Automotive Law

If you own a franchised auto dealership, you can count on our broad experience in virtually all areas of an auto dealer's diverse business, transactional and legal needs

we know the auto business

We represent automobile dealers in:

• administrative licensing and compliance

• consumer issues

• contracts

• employment law

• entity structuring

• estate planning

• franchise agreements and disputes

• land use

• mergers and acquisitions

• operational matters

• real estate sales and leases

• sales and use tax disputes

• tax planning

• truth-in-lending advice

Stephen P. Linzer, who leads Sacks Tierney's Automotive Law practice group, serves as general counsel to the Valley Automobile Dealers Association, the Valley Toyota Dealers Advertising Association, the Ford Dealers Advertising Association of Arizona, and the Las Vegas and Arizona-Nevada Chrysler-Jeep Dealer Advertising Association.

what you need most is what we do best

Buying and selling. We have negotiated and prepared documents for the sale of many automobile dealerships – affiliated with virtually every major manufacturer – in Arizona and other states. These sales have involved asset sales, stock sales, and a wide variety of real estate-related transfers and leases.

Employment. We can assist you in wage and hour compliance; hiring and firing; compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws (gender, race, religion, age, disability, etc.); representation before the U.S. Department of Labor, the EEOC, and the Arizona Attorney General's Office; Family and Medical Leave Act issues, sexual harassment prevention, and other federal and state matters. We provide on-site training for managers and supervisors in appropriate interview techniques, employee reviews, and disciplinary procedures. And we can prepare and review your employee manuals, handbooks, employment applications, termination letters, and other employment related documents.

Dispute resolution. Sacks Tierney's dealership litigation experience includes claims against manufacturers and third-party vendors, franchise disputes, employee claims, consumer claims, and most other forms of commercial disputes. 

Corporate law. We help you select the right type of business entity – corporation, partnership, LLC, etc. – that is right for your situation and goals. We can document transactions, maintain your corporate records, and monitor changes in the law and your business that might give rise to a change of legal entity.

Taxation and planning. Auto dealers' often complex business arrangements and ventures often give rise to tax controversy. We can help you plan for, avoid, and fight tax problems involving sales and use taxes at the state and city levels; income taxes at the federal and state levels; excise taxes, etc.