MICHAEL W. DUNAGAN

Mike Dunagan is the attorney that Texas motor vehicle sellers and lenders turn to when issues and questions arise.  His work on vehicle topics over the last four decades puts him in a unique position to assist his clients.  His has written hundreds of articles that have appeared in the independent dealers’ trade association journal, has spoken at dozens of seminars, conventions and workshops around the country, and has published two books on vehicle-finance topics.  He has also been involved in the legislative process, drafting legislation and lobbying on behalf of dealers and lenders.

Mr. Dunagan’s clients include numerous motor vehicle dealers, both independent and franchised, banks, finance companies, credit unions, and wholesale auto auctions. His primary areas of practice are consumer finance, bankruptcy, secured transactions, and administrative and legislative activities.

For 40 years Mr. Dunagan has been counsel to the Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association. He has also represented the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, the Texas Wholesale Auto Auction Association, motor vehicle lenders as well as new and used car dealers.

HIS AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:  

• Organization of a group of dealers, including raising necessary funds and coordinating legislative activities, to reform the Texas motor vehicle sales tax law, enabling seller-finance dealers to pay sales tax only on actual collections.
• Organization of motor vehicle industry groups in the successful legal challenge to a $225 fee imposed on vehicles imported from out of state.
• Served as counsel to a state-wide group of dealers who successfully fought a class-action suit alleging illegal charges on contracts.
• Chaired a committee that was successful in passing legislation to allow related finance companies to defer sales tax on purchased contracts.
• One of his articles on the impact of Chapter 13 bankruptcies on sub-prime car creditors was cited in a U.S. Supreme Court opinion.

Mr. Dunagan’s two books, Texas Automobile Repossession: a Lien Holder’s Legal Guide and Dealer Financing of Used Car Sales,have been must-reads for generations of car creditors.

Please visit’s Mike’s website at www.michaeldunagan.com to order his book and review his articles.