Jonathan is a business litigator who focuses his practice on disputes arising under state and federal motor vehicle franchise laws.
Jonathan’s experience in this area stems from his time in-house on secondment to a client during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. There, amidst unprecedented volatility in the automotive industry, Jonathan worked side-by-side with the business to navigate a series of complex legal challenges related to the client’s dealer network. Jonathan became deeply immersed in topics such as inventory supply and allocation formulas, sales policies and incentive programs, warranty reimbursements, audits, fraud investigations, facility branding and relocations, and dealer terminations.
Now, as outside counsel, Jonathan litigates cases across the country before administrative agencies, state trial courts, and federal district courts. Jonathan’s representative matters include defending manufacturers against dealers protesting unlawful terminations, contested add point establishments, and denied warranty reimbursement rates. Jonathan has also defended claims arising under the Robinson Patman Act and litigated claims on behalf of automotive franchisors against dealers for trademark infringement and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Jonathan continues to advise his clients on dealer network strategy as well, and helped launch an EV-only brand with a direct-to-consumer sales model in the United States.
Before practicing law, Jonathan served in the U.S. Navy as a Korean-to-English translator at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Oahu. As part of his pro bono practice, Jonathan has secured 100% permanent medical disability retirement benefits for multiple veterans appealing unfavorable determinations before the Army Board for Correction of Military Records and the Board for Correction of Naval Records.
Representative Matters
• KM3G, Inc. v. Kia America, Inc., California New Motor Vehicle Board.• SAG FL, LLC v. Kia America, Inc., U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida.
• Miami Lakes AM, LLC v. Kia America, Inc., Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.
• Orange Automotive, Inc. v. Kia America, Inc., Superior Court of California, Orange County.
• Kia America, Inc. v. DMO Auto Acquisitions, U.S. District Court, District for New Hampshire.