Jonathan M. Estuart
Associate
Jonathan Estuart is an associate in the firm’s Houston office and is a member of the Commercial Litigation practice.
Jonathan began at Foley as a summer associate, clerking during his first two years of law school. He also interned with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in Houston, Texas. Prior to law school, he worked as a senior supply chain consultant and manager for international technology companies in Europe and Asia.
Fifth Circuit Broadens Texas Dealers Act
he Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has opened the door to a broad interpretation of the Texas Fair Practices of Equipment Manufacturing, Distributors, Wholesalers, and Dealers Act (the “Dealers Act”), finding “equipment” under the statute was expansive enough to cover life rafts. The holding in Fire Protection Service, Inc. v. Survitec Survival Products, Inc., No. 24-20405, 2025 WL 2416451 (5th Cir. Aug. 21, 2025) underscores the Texas Legislature’s “unmistakable intent to craft a broad statute” designed to counteract suppliers’ superior bargaining power.
Controlling Entities to Dealer Contracts Subject to Puerto Rico’s Law 75 May Be Liable for Tortious Interference
Plaintiffs asserting claims for tortious interference of contracts covered by Puerto Rico’s Dealer’s Contracts Act, commonly known as Law 75, may automatically satisfy one element of such a claim. Law 75 regulates relationships between distributors and manufacturers.
Suppliers May Change Material Terms in Dealer Agreements at Renewal
A supplier may be able to change the terms of a dealer agreement upon renewal under the Alabama Tractor, Lawn and Garden and Light Industrial Equipment Franchise Act.
New Requirements for Franchise Brokers in California
On September 24, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 919, amending California’s Franchise Investment Law to regulate franchise brokers and franchise sales organizations.