Authoritative Scholarship

Published Treatises

Randall McCathren is the co-author of the only two authoritative treatises on consumer vehicle leasing and automotive finance published in the United States — works that have shaped the legal and regulatory landscape of the industry for four decades.

2 Treatises Published

Warren, Gorham & Lamont

Industry Standard References

1985 & 1989

"Warren, Gorham & Lamont was the foremost publisher of authoritative legal and financial reference works in the United States — the publisher of choice for treatises that became the definitive standards in their fields. Publication by WG&L was itself a mark of scholarly authority."

Warren, Gorham & Lamont

Publisher of Record

Treatise I of II

Year

1985

Publisher

Warren, Gorham & Lamont

Role

Co-Author

Essentials of Consumer Vehicle Leasing

The first comprehensive legal treatise on consumer vehicle leasing published in the United States, establishing the foundational framework for understanding lease structures, consumer rights, and regulatory requirements at a time when the industry was rapidly expanding.

Published in 1985 at the dawn of the modern consumer vehicle leasing era, this treatise provided attorneys, lessors, and regulators with the first authoritative analysis of the legal and financial mechanics of consumer auto leasing. It addressed the then-novel questions of how lease disclosures should be structured, what constitutes a fair residual value, and how state and federal consumer protection laws apply to lease transactions. The work became an essential reference for practitioners navigating this emerging field.

Topics Covered

Legal structure of consumer vehicle lease agreements
Residual value determination and risk allocation
Federal and state disclosure requirements
Consumer protection law applicability to leases
Comparison of lease versus purchase financing
Dealer and manufacturer roles in lease origination
Early termination rights and liabilities
End-of-lease obligations and excess mileage

Intended Audience

Consumer finance attorneys
Auto lessors and captive finance companies
Federal and state regulators
Dealership legal counsel
Consumer advocates

Scholarly Impact

Cited in federal regulatory proceedings, state legislative hearings, and academic scholarship on consumer finance law. Established Mr. McCathren as the leading national authority on consumer vehicle leasing at the time of its publication.

Treatise II of II

Auto Lending and Leasing Manual

The definitive practitioner's manual on auto lending and leasing, expanding the scope of the 1985 treatise to encompass the full spectrum of automotive consumer finance — from direct and indirect lending to lease securitization and regulatory compliance.

Published in 1989 by Warren, Gorham & Lamont — the preeminent publisher of legal and financial reference works — this comprehensive manual addressed the full lifecycle of automotive consumer finance. It covered the mechanics of both direct and indirect auto lending, the legal requirements governing lease and loan disclosures, the rights and remedies of all parties, and the regulatory framework at both federal and state levels. The manual became the standard reference work for attorneys and compliance professionals in the automotive finance industry.

Topics Covered

Direct and indirect auto lending structures
Lease origination, documentation, and compliance
Truth in Lending Act and Consumer Leasing Act requirements
Residual value risk and remarketing
Default, repossession, and deficiency procedures
Dealer reserve and finance income
Federal and State Consumer Protection
Regulatory Compliance Overview
Insurance requirements and GAP coverage
Extended warranty and service contract law

Intended Audience

Auto finance attorneys and in-house counsel
Bank and credit union compliance officers
Captive finance company executives
Dealership finance and insurance managers
Consumer protection regulators
Expert witnesses in auto finance litigation

Scholarly Impact

Widely adopted as the standard reference manual in the automotive finance industry. Cited in litigation, regulatory proceedings, and academic publications. Remains the most comprehensive practitioner's guide to auto lending and leasing law published to date.

Find a Copy

Year

1989

Publisher

Warren, Gorham & Lamont

Role

Co-Author

ISBN-10

0887126030

ISBN-13

978-0887126031

Ongoing Scholarship

Auto Financing Update

In addition to the two treatises, Mr. McCathren was the author and editor of Auto Financing Update, a monthly newsletter published from 1986 through 2005 that provided in-depth analysis of trends, regulatory developments, and legal issues in automotive consumer finance. The newsletter was widely read by attorneys, lenders, regulators, and industry professionals throughout the United States.

Over nearly two decades of continuous publication, the newsletter established Mr. McCathren as the most consistent and authoritative voice on consumer automotive finance law in the country.

Years of Publication

1986 – 2005

228+

Monthly Issues

Continuous publication

Authoritative Treatises

Industry standards

40+

Years of Scholarship

Active since 1982

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