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Marc Brandes represents automobile dealerships and automotive industry businesses in regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters. Much of his practice is devoted to helping dealer principals solve the legal and operational problems that arise in running a dealership.
Before entering private practice, Marc served as in-house corporate counsel for one of the country’s leading privately owned automobile dealership groups. That experience gives him a practical understanding of how dealerships actually operate—from sales and F&I to service, warranty administration, and regulatory compliance. As a result, his advice is grounded in the realities of dealership operations rather than purely academic legal theory.
Marc advises dealerships on a wide range of issues, including disputes with manufacturers, consumer claims, regulatory investigations, employment matters, and finance and insurance practices. He also represents dealers in litigation in state and federal courts when disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation.
A significant part of Marc’s practice involves helping clients obtain and maintain automobile dealer licenses and guiding dealerships through regulatory matters involving the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and other state authorities. He frequently assists entrepreneurs and dealer groups with the legal formation and licensing of new dealerships.
Marc also works with dealerships on the documentation that supports their daily operations, including vehicle sales and lease agreements, compliance procedures, employment policies, and internal risk-management practices designed to reduce exposure to regulatory and consumer claims.
He is a member of the National Association of Dealer Counsel and is active with the Florida Automobile Dealers Association, allowing him to stay closely connected to developments affecting the retail automotive industry.
Marc earned his B.A. from George Washington University and his J.D. from Ohio Northern University College of Law.
Practice Focus
Florida, 1990
Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, Ada, Ohio
Juris Doctorate - 1990
Honors: Dean's List
George Washington University
Bachelors Degree - 1986
Major: Political Science
Member, National Association of Dealer Counsel
Counsel, Florida Automobile Dealer’s Association
Zeta Beta Tau
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