DEALERSHIP LAW
Navigating legal complexities for dealerships and franchisees
Lavelle Law’s dealership group represents motor vehicle and other dealerships and franchisees on a variety of matters impacting their multi-faceted businesses. Our team of trusted lawyers is well-versed in helping dealers navigate the complexities of franchise relationships, business operations, and consumer disputes. We diligently stay up-to-date on hot-button issues and novel laws to help clients stay ahead of the curve and mitigate risk in this dynamic industry. At the end of the day, lawyers on the Lavelle Law dealership team use specialized knowledge and expertise to ensure that dealers are protected and taken care of.
Our Services
- Business Torts
- Contract Compliance
- Dealership Acquisitions
- Dealership and Franchise Litigation
- Dealership Business Establishment
- Dealership Buy/Sell Agreements
- Dealership Employment Matters
- Dealership Terminations
- Franchise Organization, Structuring, and Planning
- Licensing, Regulatory, and Advertising Compliance
- Resolution of Dealership and Franchise Consumer Issues
- Review and Negotiation of Dealership, Distribution, and Franchise Agreements
- Succession Planning
OUR DEALERSHIP LAW TEAM
Dealership Law Posts
Lavelle Law News and Events
Recently, OEMs like Tesla and Rivian implemented a direct-to-consumer approach that many state motor vehicle dealer laws are intended to prohibit. On May 27, 2025, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) submitted a Public Comment, defending state franchise laws.
If enacted, the Junk Fee Ban Act would protect consumers from hidden fees and promote fair business practices in Illinois. While there has yet to be legislation in the proposed Junk Fee Ban Act that excludes dealerships, it will be important to look for future updates on this bill, as Illinois is quickly becoming a hub for vehicle innovation and automotive plant expansion.
Amendments to BIPA
SB 2929 became effective on August 2, 2024. Codified as 740 ILCS 14/10 and 14/20, this Act introduced two pivotal changes to BIPA that dealers should be aware of:
• Limiting Per-Scan Damages: The amendments clarify that a single violation under BIPA accrues per type of violation, rather than per scan. This significantly reduces the financial exposure for dealerships.
• Electronic Consent: The amendments formalize electronic signatures as a valid means of securing biometric consent, streamlining compliance processes for businesses.
