If you work in any kind of field related to automotives, you probably need more than just a generalist lawyer or law firm.  Generalist lawyers can help you negotiate contracts, sort out employment issues, and assist with general corporate compliance.  However, that is likely to be only a portion of your need for legal advice and guidance. 

There are a variety of specialist law fields you will want to consider.  Know that lawyers with these specialties are not a dime a dozen.  It will be a huge help to use legal headhunters in your recruiting.  Before you start your search, you should be familiar with what these specialists do and what their ideal traits will look like. 

Check out these common issues associated with the diverse aspects of the automotive industry, as well as what to look for in a candidate.  They will help you find top lawyers in the automotive industry using a legal headhunter.

Trade Secrets

Improving automotive design and function is big business, whether it is through a physical component to a car or a new way for humans or machines to interact with the vehicle.  Companies spend enormous resources, financial and time-wise, developing these breakthroughs.  To see a return on that investment, companies need to protect their ideas. 

If you need help protecting your trade secrets, look for an attorney with experience in security and non-disclosure agreements.  It would probably help to find someone who understands vendor management and has a strong contract background, since the companies most likely to need access to some aspects of your secret information will be companies with whom you contract and subcontract.

Patents

A good patent attorney will start by helping you understand what parts of the items you create, or the systems you develop, are protectable under patent law.  Then, they can assist you in the arduous task of applying for, and defending, a patent application.  It is not a straightforward process.  In fact, it is so complex and requires such a high degree of knowledge, only lawyers with additional degrees in science or engineering are permitted to work as patent lawyers.  If you invented something amazing, look for a patent attorney that has worked with your type of invention before, down to the physical materials used to make the product.

Trademarks

The automotive industry is competitive and not easy to break into.  Once your business has established a foothold, make sure to protect your brand. Similar to patents, bringing a trademark attorney in on the process as early as possible will be a huge benefit to the likelihood that your design or logo will qualify for trademark coverage.  Make sure that your candidate has extensive experience conducting trademark searches.  Trademark law is an art in its own right.

Copyright

Photographing automobiles may not be the first thing you think of when you think of the automotive industry, but marketing and industry discussion about vehicles is integral to the auto trade. Original photographs and writing are entitled to copyright protection.  Manufacturers may not mind having photos shared widely without attribution, but the artists who make their living creating the photos need to protect their work. 

Look for an intellectual property lawyer who can think globally.  Social media has made it too easy for works to be used across borders, without paying appropriate license costs.

Sponsorships

When negotiating sponsorships, such as for cross-branding non-automotive goods with automotive goods, your attorney will start with a strong contract.  Since sponsorships are different from other contracts, in that it’s more like a marriage than a purchase, you need an attorney who understands relationships.  Also, since both parties are relying on each other’s positive public image, your lawyer should be comfortable talking about all the worst-case scenarios possible. 

Exports

Anything big or important in the car world will most likely cross international borders.  No automobiles are built from parts made entirely within a single country’s border.  From the raw materials, to the components, to the cars themselves, there is a constant flow of automotive goods around the world.  Importing and exporting goods requires compliance with international trade laws. 

When searching for a lawyer to assist your international trade, look for professionals with experience in customs regulations, sanctions, export control, and bonding.