Vehicle manufacturers face an array of legal risks – from regulatory pressures and investigations to product liability concerns and class action lawsuits. Addressing business critical issues – and anticipating potential problems before they arise – requires highly experienced legal counsel with a concentrated focus on the automotive sector.

Akerman's Automotive Manufacturing Litigation practice represents multinational manufacturers of autos, trucks, SUVs, motor homes, buses, and vehicular components in commercial litigation and governmental investigations. With extensive technical knowledge of the industry and substantial trial experience, our team has represented clients before state agencies, and in federal and state trials and arbitrations involving vehicle rollovers, lemon law complaints, alleged equipment malfunctions, and other products liability matters; contractual disputes between manufacturers and vendors, third parties, distributors, and carriers; tort claims; intellectual property disputes; and many other commercial matters.

In addition to being formidable advocates in the courtroom, we represent manufacturers before governmental agencies that regulate motor vehicle manufacturing and distribution. Our work includes contested case hearings tried before an administrative law judge or agency board, disputes before the licensing division, defense of claims pursued by the enforcement division, and related activity. In connection with our substantial experience with regulators, we regularly audit existing or planned business practices and structures, transactions, and contracts to assess their compliance with state rules and make the revisions needed to successfully secure approval.