Petroleum Marketing

For over 30 years Shipman lawyers have represented major oil companies and regional franchisors throughout the Eastern United States in all aspects of petroleum marketing counseling and litigation. We have extensive experience with both the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act ("PMPA") and state franchise statutes, as well as disputes involving antitrust, trademark, dealer termination, pricing, rent, breach of contract, unfair trade practices, terminalling and exchange agreements, transfers/assignments, comingling, and cross-hauling claims. We have also represented suppliers and franchisors in investigations by state attorneys general and state agencies.

We have litigated cases in state and federal trial courts in New England, New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina, and in the First and Second Circuit Courts of Appeal. We also represented Shell and Motiva in the only PMPA case to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition, we regularly advise clients regarding the laws and regulations that might apply to their operations in dozens of states, such as price gouging, licensing, promotions and giveaways, registration, signage, and security deposits.

The members of our Petroleum Marketing Practice Group are frequent speakers at Petroleum Marketing Attorneys meetings and regularly publish Petroleum Marketing Alerts that analyze recent cases and developments in the law.