Roberta (Bobbi) Howell helps manufacturers achieve their business goals while minimizing legal risk within an ever-changing regulatory environment.

A partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP, Bobbi’s practice focuses on product distribution-related matters, including litigation and counseling in connection with dealership terminations; drafting dealer, distributor, franchise and agency agreements; drafting franchise disclosure documents and counseling clients on compliance with the regulatory requirements of franchising; compliance with state and federal dealer protection statutes; reseller policies; warranties; antitrust and pricing matters; trade secret misappropriation and noncompetition contracts; and automobile dealer/manufacturer relationships and licensing. She also assists manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) and nontraditional automotive products in setting up new distribution channels. She is former co-chair of the Distribution & Franchise Practice, as well as a member of the Antitrust & Competition and Trade Secret Noncompete Practices, and the Manufacturing and Automotive Industry Sectors.

Bobbi’s experience also includes general business litigation, closely held corporation/limited liability company shareholder disputes, eminent domain actions, constitutional litigation, and class action defense.

For 15 years, Bobbi chaired the firm’s annual Law of Product Distribution and Franchise Seminar, where she is a regular speaker, and she has co-presented the International Franchise Association’s Judicial Update at its Annual Legal Symposium. Bobbi has published several articles on product distribution law.