• Sales Representatives, Distributors, and Franchise Law - For the past thirty years, matters involving manufacturers' representatives, distributors and dealers, and franchises have been a major part of our practice. We are one of only a few firms in the nation with extensive experience in this specialized practice area. There are many new and untested statutes relating to business between manufacturers' representatives and distributors, and manufacturers. We have been the first to litigate several of those laws and have successfully handled cases that have resulted in significant legal decisions in this area of the law. We regularly represent distributors and manufacturers' representatives in hundreds of lawsuits involving wrongful termination, failure to pay commissions, contract disputes, and business torts such as contractual interference. We represent several national trade associations of distributors and sales representatives and regularly publish articles on legal and business issues affecting the their issues.
• Contracts - A substantial portion of our practice is devoted to giving our clients business advice concerning all aspects of their contract development. We review agreements and advise clients concerning negotiation strategies. Often, our clients ask us to negotiate contracts on their behalf, and we are consistently successful in negotiating contracts that protect our clients' interests and avoid problems in the future. We work with our clients, explaining the nuances of contractual language and aiding in negotiations to develop fair and complete agreements, that are less likely to result in future disputes. We hold firmly to the belief that our clients' resources are better spent gaining solid, fair contracts than in litigation down the road. We assist our corporate clients in the preparation of distribution contracts, employment agreements, non-competition agreements, and a variety of business contracts to help memorialize their transactions and eliminate potential problems.
• Litigation and Appeals - Our litigation practice involves representing clients in a wide variety of substantive areas of law, including contract disputes, personal injury, employment claims, commercial matters, franchising, securities, antitrust, and matters unique to sales agents and distributors. While many litigators seldom bring cases to trial, we regularly try cases and handle appeals and have the experience to handle cases efficiently while obtaining excellent results. We recognize the disruption litigation causes every client and actively work with our clients to minimize inconvenience, reduce costs, keep them informed of case developments, and settle cases as favorably as possible. Representative matters the firm has handled are described below.
  • We represented a publicly traded corporation and numerous smaller distribution companies in contract and antitrust claims against two Fortune 100 corporations. We successfully settled all the claims on terms extremely favorable to our clients.
  • We represented a sales agency in a commission dispute with a Fortune 500 corporation. After a brief trial, the jury awarded our client all the commissions sought and attorney fees, of more than $700,000. When the defendant appealed the verdict, we successfully represented our client on appeal to the state appellate and supreme courts, where the verdict was upheld in all respects.
  • We represented a distribution company challenging its termination by a major manufacturing corporation. After successfully defending against the manufacturer's motion for summary judgment, we reached an excellent settlement for our client.
  • We obtained two injunctions preventing major publicly traded corporations from terminating contracts with our clients.
  • We represented members of a trade association in an antitrust case against a prominent corporation. After successfully prosecuting numerous discovery motions, we reached a favorable settlement of the matter.
• Antitrust, Trade Regulation, and Noncompetition Agreements - Kramer & Kramer, LLP has handled and tried numerous antitrust cases. We advise clients, including trade associations, about antitrust and other laws involving unfair competition. We have extensive experience, both litigating and counseling clients about issues involving covenants not to compete and the protection of trade secrets and other business information.
• Business Law - We offer business advice that is founded on our legal expertise and practical knowledge of our clients' businesses. We work closely with our clients, assisting them in all aspects of their businesses. We draft, negotiate, and evaluate contracts including distribution, sales representative and franchise agreements, employment agreements, and noncompetition agreements. We also assist in the negotiation and documentation of transactions involving the purchase, sale, and merger of businesses. We assist clients in setting up businesses and establishing proper corporate practices and procedures. We are regularly asked to evaluate the propriety of contract terminations and often litigate disputes involving such terminations.
• Employment Law - Employment law covers a complex network of laws that controls how employers must treat employees, former employees, and applicants for employment. Our attorneys have significant experience in interpreting and construing state and Federal statutes and case law in areas such as employment discrimination, affirmative action, sexual harassment, employee benefits, whistleblower litigation, wrongful discharge, employment contracts, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Federal Employer's Liability Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and special laws governing municipal employment.
• Personal Injury - We represent individuals involved in controversies alleging a wrong or damage to another's person, rights, reputation, or property resulting from events or activities such as automobile accidents, defective products, infliction of emotional distress, intentional misconduct, and negligence.

Kramer & Kramer, LLP

1077 Rydal Road
Suite 100
Rydal, Pennsylvania 19046
Phone (215) 887-9030
Toll Free (800) 451-7466
Fax (215) 887-9240
E-mail: mkramer@kramerandkramer.com

24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
Lobby C
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
Telephone (734) 930-5452
Fax (734) 665-8788
E-mail: bkramer@kramerandkramer.com