The ability to move goods and transport people is not only crucial to the success of businesses worldwide — it is also at the forefront of economic growth and globalization. The renewed interest of venture capitalists, an increase in public/private partnerships, and the granting of stimulus funds create even more potential opportunities for transportation businesses and their customers. However, rapidly changing technologies, regulations and other factors can leave companies feeling uncertain and/or unprepared. Enter, Thompson Coburn.
Today’s global economy and its supply chain rely upon sophisticated multi-modal transportation networks. That requires knowledge of the rules and regulations affecting each of the participating modes of transportation. Thompson Coburn’s transportation practice recognizes the importance of that knowledge. Its attorneys represent ocean carriers, ports, air carriers, motor carriers, public transit systems, trade associations, shippers and cargo owners. We can handle the breadth of issues (transactional, regulatory and litigation) that affect the industry and its customers. In addition, we 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 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. We are poised to assist you in the areas outlined below.
admiralty
Thompson Coburn’s admiralty attorneys offer the depth and diversity needed to handle virtually any admiralty matter, including financial transactions, litigation and trials, cargo and towing claims, seizures and foreclosures, investigations and hearings, contracts, labor and employment, bankruptcy and restructuring, environmental and tax.
automotive
Our services to the auto industry are wide-ranging and include significant representation of auto manufacturers and automakers’ financing companies. We have worked with auto manufacturers on transportation regulatory matters, handled their labor and employment issues, and defended them in class actions and in products liability and warranty litigation. We also represent the companies that supply the auto industry with essential components, such as seat belts and brake pads, in products liability litigation.
aviation
Clients including major air carriers and their associations, Fortune 500 corporations, and high net worth individuals rely on Thompson Coburn for all of their business aircraft needs — including transactions and financing, regulatory compliance and business operations. We also regularly represent the financial institutions that fund corporate aircraft transactions.
drone law
The next major development in aviation is the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS,” also referred to as drones) into the national airspace system. Thompson Coburn’s multi-disciplinary practice group assists UAS owner/operators and users in navigating the regulations regarding this burgeoning transportation technology.
hazardous materials transport
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. Clients including product manufacturers, large retailers and utilities, trucking companies, freight forwarders and brokers regularly turn to Thompson Coburn to clarify the issues surrounding the transport of hazardous materials, and help keep them compliant and competitive.
maritime
Our nationally recognized maritime transactional and regulatory practice represents both domestic and foreign lenders, private equity, owners and operators in connection with blue- and brown-water, offshore and other maritime businesses and assets—including, but not limited to, the largest, ocean-going dry bulk, liquid and gas vessels, container ships, cruise lines, drilling rigs, wind farms, offshore supply vessels, ferries, towboats, barges and other marine equipment, whether carrying passengers or cargo.
ports
Thompson Coburn represents public port authorities and private marine terminal operators throughout the U.S. Our attorneys counsel ports on transactional issues and litigation relating to development; public procurements; marine terminal leases; operating, FMC, warehouse and other agreements; port security; port tariff provisions and rates; free trade zones; short sea shipping, privatization and port railroads, bankruptcy, regulatory compliance, admiralty, customs and finance matters, and employment and environmental issues.
public transit
Under constant pressure to secure funding, develop critical infrastructure and maintain safe, efficient transportation systems, public transit agencies in some of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas rely on Thompson Coburn for the full range of their legal needs. Our team advises transit authorities — as well as city, county and state governments; transit suppliers and transit consulting firms — on all transit-related matters, including funding and grants, procurement, section 13(c) and labor issues, appropriations, contracting for services, major capital projects, transit operations, Buy America compliance, ADA, DBE, civil rights issues, finance and grant matters, environmental matters, intellectual property, insurance issues, real estate and litigation.
railroad
Our full-service railroad practice is powered by our intimate knowledge of the business, its people and its history. We regularly defend FELA traumatic and occupational claims, third-party tort claims, labor cases (including FLSA claims), environmental matters, freight disputes and disputes about side track agreements. Major railroads and transportation agencies also turn to us for assistance with real estate, regulatory and corporate matters. We have deep experience with all relevant agencies and regulations.
trucking
Companies trust us with the full range of their trucking needs including DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) regulatory compliance, day-to-day operations (e.g., hours of service issues), supply chain challenges, contracts, and mergers and acquisitions. Our clients include motor carriers, freight forwarders and brokers; mailing aggregators; e-commerce vendors; and major lawn, garden and pet product retailers entering into transportation and warehouse contracts.
We handle regulatory issues involving competition, environmental safety, licensing, cargo security, joint ventures, international services, federal agencies and Congress.
We bring deep roots and previous experience working for the federal government, all relevant agencies and big defense law firms.
Clients include leading ocean carriers, ports, air carriers, motor carriers, public transit systems, trade associations, shippers and cargo owners.
Team members hail from the Departments of Transportation, Treasury and Justice; the ITC; Congressional staffs; and related trade organizations.
