Sound legal direction keeps you on the road to success in the recreational vehicle world. At Baker & Daniels, our RV Focus practice understands your industry as well as your individual needs. From federal and state regulations to business strategies, we provide the legal counsel that helps you stay ahead of the competition.
Whether you run a seasoned company or are beginning a new venture, regulations present challenges. You need clear understanding and innovative solutions from experienced advisors to navigate the legal path for your business. With Baker & Daniels' law practice background in RV manufacturing, dealer relationships and business practices for organizations of all sizes, we understand your legal needs.
Patents, trademarks, dealer agreements and government regulations play important roles in your business success. Effective, practical solutions will protect and grow your business. Baker & Daniels serves all your needs in intellectual property, employment, regulatory, legislation, litigation, dealer relationships, international opportunities and other matters related to the RV industry. When it’s time to protect yourself, you need legal advisors like our professionals who represent only businesses like yours, not RV dealers or consumers.
Baker & Daniels' RV lawyers understand your legal challenges because we approach every relationship on an individual basis. By listening and learning from you, we provide practical solutions that help you reach your goals, whether it's in camping trailers, truck campers, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, motorhomes or conversion vehicles.
Through years of experience, Baker & Daniels professionals understand what works and doesn't work in your industry. When we represent you, our attention is focused only on you for quick responses and innovative solutions. We also look for efficient ways to avoid costly legal disputes. To keep our focus on the RV industry, Baker & Daniels maintains alliances with the trade associations and administrative agencies that set policy on RV manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and consumers. These alliances allow us to stay up-to-date on the issues affecting your business. Our range of services includes:
- Dealer agreements
- Supplier relationships
- Arbitration, mediation and litigation
- Defense of consumer claims (lemon law, product liability)
- Regulatory compliance
- Patents and trademarks
- Federal legislation and improved regulatory environment
- New business risks and growth
- International business practices
For many years, lawyers in our Elkhart office have counseled RV manufacturers throughout Elkhart County, the "RV Capital of the World." Today, our RV practice also includes legal professionals in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., delivering legal counsel to clients across the country – including California, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan – and in Canada. With two offices in China, we help you with importing components, too.
With Baker & Daniels, you benefit from the experience and depth of a law firm that serves clients in regional, national and international business and litigation matters. More than 350 lawyers and consulting professionals offer practical, results-oriented service to clients around the world. Since our beginning in 1863, Baker & Daniels has represented companies across all sectors of the economy. That heritage provides the backbone for the legal counsel provided by our RV Focus practice today. Manufacturers, suppliers and other RV organizations receive the legal help they need, knowing it comes from RV industry experience.
Services
Dealer Agreements
Strong dealer relationships begin with handshake deals, but you need more. You want smart programs and enforceable performance standards to enjoy stability and improve market share. RV Focus lawyers work with the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, industry leaders and state regulators to develop agreements and dealer legislation that work. We use this experience to establish effective agreements with your dealers. If ending a dealer relationship becomes necessary, we help you close it professionally, favorably and with reduced risk.
Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation
Resolving disputes isn’t always easy. You prefer prompt and fair resolution for everyone, with limited expense and exposure. We focus on quality client service, and we team with our clients to find efficient, cost-effective solutions to complex disputes. We help you decide on and implement strategies that will bring the best results based on your situation. With extensive experience in the RV industry, we know how to present your case effectively, whether before a mediator, arbitrator or judge. Our pre-suit audit and analysis service assesses the risk of potential litigation and the strength of your case. If litigation occurs, we implement communication strategies to get your story out to the marketplace and to protect and preserve your business.
Complying with Regulations
You’re in business to make a profit, not become a legal expert. However, federal and state laws affecting recalls in your business demand sharp attention and diligent compliance. RV Focus lawyers know how to guide you through recall programs, large and small. We help create efficient and cost-effective methods to conduct recalls. We’ll also help you structure recalls to allocate costs fairly among everyone involved, including suppliers and dealers.
Patents and Trademarks
Protecting your investment in product designs, innovations and brand names is critical in today’s competitive environment. You need solid patents and trademarks. Our lawyers understand how you build your RV products and how your products differ from others. Based on our extensive experience, we respond quickly to protect the inventions, designs and brand names that give you a competitive advantage.
Federal Legislation/Improved Regulatory Environment
Decisions made by Congress or federal agencies can affect your bottom line. We initiate advocacy, legislative or regulatory rules to help achieve your goals. Whether paving the way for a new proposal or resolving a crisis, we know how to improve your odds of success with legislative and regulatory decision makers.
New Business Risks and Growth
Most success stories in the RV industry begin with taking risks and venturing into new territory. To turn a fresh idea into a successful business, you need legal professionals who know how to launch a successful operation quickly. Our RV Focus lawyers set up critical financing systems, provide guidance in raising capital and assist you in developing a business plan for solid company growth. Our experience with businesses of all sizes enables us to counsel you in areas such as employee relations and benefits, construction, property development, business succession and taxation. Many of our most successful clients own family businesses, and we help your business pass from one generation to the next.
International Business Practices
Regardless of where you're based, you are part of a global economy. The challenges of importing and exporting can be intimidating, but RV Focus lawyers help you make sense of international opportunities. Through our five offices in Indiana, we connect you with foreign markets all the way to China, where we have lawyers in our Beijing office. Our presence in Washington, D.C., along with our breadth of international experience, also will help you establish foreign joint ventures, protect your intellectual property worldwide and comply with international trade and transportation regulations.