Attorneys in the Auto and Truck Dealership practice group provide legal advice and counsel to the motor vehicle dealership industry and its members. Our practice group is well connected to the auto industry and we understand the unique needs of auto and truck dealerships. Services offered range from acting as general counsel for dealerships and their principals to representation on specific matters. Our proactive counsel allows clients to identify and address issues before they become problems. Our attorneys are experienced in succession planning (including ownership structuring and corporate, tax and estate planning), motor vehicle franchise law, dealership sales and acquisitions, real estate transactions and valuation, federal and state regulatory matters (including environmental law, consumer protection and antitrust, trade and business regulation), employment law, banking and financing, dispute resolution, and litigation and compensation and benefits. In connection with these services, we regularly deal with auto and truck manufacturers and the financing companies that serve the industry.

Leonard, Street and Deinard regularly communicates new developments in the law and other issues relevant to dealerships. When a challenge does arise, our experienced trial attorneys stand ready to advocate for our dealer clients. 

Our Experience

Leonard, Street and Deinard attorneys serve motor vehicle dealers in areas such as the following:

• Succession planning (including structuring ownership, corporate planning, tax and estate planning)
• Motor vehicle franchise law
• Dealership sales and acquisitions
• Real estate transactions
• Federal and state regulatory matters, including environmental law, consumer protection matters, and antitrust, trade and business regulation
• Employment law matters
• Banking and financing
• Dispute resolution and litigation
• Compensation and benefits

Leonard, Street and Deinard attorneys serve as general outside counsel to a large number of motor vehicle dealers and have assisted an even greater number of dealership clients, both in Minnesota and other states, on specific legal matters where our skills and experience were needed. Those legal matters have included franchise negotiations and disputes with manufacturers (including litigation), buying and selling dealerships, business succession and tax planning, government regulation at the state and federal levels, and a variety of other matters.

Leonard, Street and Deinard represents many auto and truck dealerships, including:

• Amdahl Motors
• Astleford Equipment Company
• Billion Auto Group
• Brainerd Nissan
• Brandl Motors
• Burnsville Toyota
• Carlson Toyota
• Clusiau Automotive
• Duluth Dodge, Inc.
• Dodge of Burnsville, Inc.
• Dondelinger Motors, Inc.
• Hosmer Automotive, Inc.
• Jim Lupient Infiniti
• Lichtsinn Motors, Inc.
• Lupient Nissan
• Lyons Car Company
• Marthaler Automotive, Ltd.
• Miller Chevrolet, LLC
• Miller Enterprises-Miller Auto Center, Inc.
• Mills Auto Enterprises, Inc.
• Mills Motor, Inc.
• Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association
• Nereson Automotive, Inc.
• Rihm Motor Company
• River Valley Truck Centers
• Roseville Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.
• Ryan Automotive
• Schweiters Automotive Group
• Stillwater Motor Company
• Tanner Motors
• Thane Hawkins Polar Chevrolet, Inc.
• West Metro Buick- GMC, Inc.
• White Bear Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.
• Willmar Motors, LLC
• Wolff Motors Holdings, Inc.