Arent Fox Adds Skilled Litigation Partner to Nationally Recognized Automotive Practice

Los Angeles, CA — Arent Fox is pleased to announce that Halbert B. (Bert) Rasmussen has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office as a partner in its growing Automotive group and nationally recognized Complex Litigation practice. Mr. Rasmussen has extensive experience representing car, truck, bus, and motorcycle dealers on issues that range from managing regulatory compliance programs and negotiating dealer agreements, to mergers and acquisitions, and business, franchise, and consumer litigation. Mr. Rasmussen joins the Los Angeles office two weeks after the firm announced the addition of auto litigation partner Russell P. McRory to the New York office.

Mr. Rasmussen formerly was a partner at Manning, Leaver, Bruder & Berberich where he built a thriving practice as a skilled advisor and litigator who delivered critical wins for clients on matters involving franchise disputes, including terminations instituted by manufacturers; complex, multiparty litigation related to buy-sell agreements; and breach of contract issues. Mr. Rasmussen regularly uses his franchise and distribution law skills to meet client goals while avoiding litigation and maintaining harmonious relations with franchisors.

“The automotive industry is rife with challenges and opportunities. Bert’s extensive experience helping clients to navigate new regulations, expand their business, and deal effectively with all the issues dealerships have to face on a day-to-day basis will be a great resource,” said Automotive leader Aaron Jacoby. “He is a welcome addition to our growing practice.”

A prolific author on issues of importance to the dealer community, Mr. Rasmussen’s books — which have been published by the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) and the California New Car Dealers Association — include A Dealer Guide to the FTC Red Flags and Address Discrepancy Rule, The Franchise Law Manual, and significant portions of the F&I Compliance Manual and Dealer Management Guide. He also has been published in many dealer and professional publications.

Mr. Rasmussen obtained his bachelor’s degree from University of California Los Angeles, and graduated cum laude from Loyola Law School in 1982. Prior to entering private practice, he served as associate general counsel to a publicly traded international pharmaceutical company. He has received the AV® Peer-Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Arent Fox’s Automotive practice — recognized as a national leader by Chambers USA — provides the roadmap clients need to navigate an industry in flux. Noted as a firm that is “thinking outside the box,” Arent Fox lawyers vigorously prosecute litigation that cannot be avoided, engage in every form of transaction, and guide companies through the industry’s complex framework.