Members of the Tire Industry Association are now able to obtain legal advice through a partnership formed with Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, the nation’s third-largest labor and employment law firm.

The member services benefit includes the ability to contact Ogletree Deakins for a free one-hour initial consultation.

TIA members will be able to e-mail questions to the firm via an exclusive e-mail address, or you can place a toll-free telephone call for assistance.

After the initial consultation, at the dealer’s request, Ogletree Deakins will provide members with representation “at attractive rates” from the appropriate lawyer specializing in labor and employment law, immigration issues or environmental matters.

“This is an exciting, new benefit,” says TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield.

He notes that the firm was chosen because of:

• Its deep knowledge of the law;

• The firm’s national footprint;

• Substantial experience representing tire industry dealers and manufacturers.

“We are particularly pleased that Jim Micali, former chairman of Michelin, has joined Ogletree Deakins, and will be able to provide his tremendous experience in the tire industry to our members,” Littlefield points out.

“I’ve known Ogletree Deakins for more than 35 years, and they are well-versed on matters that come before tire dealers everyday,” explains Micali.

“In matters involving labor and employment issues, environmental law and immigration, they can provide this knowledge to dealers large and small,” he adds.

For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org and www.ogletreedeakins.com.