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Christopher C. Genovese
Partner
Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
chris.genovese@nelsonmullins.com
Chris practices primarily in the area of dealer/distributor/franchise litigation and counseling, false advertising litigation, complex commercial litigation, and the defense of consumer class actions. His experience in representing motor vehicle manufacturers focuses on litigating issues that arise from the distributor/dealer relationship and counseling distributors on issues relating to their nationwide sales and distribution networks.
Chris practices primarily in the area of dealer/distributor/franchise litigation and counseling, false advertising litigation, complex commercial litigation, and the defense of consumer class actions. His experience in representing motor vehicle manufacturers focuses on litigating issues that arise from the distributor/dealer relationship and counseling distributors on issues relating to their nationwide sales and distribution networks.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
- Has assisted new motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors with add points, relocations, terminations, post-termination obligations, dealer advertising, sales incentives, allocations systems, dealer exporting, and other dealer franchise issues
- Has counseled and assisted numerous OEM clients on developing, implementing, and expanding their pilot vehicle subscription programs
- Represented clients in complex business/distribution cases and class actions throughout the country to include cases in state and/or federal courts, or before administrative agencies or arbitration panels in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
- Litigation experience has involved diverse businesses including coatings and paint companies, consumer product manufacturers, automotive manufacturers and distributors, the hospitality industry, national product suppliers, quick service restaurants, international chemical manufacturers and distributors, and manufacturers of heavy construction equipment
- Has advised clients with respect to franchise and distribution laws and other complex business litigation matters
- Has conducted in-house training sessions for clients addressing a variety of franchise and distribution issues
- Has been a speaker before the National Association of Motor Vehicle Boards and Commissions
- Guest lecturer for the University of South Carolina School of Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism and Management
Representative Cases
- National counsel for a new motor vehicle manufacturer, tasked with implementing and managing a large-scale consumer vehicle buy-back settlement, involving a myriad of legal issues including, regulatory compliance, automotive dealer franchise law compliance, as well as vetting and engaging numerous third party vendors.
- In a case of first impression, successfully obtained a reversal by the Georgia Court of Appeals that declared and strengthened an automotive manufacturer’s right of first refusal in the state of Georgia.
- Advised a new motor vehicle manufacturer of all electric vehicles on the establishment of its alternative retail distribution model including the development of business model strategy, negotiations with state industry regulators nationwide, creating a plan to defend against litigation challenging the manufacturer’s model, and legislative efforts.
- Successfully defended a motor vehicle franchisor in a 10 day administrative protest proceeding and subsequent appeal challenging the establishment of a new motor vehicle dealership in South Florida.
- Represented national consumer product manufacturer in defending and pursuing deceptive advertising claim against competitor in Massachusetts Federal Court
- Obtained a preliminary injunction in the Northern District of Alabama for an industrial coatings manufacturer, enjoining a former distributor from violating the terms of its non-competition agreement
- Represented two national consumer products manufacturers in separate putative class actions (alleged breach of express warranty based on alleged misrepresentations) filed in Alabama Federal Court
- Obtained dismissals of putative nationwide false advertising class actions in California, Florida and Arkansas against an automotive manufacturer
- Represented national consumer product manufacturer located in Michigan in pursuing deceptive advertising claim against competitor before the National Advertising Division ('NAD') of the Better Business Bureau in New York, New York
- Defended national consumer product manufacturer in Lanham Act injunction action in Michigan Federal Court
- Defended international coatings manufacturer against a former distributor (alleged breach of Puerto Rico's distribution laws) in the District Court of Puerto Rico
- Defended a chemical coatings manufacturer in a lawsuit involving allegations of price fixing and unfair District Court of New Jersey
- Obtained dismissal of breach of warranty/fraud case brought against manufacturer of heavy construction equipment in South Carolina
Previous Professional Experience
- Served as clinical counselor for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health
- Managed a multimillion-dollar franchise operation prior to attending law school
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD,
cum laude
(2004)
- Received CALI Awards for Advanced Civil Procedure and Appellate Advocacy
- Member of the Order of Wig and Robe
- Associate editor in chief, ABA Real Property, Probate and Trust Journal
- College of Charleston, BS, Psychology, magna cum laude (1993)
- University of New South Wales, Australia, Exchange Student
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Practice Areas
Industries
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
- Has assisted new motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors with add points, relocations, terminations, post-termination obligations, dealer advertising, sales incentives, allocations systems, dealer exporting, and other dealer franchise issues
- Has counseled and assisted numerous OEM clients on developing, implementing, and expanding their pilot vehicle subscription programs
- Represented clients in complex business/distribution cases and class actions throughout the country to include cases in state and/or federal courts, or before administrative agencies or arbitration panels in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
- Litigation experience has involved diverse businesses including coatings and paint companies, consumer product manufacturers, automotive manufacturers and distributors, the hospitality industry, national product suppliers, quick service restaurants, international chemical manufacturers and distributors, and manufacturers of heavy construction equipment
- Has advised clients with respect to franchise and distribution laws and other complex business litigation matters
- Has conducted in-house training sessions for clients addressing a variety of franchise and distribution issues
- Has been a speaker before the National Association of Motor Vehicle Boards and Commissions
- Guest lecturer for the University of South Carolina School of Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism and Management
Representative Cases
- National counsel for a new motor vehicle manufacturer, tasked with implementing and managing a large-scale consumer vehicle buy-back settlement, involving a myriad of legal issues including, regulatory compliance, automotive dealer franchise law compliance, as well as vetting and engaging numerous third party vendors.
- In a case of first impression, successfully obtained a reversal by the Georgia Court of Appeals that declared and strengthened an automotive manufacturer’s right of first refusal in the state of Georgia.
- Advised a new motor vehicle manufacturer of all electric vehicles on the establishment of its alternative retail distribution model including the development of business model strategy, negotiations with state industry regulators nationwide, creating a plan to defend against litigation challenging the manufacturer’s model, and legislative efforts.
- Successfully defended a motor vehicle franchisor in a 10 day administrative protest proceeding and subsequent appeal challenging the establishment of a new motor vehicle dealership in South Florida.
- Represented national consumer product manufacturer in defending and pursuing deceptive advertising claim against competitor in Massachusetts Federal Court
- Obtained a preliminary injunction in the Northern District of Alabama for an industrial coatings manufacturer, enjoining a former distributor from violating the terms of its non-competition agreement
- Represented two national consumer products manufacturers in separate putative class actions (alleged breach of express warranty based on alleged misrepresentations) filed in Alabama Federal Court
- Obtained dismissals of putative nationwide false advertising class actions in California, Florida and Arkansas against an automotive manufacturer
- Represented national consumer product manufacturer located in Michigan in pursuing deceptive advertising claim against competitor before the National Advertising Division ('NAD') of the Better Business Bureau in New York, New York
- Defended national consumer product manufacturer in Lanham Act injunction action in Michigan Federal Court
- Defended international coatings manufacturer against a former distributor (alleged breach of Puerto Rico's distribution laws) in the District Court of Puerto Rico
- Defended a chemical coatings manufacturer in a lawsuit involving allegations of price fixing and unfair District Court of New Jersey
- Obtained dismissal of breach of warranty/fraud case brought against manufacturer of heavy construction equipment in South Carolina
Previous Professional Experience
- Served as clinical counselor for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health
- Managed a multimillion-dollar franchise operation prior to attending law school
Media
Recognitions
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2021)
- South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year (2010)
Professional Activities
- South Carolina Bar
- International Franchise Association (IFA)
- ALFA International
- DRI Commercial Litigation
- ABA Forum on Franchising
Community
- Leads the Firm’s Conservatorship/Guardianship Pro-Bono Program, in which he recruits, trains, and mentors a team of attorneys who provide pro bono representation to assist families in establishing conservatorships/guardianships for their special needs children or vulnerable adults
- Past member of the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), which approves, monitors, and reviews biomedical and behavioral research involving US veterans with the aim to protect the rights and welfare of these patients
Chris practices primarily in the area of dealer/distributor/franchise litigation and counseling, false advertising litigation, complex commercial litigation, and the defense of consumer class actions. His experience in representing motor vehicle manufacturers focuses on litigating issues that arise from the distributor/dealer relationship and counseling distributors on issues relating to their nationwide sales and distribution networks.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Experience
- Has assisted new motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors with add points, relocations, terminations, post-termination obligations, dealer advertising, sales incentives, allocations systems, dealer exporting, and other dealer franchise issues
- Has counseled and assisted numerous OEM clients on developing, implementing, and expanding their pilot vehicle subscription programs
- Represented clients in complex business/distribution cases and class actions throughout the country to include cases in state and/or federal courts, or before administrative agencies or arbitration panels in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
- Litigation experience has involved diverse businesses including coatings and paint companies, consumer product manufacturers, automotive manufacturers and distributors, the hospitality industry, national product suppliers, quick service restaurants, international chemical manufacturers and distributors, and manufacturers of heavy construction equipment
- Has advised clients with respect to franchise and distribution laws and other complex business litigation matters
- Has conducted in-house training sessions for clients addressing a variety of franchise and distribution issues
- Has been a speaker before the National Association of Motor Vehicle Boards and Commissions
- Guest lecturer for the University of South Carolina School of Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism and Management
Representative Cases
- National counsel for a new motor vehicle manufacturer, tasked with implementing and managing a large-scale consumer vehicle buy-back settlement, involving a myriad of legal issues including, regulatory compliance, automotive dealer franchise law compliance, as well as vetting and engaging numerous third party vendors.
- In a case of first impression, successfully obtained a reversal by the Georgia Court of Appeals that declared and strengthened an automotive manufacturer’s right of first refusal in the state of Georgia.
- Advised a new motor vehicle manufacturer of all electric vehicles on the establishment of its alternative retail distribution model including the development of business model strategy, negotiations with state industry regulators nationwide, creating a plan to defend against litigation challenging the manufacturer’s model, and legislative efforts.
- Successfully defended a motor vehicle franchisor in a 10 day administrative protest proceeding and subsequent appeal challenging the establishment of a new motor vehicle dealership in South Florida.
- Represented national consumer product manufacturer in defending and pursuing deceptive advertising claim against competitor in Massachusetts Federal Court
- Obtained a preliminary injunction in the Northern District of Alabama for an industrial coatings manufacturer, enjoining a former distributor from violating the terms of its non-competition agreement
- Represented two national consumer products manufacturers in separate putative class actions (alleged breach of express warranty based on alleged misrepresentations) filed in Alabama Federal Court
- Obtained dismissals of putative nationwide false advertising class actions in California, Florida and Arkansas against an automotive manufacturer
- Represented national consumer product manufacturer located in Michigan in pursuing deceptive advertising claim against competitor before the National Advertising Division ('NAD') of the Better Business Bureau in New York, New York
- Defended national consumer product manufacturer in Lanham Act injunction action in Michigan Federal Court
- Defended international coatings manufacturer against a former distributor (alleged breach of Puerto Rico's distribution laws) in the District Court of Puerto Rico
- Defended a chemical coatings manufacturer in a lawsuit involving allegations of price fixing and unfair District Court of New Jersey
- Obtained dismissal of breach of warranty/fraud case brought against manufacturer of heavy construction equipment in South Carolina
Previous Professional Experience
- Served as clinical counselor for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health
- Managed a multimillion-dollar franchise operation prior to attending law school
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD,
cum laude
(2004)
- Received CALI Awards for Advanced Civil Procedure and Appellate Advocacy
- Member of the Order of Wig and Robe
- Associate editor in chief, ABA Real Property, Probate and Trust Journal
- College of Charleston, BS, Psychology, magna cum laude (1993)
- University of New South Wales, Australia, Exchange Student
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Practice Areas
- Class Action & Multi-Claim Litigation
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- False Advertising & Unfair Trade Practices
- Franchise & Distribution - Litigation
Industries
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2021)
- South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year (2010)
- South Carolina Bar
- International Franchise Association (IFA)
- ALFA International
- DRI Commercial Litigation
- ABA Forum on Franchising
- Leads the Firm’s Conservatorship/Guardianship Pro-Bono Program, in which he recruits, trains, and mentors a team of attorneys who provide pro bono representation to assist families in establishing conservatorships/guardianships for their special needs children or vulnerable adults
- Past member of the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), which approves, monitors, and reviews biomedical and behavioral research involving US veterans with the aim to protect the rights and welfare of these patients
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