William F.Benson
Senior Counsel
Commercial Litigation
wbenson@seyfarth.com
Bill finds creative ways to enforce contractual and statutory rights in complex commercial disputes, and defends clients from market representation challenges.
More About Bill
In the motor vehicle industry, manufacturers must balance their desire for market representation and promotion of brand image with state dealer laws that restrict their ability to establish, relocate, and terminate dealers. And as the industry continues to develop technology for autonomous vehicles, manufacturers have the opportunity to introduce this new technology and mode of transportation to consumers, but at the same time, must comply with federal and state laws. Bill helps clients by providing counsel on market representation issues and guidance on how to structure programs and initiatives to comply with state dealer laws.
Bill has litigated disputes for motor vehicle manufacturers involving the establishment, relocation, and termination of dealerships in courts throughout the United States and before administrative agencies. He has also successfully litigated disputes involving exclusive use agreements, rights of first refusal, incentive programs, and warranty reimbursement.
For more than two decades, Bill has focused his practice on litigating complex commercial and franchise disputes. He has also provided guidance on bills introduced in numerous states and the impact that legislation will have on motor vehicle manufacturers. Bill's familiarity with state dealer laws and how courts and administrative agencies have interpreted those laws allows him to counsel clients on their existing and proposed programs and market initiatives.
Bill aims to deliver services and provide guidance on business options and legal risks that clients may not have fully appreciated. He tailors how he delivers those services to the needs of his clients, which allows for increased efficiency that will enable clients to make informed business decisions.
Bill enjoys applying his legal skill to an industry with developing technology and increasing competition. He also enjoys working with other Seyfarth attorneys, who work creatively to counsel clients on their challenges.
Bill has litigated disputes for motor vehicle manufacturers involving the establishment, relocation, and termination of dealerships in courts throughout the United States and before administrative agencies. He has also successfully litigated disputes involving exclusive use agreements, rights of first refusal, incentive programs, and warranty reimbursement.
For more than two decades, Bill has focused his practice on litigating complex commercial and franchise disputes. He has also provided guidance on bills introduced in numerous states and the impact that legislation will have on motor vehicle manufacturers. Bill's familiarity with state dealer laws and how courts and administrative agencies have interpreted those laws allows him to counsel clients on their existing and proposed programs and market initiatives.
Bill aims to deliver services and provide guidance on business options and legal risks that clients may not have fully appreciated. He tailors how he delivers those services to the needs of his clients, which allows for increased efficiency that will enable clients to make informed business decisions.
Bill enjoys applying his legal skill to an industry with developing technology and increasing competition. He also enjoys working with other Seyfarth attorneys, who work creatively to counsel clients on their challenges.
- JD, Georgetown University Law Center
- MAT, Union College
- BA, Tufts University
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Massachusetts Appeals Court
Related Services
Related Key Industries
- Represented large manufacturing client in contract dispute with former distributor. After the trial court granted injunctive relief, the case was resolved on favorable terms.
- Represented automotive manufacturer in dispute involving an exclusive use agreement, which was litigated in several forums. After receiving severable favorable rulings, the dealer agreed to make a monetary payment to our client and agreed to an extension of the exclusive use agreement.
- Represented automotive manufacturer in breach of warranty dispute involving alleged vehicle defect. Obtained summary judgment in favor of client on all claims.
- Represented numerous automotive clients in disputes involving allocation, warranty reimbursement, and the establishment, relocation, transfer, and termination of dealerships.
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Jul 22, 2024
Texas Motor Vehicle Regulation Advisory Committee Rejects Attempt by Texas Dealer Association to Overhaul Vehicle Allocation System
-
Webinar
Jan 11, 2023
Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2022: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments
-
Legal Update
Jan 3, 2023
Court Rules that Rivian and Lucid May Sell Vehicles Direct to Consumers in Illinois
-
Legal Update
May 17, 2022
Direct Sale Of Electric Vehicles Continues To Follow Tortured Path With Recent Legislative Developments
- Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers for Business Litigation (Thomson Reuters) (2013-2022)
- Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Business Litigation (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2011)
- Boston Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Texas Motor Vehicle Regulation Advisory Committee Rejects Attempt by Texas Dealer Association to Overhaul Vehicle Allocation System," Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 22, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Court Rules that Rivian and Lucid May Sell Vehicles Direct to Consumers in Illinois," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 3, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Direct Sale Of Electric Vehicles Continues To Follow Tortured Path With Recent Legislative Developments," Legal Update: Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2022)
- Co-Author, "States Adopt Changes To Warranty Reimbursement Laws In First Half of 2021," Legal Update: Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 20, 2021)
- Co-Author, "California Adopts Major Changes to Warranty Reimbursement Requirements Effective January 1, 2020," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 21, 2019)
- Author, “New Sheriffs In Town—President Trump’s Antitrust Picks,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 30, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2022: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 11, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2021: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2020: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 15, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage: Highlighting Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments in 2019," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2019)
Bill finds creative ways to enforce contractual and statutory rights in complex commercial disputes, and defends clients from market representation challenges.
More About Bill
In the motor vehicle industry, manufacturers must balance their desire for market representation and promotion of brand image with state dealer laws that restrict their ability to establish, relocate, and terminate dealers. And as the industry continues to develop technology for autonomous vehicles, manufacturers have the opportunity to introduce this new technology and mode of transportation to consumers, but at the same time, must comply with federal and state laws. Bill helps clients by providing counsel on market representation issues and guidance on how to structure programs and initiatives to comply with state dealer laws.
Bill has litigated disputes for motor vehicle manufacturers involving the establishment, relocation, and termination of dealerships in courts throughout the United States and before administrative agencies. He has also successfully litigated disputes involving exclusive use agreements, rights of first refusal, incentive programs, and warranty reimbursement.
For more than two decades, Bill has focused his practice on litigating complex commercial and franchise disputes. He has also provided guidance on bills introduced in numerous states and the impact that legislation will have on motor vehicle manufacturers. Bill's familiarity with state dealer laws and how courts and administrative agencies have interpreted those laws allows him to counsel clients on their existing and proposed programs and market initiatives.
Bill aims to deliver services and provide guidance on business options and legal risks that clients may not have fully appreciated. He tailors how he delivers those services to the needs of his clients, which allows for increased efficiency that will enable clients to make informed business decisions.
Bill enjoys applying his legal skill to an industry with developing technology and increasing competition. He also enjoys working with other Seyfarth attorneys, who work creatively to counsel clients on their challenges.
Bill has litigated disputes for motor vehicle manufacturers involving the establishment, relocation, and termination of dealerships in courts throughout the United States and before administrative agencies. He has also successfully litigated disputes involving exclusive use agreements, rights of first refusal, incentive programs, and warranty reimbursement.
For more than two decades, Bill has focused his practice on litigating complex commercial and franchise disputes. He has also provided guidance on bills introduced in numerous states and the impact that legislation will have on motor vehicle manufacturers. Bill's familiarity with state dealer laws and how courts and administrative agencies have interpreted those laws allows him to counsel clients on their existing and proposed programs and market initiatives.
Bill aims to deliver services and provide guidance on business options and legal risks that clients may not have fully appreciated. He tailors how he delivers those services to the needs of his clients, which allows for increased efficiency that will enable clients to make informed business decisions.
Bill enjoys applying his legal skill to an industry with developing technology and increasing competition. He also enjoys working with other Seyfarth attorneys, who work creatively to counsel clients on their challenges.
- JD, Georgetown University Law Center
- MAT, Union College
- BA, Tufts University
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Massachusetts Appeals Court
Related Services
Related Key Industries
- Represented large manufacturing client in contract dispute with former distributor. After the trial court granted injunctive relief, the case was resolved on favorable terms.
- Represented automotive manufacturer in dispute involving an exclusive use agreement, which was litigated in several forums. After receiving severable favorable rulings, the dealer agreed to make a monetary payment to our client and agreed to an extension of the exclusive use agreement.
- Represented automotive manufacturer in breach of warranty dispute involving alleged vehicle defect. Obtained summary judgment in favor of client on all claims.
- Represented numerous automotive clients in disputes involving allocation, warranty reimbursement, and the establishment, relocation, transfer, and termination of dealerships.
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Jul 22, 2024
Texas Motor Vehicle Regulation Advisory Committee Rejects Attempt by Texas Dealer Association to Overhaul Vehicle Allocation System
-
Webinar
Jan 11, 2023
Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2022: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments
-
Legal Update
Jan 3, 2023
Court Rules that Rivian and Lucid May Sell Vehicles Direct to Consumers in Illinois
-
Legal Update
May 17, 2022
Direct Sale Of Electric Vehicles Continues To Follow Tortured Path With Recent Legislative Developments
- Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers for Business Litigation (Thomson Reuters) (2013-2022)
- Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Business Litigation (Thomson Reuters) (2009-2011)
- Boston Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Texas Motor Vehicle Regulation Advisory Committee Rejects Attempt by Texas Dealer Association to Overhaul Vehicle Allocation System," Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 22, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Court Rules that Rivian and Lucid May Sell Vehicles Direct to Consumers in Illinois," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 3, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Direct Sale Of Electric Vehicles Continues To Follow Tortured Path With Recent Legislative Developments," Legal Update: Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2022)
- Co-Author, "States Adopt Changes To Warranty Reimbursement Laws In First Half of 2021," Legal Update: Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 20, 2021)
- Co-Author, "California Adopts Major Changes to Warranty Reimbursement Requirements Effective January 1, 2020," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 21, 2019)
- Author, “New Sheriffs In Town—President Trump’s Antitrust Picks,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 30, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2022: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 11, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2021: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage of 2020: Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 15, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage: Highlighting Significant Motor Vehicle Franchise Decisions and Developments in 2019," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2019)