PITTSBURGH --- The newly formed National Association of Dealer Counsel (NADC) held its second organizational meeting. The group approved by-laws, defined membership qualifications, set tiered dues and established a 14-member board of directors.

Officers are:

• Jonathan Harvey, Harvey and Mumford LLP, Albany, N.Y. -- president

  
  

• Rob Cohen, Auto Advisory Services, Tustin, Calif. -- first vice president

  
  

• Mike Charapp, Charapp & Weiss, LLP, McLean, Va. -- second vice president

  
  

• Larry Young, HughesWattersAskanase, Houston -- secretary

  
  

• Patty Covington, CarMax Auto Superstores Inc., Glen Allen, Va. -- treasurer

  
  

  Committee chairs are:
  

  
  

• Mike Charapp -- membership

  
  

• Covington -- finance

  
  

• Gene Kelley, Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Chicago -- meetings

  
  

  Jack Tracey, CAE (Pittsburgh), is the executive director.
  

  
  

  
  

  "Attorneys from around the country have contacted us to express interest in joining the NADC," said Harvey. "Everyone feels the need for a forum, an information exchange that will help us create the tools we need to provide the best possible service to our dealer clients."

  
  

  
  

  The NADC will concentrate on:
  

  
  

• Information Resources, including: the network of members sharing information; a Web site and members-only listserv for quick query and response; publications, such as CounselorLibrary.com's Spot Delivery for all members.

  
  

• Education, including periodic meetings and presentations on issues of interest to members and for which members can earn continuing legal education credit.

  
  

• Leadership Position, including: developing and issuing position papers and formal position statements; becoming a resource to state attorneys general; and filing amicus briefs.

  
  

• Specialty Sections: as the membership grows, NADC will develop appropriate specialty sub-sections to offer information and support on specific concerns.

  
  

  
  

  "The group is very dedicated," said Cohen. "We all want to meet the needs we've heard expressed by our peers."

  
  

  By the end of September, membership information will be available, the members-only listserv will be delivered daily, and the Web site's expansion will be underway. The board will meet again on Oct. 20, 2004.