United States Fourth Circuit

Virginia's motorcycle dealer franchise law, which allows any existing franchised dealer in Virginia to protest the establishment of a new dealership for the same brand, unduly burdens interstate commerce in violation of the dormant Commerce Clause.

Appellate Information

• Decided 03/18/2005
• Published 03/18/2005

Judges

• Before LUTTIG and MICHAEL, Circuit Judges, and Bobby R. BALDOCK, Senior Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, sitting by designation.

Court

• United States Fourth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:David Paul Murray, Willkie, Farr & Gallagher, Washington, D.C., for Appellant.  Maureen Riley Matsen, Deputy State Solicitor, Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, for Appellees. ON BRIEF: Robert M. Tyler, McGuirewoods, L.L.P., Richmond, Virginia, for Appellant.  Jerry W. Kilgore, Attorney General of Virginia, William H. Hurd, State Solicitor, William E. Thro, Deputy State Solicitor, Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, for Appellee Smit;  Walter A. Marston, Reed Smith, L.L.P., Richmond, Virginia;  George E. Kostel, Reed Smith, L.L.P., Falls Church, Virginia, for Appellee Jim's Motorcycle, Inc.   Nicholas T. Christakos, James J. Briody, Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P., Washington, D.C., for Amicus Curiae.