Rich Otera

Rich serves as the Torrance office managing partner and is a nationally recognized authority in franchise and distribution law and litigation. He has counseled clients for over 20 years in all aspects of the motor vehicle industry in the U.S., including manufacturers and distributors of automobiles, powersports products, farm and construction equipment, marine products, airplanes, and other types of motor vehicles. From 2001 to 2015, Rich worked at the U.S. headquarters of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., as the primary in-house lawyer responsible for dealer franchise and other commercial legal issues for the Honda and Acura auto divisions nationwide. In that capacity, Rich focused on franchise law; antitrust law; negotiation and documentation of development agreements, supply agreements, strategic commercial agreements, joint ventures and other contracts; digital media transactions; management of complex commercial litigation, including nationwide class actions; and counseling executive management on day-to-day business operations. Rich also provided legal support on franchise and distribution issues to American Honda’s powersports, power equipment, and marine divisions.