedule a free initial consultation. Call 202-293-3947 to request an appointment with national franchise distribution lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein, or tell us how to reach you and we will be in contact shortly.
