California Auto Dealership Defense Lawyers
Last updated on December 23, 2025
From our offices in Irvine and Westlake Village, Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP provides highly experienced counsel and representation to auto dealers throughout Southern California. We have obtained outstanding results for our dealer clients in dealer vs. manufacturer and dealer vs. dealer litigation. We are also recognized for our successes before the New Motor Vehicle Board (NMVB) in dealer relocations, add points and termination protests.
Our attorneys are the only ones in California to win multiple jury trials against manufacturers, awarding multimillion-dollar verdicts for our dealer clients. These include a $3.1 million jury verdict against Nissan and a $5.4 million jury verdict against AM General (Hummer).
We also act in a transactional advisory role on behalf of dealerships across the state, helping clients buy and sell dealerships and dealership real estate. The vast majority of our practice within auto dealership law and car dealer defense is composed of representing clients in the following matters:
- Add point protests
- Dealer vs. dealer litigation
- Dealership buy-sell transactions
- Dealership employment law issues
- Dealership real estate transactions
- Executive compensation programs
- Facility improvement requests
- Manufacturer and dealer disputes
- Relocation protests
- Termination protests
Learn more about our attorneys’ impeccable results in dealership jury trials and NMVB hearings, or read testimonials from a few of our satisfied auto dealer clients.
Providing Strategic Defense To Dealers Facing Consumer Claims
Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP also provides strategic consumer defense in matters related to California’s “Lemon Law,” Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) claims, the “single document” rule under the Automobile Sales Finance Act (AFSA), the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and other car dealership laws and regulations.
If you have a legal concern related to the purchase, sale or lease of a vehicle from an auto dealership in California, do not hesitate to consult our Orange County law firm. Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP‘s lawyers stand ready to advocate for you.
Serving Dealerships Across Southern California
While our firm is based in Irvine and Westlake Village, our attorneys have a long history of representing auto dealers in legal matters across the region, including:
- Los Angeles
- Orange County
- Ventura County
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
Frequently Asked Questions For California Auto Dealers
Below are answers to common legal questions we receive from dealership owners and operators across California.
What is the “single document rule,” and how does it affect my dealership?
The “single document rule” under the Automobile Sales Finance Act generally requires all required sales and finance terms to appear in one complete contract. Errors or inconsistent paperwork can expose dealerships to consumer claims, even when unintentional.
How can our dealership defend against a California Lemon Law claim?
Lemon Law defenses often focus on repair history, warranty coverage, consumer use and compliance with notice requirements. Early legal review can help limit exposure and resolve claims efficiently.
What are the most common legal mistakes dealers make in buy-sell transactions?
Common issues include incomplete due diligence, manufacturer approval delays, unclear liability allocation and poorly structured purchase agreements. Experienced dealership counsel helps prevent costly post-closing disputes.
Contact Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP
To arrange a consultation about any facet of auto dealership law, call 888-714-1738 or contact Burkhalter Kessler Clement & George LLP‘s Irvine or Westlake Village offices online. We take pride in our level of service and commitment to personalized representation.