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TRANSPORTATION

The transportation industry is at the forefront of economic growth and globalization. The ability to move goods and transport people efficiently—whether by truck, ship, airplane or train—is crucial to the success of businesses worldwide. And while the renewed interest of venture capitalists, an increase in public/private partnerships and the granting of stimulus funds offer promise of more opportunities for transportation businesses and their customers, these and other factors—new technologies that track goods more accurately, changing regulations—also complicate the operations of transportation companies.

Thompson Coburn’s transportation attorneys represent ocean carriers, ports, air carriers, motor carriers, public transit systems, trade associations, shippers and cargo owners, and can handle the breadth of issues that affect the industry and its customers. Our attorneys have decades of experience and understand that transportation issues are complex and often include substantial capital investments with multiple parties that are directly and indirectly involved. In addition, they handle regulatory issues involving competition and antitrust proceedings, safety and environmental regulation, licensing, cargo security, joint ventures and international services arising before courts, federal agencies and the U.S. Congress. We also serve transportation innovators by handling their intellectual property work.

Our transportation attorneys counsel clients on air, rail, truck and maritime HAZMAT compliance issues involving U.S. federal regulations; the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air; the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations; and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Several of our attorneys have held positions within the Departments of Transportation, Treasury and Justice; the U.S. International Trade Commission; on staffs in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate; and at related trade organizations. Because of this range of experiences, our attorneys can address issues involving nearly any sector of the transportation industry.

Case Studies

Helping Chicago’s public transit agencies implement an innovative fare payment system

Federal Maritime Commission v. South Carolina State Ports Authority, 535 U.S. 743 (2002)
Thompson Coburn successfully represented the SCSPA before the United States Supreme Court. States and their instrumentalities are entitled to sovereign immunity in proceedings before federal administrative tribunals. A vessel operator filed a complaint at the Federal Maritime Commission against the SCSPA. The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the complaint on the basis of the state’s sovereign immunity reflected in the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Commission itself reversed. We petitioned for review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and secured a unanimous decision reversing the Commission. The Federal Maritime Commission, joined by the Solicitor General, filed a Petition for Certiorari, which was granted. We successfully argued that the principle of state sovereign immunity reflected in the 11th Amendment transcended its literal language to apply to proceedings before federal agencies and was not limited to cases filed in Article III courts. The decision, one of the most significant in perhaps the oldest line of Supreme Court cases, affirms the dual sovereignty inherent in our federal system of government.

Obtained an exemption for Insituform Technologies from the hours of service regulations for most of the client’s day-to-day activities. Our extensive efforts included direct meetings with the appropriate regulatory officers within the DOT. Insituform Technologies provides substantial maintenance and repair services to utility companies worldwide, with a particular emphasis on providing services to U.S. municipal entities. Given the nature and time sensitivity of the products used by the client, the utility-related work frequently requires the client’s drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles beyond the strict confines of the applicable hours of service regulations.

Represented a foreign-based shipping company in negotiating vessel construction contracts with major international shipyards in Korea, Japan and China.

Represented the Export-Import Bank of the United States in the guaranteed financing of two off-shore drilling rigs, each with values in excess of $100 million, for export to a Mexican company.

Represented a client in the $50 million sale of its vessel fleet, including 19 boats and 29 barges. Our attorneys provided advice and counsel to the company on admiralty, labor and employment, and regulatory issues.

In December 2006, our firm requested and obtained a Modified Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (MRC) from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for a state port authority to operate on a line known as the Port Royal Railroad. Surrounding landowners petitioned for reconsideration of the MRC, arguing that they owned the fee interest in the right-of-way and that the STB lacked jurisdiction to issue the MRC because the line had been abandoned. We represented the port authority in its opposition to the landowners. The STB denied the landowners’ petition; the landowners again petitioned for reconsideration of the decision. In July 2008, we filed a notice of intent to terminate service on the line and a joint request for a notice of interim trail use (NITU) that would permit rail banking/interim trail use of the line under the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1247(d). The landowners opposed the notice. In May 2009, the STB denied the landowners’ petition for reconsideration and granted the joint request for an NITU.

Led a coalition that successfully lobbied Congress in connection with the reform of Subpart F relating to the taxation of foreign-based company shipping income and have represented clients in the enactment of the alternate tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flagged vessels operating in international trade.

Filed a brief on behalf of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in the U.S. Supreme Court, opposing a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari filed by Amalgamated Transit Union Local No. 1338. In the brief, DART opposes Amalgamated Transit Union Local No. 1338’s request for a writ of certiorari to consider whether the Texas Supreme Court correctly held that Congress did not preempt, by implication, a Texas state governmental entity’s immunity from suit when Congress enacted the Urban Mass Transit Act of 1964, and in particular Section 13(c) of that Act, which conditions a state transit entity’s receipt of federal funds on the state transit entity entering into an agreement that seeks to preserve the state transit workers’ collective-bargaining rights. DART argues that the case did not warrant the Court’s certiorari review because the Texas Supreme Court’s decision aligns with the Court’s constitutional precedent and the reach of, and limits on, Congress’ constitutional authority.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and other municipal transit systems nationwide faced billions of dollars of termination liabilities arising out of the credit freeze. WMATA and the other systems financed their acquisition of subway cars and buses with tax-advantaged deals known as SILOs (sale-in, lease-out) and LILOs (lease-in, lease-out) backed by AIG, Ambac and other sureties. The drop in the credit ratings of these sureties triggered technical defaults and extraordinary accelerated termination payment liabilities, in this case $43 million, that jeopardized the systems' continuing operations. Taking the lead nationwide, WMATA filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. and prevailed in a temporary restraining order (TRO) proceeding to prevent the first of many of these transactions from unraveling. Following issuance of the TRO, an evidentiary hearing on a preliminary injunction was held. The court expressed serious concerns about the windfall recovery sought by the investor bank and urged the parties to resolve the dispute. Thompson Coburn negotiated resolution of the dispute, avoiding termination liability for WMATA.

Advised a chemical company with respect to an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Security and Hazardous Material Division, arising from multiple shipments of hazardous materials in apparent noncompliance with the applicable regulations of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). We participated extensively in structuring and preparing an initial submission as well as supplemental submissions to the FAA. Despite the potential for hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties, the FAA agreed, following review of the submissions, to resolve the matter with a Letter of Warning and to forego any civil penalties.

Aid companies in developing supply chain security programs in compliance with the guidelines of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Negotiated transportation, multimodal and distribution contracts that permit a major distributor to outsource its tracking, warehousing and distribution activities to service providers.

Publications

Don’t get sunk: 5 common misunderstandings when shipping cargo under government contracts

EEOC issues new guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace

Missouri legislature passes new protections for businesses from COVID-19 suits

USMCA allows challenges to U.S. grants of authority given to persons of Mexico providing cross-border long-haul trucking services in the United States

OSHA issues new guidance on face coverings in light of COVID-19

Motor carriers and drivers beware: FMCSA scales back COVID-19 immediate needs in latest update to Emergency Declaration No. 2020-20

What the President’s executive order means for transactions involving the Government of Venezuela

Air, rail and marine finance: New or not-so-new things to know

Bankruptcy court rejects risk-shifting liquidated damages clause in equipment leases

City of Chicago set to expand TOD benefits

NAFTA, tariffs and trade wars: Are you ready to do battle in Missouri?

Seven steps to avoid the new waves of Chinese tariffs on industrial goods

In California, when is a ‘worker’ considered an ‘employee’?

3 compliance obligations you may not know you have

Missouri appellate court opens the door to Spearin claims by contractors against public entities

Missouri to join Right to Work ranks: Is the fight over or just warming up?

Strategies for documenting vessel acquisition and financing transactions

Missouri Supreme Court resets the rules for collecting leaking underground storage tank cleanup costs in litigation

Developments in aircraft and marine finance for 2016

U.S. Department of Labor issues final rule updating overtime regulations

New OSHA reporting and anti-retaliation rules

Shippers, are you ready for SOLAS’ verified container weight mandate?

Government contractors must address domestic trafficking

Illinois appellate court strengthens sole proximate cause defense in asbestos cases

Small Business Committee holds hearing to explore commercial drone operations

Small UAS comment countdown begins: FAA publishes notice of proposed rulemaking

Florida drone bill a reminder to UAS operators: Know all the rules before you fly

UAS hearing yields details on systems research and development, but no timeline for small UAS rule

'Tis the season: FAA launches safety campaign for unmanned aircraft

Unmanned aircraft systems are 'aircraft' once again: National Transportation Safety Board reverses administrative law judge on key definition

International trade compliance: 6 basic products questions a company should answer

Blog Posts

Food transporters take notice – the FDA’s new Sanitary Transport Rule may affect you

How the FDA’s new Sanitary Transport Rule affects food shipping

News

Associate Evelyn Clark Authors NYT Article on Americans With Disabilities Act

Sharon Rosenberg Named a 2023 “Class Action/Mass Tort Litigation Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal

D.C. office raises funds for World Central Kitchen to ho​nor Kent Woodman’s volunteer trip to the Ukraine border

Jayna Rust selected for NAPABA Leadership Advancement Program

Eileen Brown named managing partner of Thompson Coburn’s D.C. office

Thompson Coburn’s UAS practice launches Three Lawyers and a Drone podcast

Margie Krumholz named 2019 recipient of Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence

Jayna Marie Rust named an APABA Rising Star

Gain Executive Insights on trade developments with Thompson Coburn, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Tony Anderson among LGBTQ execs honored by the Washington Business Journal

Cherie Bock, Ruthanne Hammett, Margie Krumholz publish article on vessel documentation

Thompson Coburn Management Committee welcomes Tony Anderson

Adrienne Clair joins Thompson Coburn’s utilities practice as partner

A merger story: Tom Minogue and Jack Musgrave discuss 20 years as Thompson Coburn

Updated trade compliance materials now available

Warren Dean writes op-ed on Open Skies, Mid-East airline subsidies for The Hill

Thompson Coburn returns to the U.S. Supreme Court on state sovereign immunity

Thompson Coburn earns corporate counsel recommendations five years running in national report

Margie Krumholz elected to American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers

Thompson Coburn earns eight national top-tier rankings in U.S. News ‘Best Law Firms’ survey

Margie Krumholz co-authors chapter on leasing commercial vessels

Federal Maritime Commission decides administrative action over ‘split routing’

U.S. Supreme Court unanimously sides with position of Thompson Coburn airline client

Thompson Coburn files U.S. Supreme Court brief for international airline group

Cliff Godiner, Hope Abramov to dissect a modern labor dispute at SHRM annual conference

Margie Krumholz named the new chair of Marine Financing Committee

Eric E. Boyd joins Thompson Coburn's Environmental Group

Jonathan Benner, former Federal Bar ‘Transportation Lawyer of the Year,’ joins Thompson Coburn’s D.C. office

Senior Counsel
Washington, D.C.

Over the past 30 years, Tony has been a legal advisor to many of the nation's largest transit systems.

Over the past 30 years, Tony has been a legal advisor to many of the nation...

Tony Anderson
Senior Counsel
Washington, D.C.

Jonathan focuses on regulatory issues and litigation affecting domestic and international maritime and shipping matters, as well as international trade regulation issues ...

Jonathan focuses on regulatory issues and litigation affecting domestic and...

Jonathan Benner
Partner
Chicago

Christina Berish is a deeply valued resource to clients as they interpret and enforce agreements.

Christina Berish is a deeply valued resource to clients as they interpret a...

Christina Berish
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Tyler is an experienced international trade and regulatory attorney who provides comprehensive guidance to clients regarding the impact of federal law and regulations on ...

Tyler is an experienced international trade and regulatory attorney who pro...

Tyler Black
Partner
St. Louis

Cherie represents financial institutions and borrowers in various secured and unsecured lending transactions.

Cherie represents financial institutions and borrowers in various secured a...

Cherie Stephens Bock
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

Mary has spent her  40-year career representing major corporations in high-stakes trials and arbitrations.

Mary has spent her  40-year career representing major corporations in ...

Mary Bonacorsi
Partner
St. Louis

Mark’s practice focuses on the representation of clients in financial restructurings, out-of-court workouts and bankruptcy cases.

Mark’s practice focuses on the representation of clients in financial restr...

Mark Bossi
Partner
St. Louis

Matt is vice chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group.

Matt is vice chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group.

Matt Braunel
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Eileen is a successful negotiator and strategist who focuses on her clients' goals while keeping an eye on the big picture.

Eileen is a successful negotiator and strategist who focuses on her clients...

Eileen Brown
Counsel
Southern Illinois

Crystal has years of experience defending large corporations in civil litigation.

Crystal has years of experience defending large corporations in civil litig...

Crystal Campbell
Associate
Washington, D.C.

Evelyn focuses on international trade and regulatory compliance to guide clients through federal law and regulations impacting domestic and international transactions.

Evelyn focuses on international trade and regulatory compliance to guide cl...

Evelyn Clark
Partner
St. Louis

Cathy focuses her practice on employee benefits, taxation and closely-held businesses.

Cathy focuses her practice on employee benefits, taxation and closely-held ...

Cathy Conrad
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Warren Dean practices in the field of federal regulation of transportation services, both domestic and international.

Warren Dean practices in the field of federal regulation of transportation ...

Warren Dean, Jr.
Partner
St. Louis

David is a lead trial lawyer with a track record of success across a diverse array of claims, including various types of construction and real estate disputes, business t...

David is a lead trial lawyer with a track record of success across a divers...

David Dick
Partner
Southern Illinois

Misty represents companies facing litigation in high-risk venues across the Midwest.

Misty represents companies facing litigation in high-risk venues across the...

Misty Edwards
Partner
St. Louis

Cliff is a nationally recognized labor and employment attorney who advises executives and HR leaders on all aspects of employment litigation and labor disputes.

Cliff is a nationally recognized labor and employment attorney who advises ...

Cliff Godiner
Partner
Chicago

Ruthanne represents parties in complex commercial transactions, providing responsive advice on a variety of finance and sales matters.

Ruthanne represents parties in complex commercial transactions, providing r...

Ruthanne Hammett
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

For more than 30 years, Lori has been helping clients solve some of the most challenging employee benefit problems.

For more than 30 years, Lori has been helping clients solve some of the mos...

Lori Jones
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Matt's practice focuses on maritime and trade finance and related United States government guarantee programs.

Matt's practice focuses on maritime and trade finance and related United St...

Matthew Kaiser
Partner
New York

James serves as legal adviser to investors, entrepreneurs, investment advisers and investment bankers as they fund or invest in new companies, grow established private co...

James serves as legal adviser to investors, entrepreneurs, investment advis...

James Kardon
Partner
St. Louis

Ryan has a broad and diverse practice serving clients navigating sophisticated matters related to air, water, land, energy, agriculture, emergency response and climate is...

Ryan has a broad and diverse practice serving clients navigating sophistica...

Ryan Russell Kemper
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Katie advises public transit agencies around the country on a variety of regulatory and compliance issues, including public sector procurement, project delivery, Buy Amer...

Katie advises public transit agencies around the country on a variety of re...

Katie Kraft
Senior Counsel
Washington, D.C.

Margie's practice spans more than 30 years representing borrowers, lenders, lessors, and lessees in structuring, negotiating, and closing financing transactions, includin...

Margie's practice spans more than 30 years representing borrowers, lenders,...

Margie Krumholz
Partner
St. Louis

Nick is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Nick is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Nick Lamb
Partner
Chicago

Litigation can be a chess match or a street fight: Rob is comfortable with either approach.

Litigation can be a chess match or a street fight: Rob is comfortable with ...

Rob Lang
Partner
St. Louis

Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic and international), state and local tax matters.

Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic an...

Rick Lawton
Partner
New York

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in major commercial disputes, with a particular focus in lender liability cases, fraud-based invest...

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in m...

Steven Mandelsberg
Partner
Southern Illinois

Kevin is a litigation partner focusing in the areas of asbestos, toxic tort, personal injury, products liability, and railroad litigation.

Kevin is a litigation partner focusing in the areas of asbestos, toxic tort...

Kevin McGinley
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Sean helps his clients navigate the complex web of federal regulations that affect their transportation and export operations.

Sean helps his clients navigate the complex web of federal regulations that...

Sean McGowan
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

Tom is the former Chair of Thompson Coburn, where for 20 years he led the Firm through a period of growth and nationwide expansion.

Tom is the former Chair of Thompson Coburn, where for 20 years he led the F...

Tom Minogue
Partner
St. Louis

Mike is a litigator who defends banking and healthcare clients.

Mike is a litigator who defends banking and healthcare clients.

Mike Morris
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense solutions" and "natural instincts" for deal flow.

Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense so...

Emily Wang Murphy
Partner
New York

Consistently recognized for his dynamic, passionate, and resolute approach, Zachary delivers practical, tactical, and experienced advice to a diverse clientele that inclu...

Consistently recognized for his dynamic, passionate, and resolute approach,...

Zachary Newman
Partner
St. Louis

Tom provides strategic intellectual property counseling to some of the world's largest consumer products companies and service providers, with a focus on IP portfolio man...

Tom provides strategic intellectual property counseling to some of the worl...

Tom Polcyn
Partner
Southern Illinois

Kurt is experienced in the defense of personal injury and property damage litigation including FELA, trucking, product liability, class action and mass tort litigation.

Kurt is experienced in the defense of personal injury and property damage l...

Kurt Reitz
Partner
St. Louis

Sharon develops and executes highly effective MDL  and class action defense strategies for major companies across a variety of sectors, including agriculture, transp...

Sharon develops and executes highly effective MDL  and class action de...

Sharon Rosenberg
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Jayna advises companies, transportation authorities, educational institutions, and other entities regarding their rights and obligations when doing business with or recei...

Jayna advises companies, transportation authorities, educational institutio...

Jayna Marie Rust
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Robert counsels clients in all aspects of international transactions with a focus on the trade and shipment of goods.

Robert counsels clients in all aspects of international transactions with a...

Robert Shapiro
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Jane serves as counsel to transit agencies across the country on a range of issues including funding, project development, and procurement.

Jane serves as counsel to transit agencies across the country on a range of...

Jane Sutter Starke
Partner
St. Louis

Peter is an environmental attorney who helps companies respond to major environmental incidents, navigate regulatory actions and successfully resolve civil and criminal l...

Peter is an environmental attorney who helps companies respond to major env...

Peter Stark Strassner
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

Dave represents railroads and major manufacturers in environmental and occupational exposure litigation throughout the Midwest and across the country.

Dave represents railroads and major manufacturers in environmental and occu...

Dave Stratmann
Partner
Southern Illinois

Erick is a litigation partner in the Firm's Southern Illinois office.

Erick is a litigation partner in the Firm's Southern Illinois office.

Erick VanDorn
Partner
Los Angeles

Barry serves as a corporate strategist and outside general counsel to small- to mid-sized companies, as well as their principals, in a variety of industries.

Barry serves as a corporate strategist and outside general counsel to small...

Barry Weisz
Senior Counsel
Washington, D.C.

Kent practices in the surface transportation area, with emphasis on major public transit and highway projects, procurement, federal regulatory requirements, and transit l...

Kent practices in the surface transportation area, with emphasis on major p...

Kent Woodman
Partner
Dallas

Dawn defends major product manufacturers and chemical distributors in products liability and mass tort litigation.

Dawn defends major product manufacturers and chemical distributors in produ...

Dawn Wright