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Robert A. Poklar was raised in an automobile family. His father was a Chevrolet dealer for many years. Naturally, Bob worked at the dealership. He started as a porter/janitor and worked his way through every department, from service, parts, and sales to management. He further attended the Chevrolet Division of General Motors’ School of Merchandising and Management for Dealer Candidates.
After the death of his father, Bob purchased the business from the family and continued to operate it until 1981 when he sold it. Bob already had his law degree and was licensed to practice law. Reflecting on his frustration with the lack of expert legal counsel in the automotive field representing dealers, he decided to open a law practice primarily focused on representing automobile, recreational vehicle, motorcycle and boat dealers.
Since 1982, Bob has built his practice on this concept. Bob has been involved in literally thousands of consumer lawsuits and disputes on behalf of dealers. He has represented dealers in hundreds of trials, arbitrations and mediations. Bob's reputation has earned him the highest rating provided by Martindale-Hubbell for attorneys and law firms -- an AV rating.
Bob not only defends dealerships and dealers, he has extensive experience in representing dealers’ interests involving franchisor-franchisee law including, but not limited to, disputes with manufacturers regarding franchise terminations, dealer relocations, warranty audits, and manufacturers’ attempts to establish a new franchise in a market. Bob also has extensive experience representing the interests of dealers against financial institutions including, but not limited to, floor plan financing, out of trust situations and working capital issues.
In addition, Bob has extensive experience in negotiating and managing all aspects of buying and selling retail and wholesale businesses. These areas include real estate, negotiating financing terms/agreements and floor plan financing. Bob also drafts the necessary documents and agreements.
In an effort to help dealers curb litigation and the associated costs, he developed and managed a legal services program for approximately 270 new car and RV dealers. The program was very successful and significantly reduced the amount of litigation being filed against the dealers. When Bob asked a primary consumer attorney who represents plaintiffs why his firm had reduced the amount of litigation filed, the response was surprising and satisfactory. He stated that, by the time Robert A. Poklar & Associates, LLP put up its well-coordinated and aggressive defense, it was not economically feasible to continue.
Since 1982, Bob has published the monthly newsletter entitled "You Auto Know" which discusses current legal topics. Further, he has developed and presented numerous seminars regarding federal and state regulatory compliance regarding automobile, motorcycle, RV, boat sales and service, Internet sales compliance, Truth-in-Lending and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Bob was also an instructor for the National Automobile Dealers Association Salesperson Certification Program for Ohio. Bob has also acted as an expert on numerous occasions regarding the above mentioned topics.
Bob is also certified as a Mediator through the Institute for Conflict Management and is a member of the panel of Mediators in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Bob is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and The Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
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