• People
  • Services & Industries
  • Insights
  • Innovation
  • Offices
  • My Binder
  • PDF

Automotive Dealership

Overview
Insights

Overview

It’s not easy to understand and comply with all the workplace rules impacting auto dealers. Whether you’re dealing with complex issues relating to pay plans, discrimination and harassment, unions, or OSHA, not to mention the threat of state or federal audits, you'll want our industry-experienced lawyers at your side every step along the way.

The Fisher Phillips Automotive Dealership Team has represented automobile and other vehicle dealers and dealer groups nationwide for over half a century. When you call us for advice, you instantly tap into decades of experience dealing with your industry and the resources of a firm exclusively devoted to labor and employment law. You won’t have to explain what F&I managers do or how service technicians are paid. Our long and close association with the retail automobile industry uniquely positions us to help you solve your employee problems with minimal disruption.

We have a long history of representing:

  • Large, publicly-traded auto dealership consolidators
  • Privately-owned national and regional dealership groups
  • Independent and family owned dealerships
  • Local, state, and national trade associations

COMPLIANCE

We know how to keep you out of trouble. We develop effective pay plans that contain the right disclosures necessary to avoid expensive lawsuits. We draft and implement effective employment policies on hiring, discipline, and termination that comply with the latest legal requirements. We train managers so they know how to make proper employment decisions. And we can provide you with timely advice concerning day-to-day workplace law matters.

UNION ASSISTANCE

We know your business may be targeted by unions even if no union has yet surfaced. We take proactive steps with you to build a workplace that will repel a union organizing campaign before it gets off the ground and can assist with effective workplace communication strategies if an organizing campaign starts up. If you are already unionized, we help you develop and carry out effective bargaining tactics, and ensure you understand your management rights.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

You’re at considerable risk if all your employees don’t scrupulously follow federal and state workplace safety rules. Working closely with our Workplace Safety and Catastrophe Management team, we’ll prepare you to prevent unsafe conditions, help handle inspections, defend you in legal or enforcement actions, and guide you through crises. Our teams know the rules and regulations governing the many moving parts of your operations, including the myriad OSHA, DOT, and NHTSA standards governing your parts and service departments.

DEFENSE OF LEGAL ACTIONS

If you end up the target of an administrative charge or lawsuit, or are involved in an arbitration, we'll be by your side. We have a track record of proven success defending employment claims in the dealership industry.  We defend discrimination and harassment charges and other legal claims filed by employees and former employees effectively, efficiently, and vigorously, and will even go to the Supreme Court for you, if necessary.

Insights

  • Insights

    02/12/25

    The Auto Dealer’s Guide to FLSA Exemptions: An Inventory of Commonly Used Categories + Your Maintenance Plan to Stay Compliant

    Christopher C. Hoffman, Matthew R. Simpson

    Read more 

  • Event

    01/22/25

    FP Workplace Law Forecast 2025

    John M. Polson, Richard R. Meneghello

    Read more 

  • Insights

    12/11/24

    FP’s Workplace Law Forecast 2025

    John M. Polson

    Read more 

  • Event

    11/19/24

    A Dealership Crash Course in Minimum Wage and Overtime Exemptions

    Matthew R. Simpson, Christopher C. Hoffman

    Read more 

  • Insights

    09/16/24

    FP Dealership Update: Is it Time For a Trade-In of Your Employee Handbook?

    Tillman Y. Coffey, Matthew R. Simpson

    Read more 

  • Publication

    08/13/24

    Columbus Attorney Provides Workforce Factors for Site Selection Process

    Raymond W. Perez, Dennis C. Cuneo

    Read more 

  • Insights

    06/28/24

    What Dealers Should Do About the CDK Cyberattack

    Christopher C. Hoffman, Matthew R. Simpson

    Read more 

  • Insights

    06/14/24

    Massachusetts Appeals Court Broadly Interprets “Joint Employment” to Hold Management Company Liable: 6 Steps to Minimize Your Risk

    Joshua D. Nadreau

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/31/24

    FP Auto Dealer Snapshot: If You Haven’t Been Filing EEO-1 Reports, It’s Time to Rethink Everything – And Fast

    Sheila M. Abron, Jennifer B. Sandberg

    Read more 

  • News

    05/22/24

    Fisher Phillips Partner Discusses the DOL’s Overtime Rule and its Potential Impact on Automobile Dealerships

    Tillman Y. Coffey

    Read more 

View All 

Key Contacts

  1. Christopher Hoffman Bio Photo
    Christopher C. Hoffman
    Regional Managing Partner

    858.597.9610

    Email
  2. Matthew Simpson Bio Photo
    Matthew R. Simpson
    Partner

    404.240.4221

    Email
  3. See all 

Drive Thru Video Series

We encourage you to watch our “Monthly Drive Thru” video series, which provides monthly updates and tips for auto dealers.

Click below to view recent episodes:

  • May 2022
  • March 2022
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021

We Also Recommend

Subscribe to Our Latest Insights 

©2025 Fisher & Phillips LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Notices
  • Client Payment Portal
  • My Binder