With a full-service transportation law department of experienced transportation attorneys, Dean & Fulkerson is a national leader in solving the legal problems of transportation companies, logistics providers, and their customers. Our transportation attorneys have gained wide experience as well as international recognition for their in-depth knowledge and broad experience in serving the changing and dynamic fields of transportation and business logistics.
The firm’s transportation experience dates back to the 1960s when the core members of the transportation law group began practicing with specialty law firms representing the transportation industry. Facing new challenges, both the industry and our attorneys have expanded and changed. Industry concerns moved from rate regulation, entry control, and a totally organized workforce to free entry and competitive logistics, and a diverse pool of labor and employment options.
Dean & Fulkerson’s U.S., Canadian and overseas clients include carriers, shippers, freight forwarders, brokers and logistics companies. Our transportation attorneys serve clients in the following areas:
- Represent carriers and shippers in disputes involving federal, state and foreign transportation laws
- Prepare and review transportation contracts, logistics agreements, equipment leases, independent contractor agreements, shipping documents, rate tariffs and carrier interchange agreements
- Defend carriers in regulatory enforcement actions and transportation tax claims
- Represent national, regional and local carrier management in collective bargaining, union representation proceedings, multi-employer grievance hearings, grievance arbitration, drafting of policies and procedures, and other labor relations issues unique to transportation
- Investigate transportation accidents on an expedited basis and prepare for the defense or resolution of claims
- Represent carriers in the buying, selling or leasing of terminal facilities, including any related environmental issues
- Handle defense of workers compensation claims for transportation companies
- Handle defense of OSHA and MIOSHA claims
- Represent carriers before the National Labor Relations Board
- Prepare and review benefit plans to comply with IRS, ERISA and related agency requirements
- Review multi-employer pension plans and withdrawal liability issues
- Represent transportation companies in employment and civil rights litigation in state and federal courts, including disability discrimination claims to present issues unique to the industry
Examples of matters handled by the Transportation Law and Logistics Group:
- Brokers and brokering
- Cargo claims
- Collective bargaining negotiations on the national, regional and local basis
- Consultation and development of Drug and Alcohol Substance Abuse Policy reflecting compliance with applicable Department of Transportation policies
- Contracts (leases, equipment, acquisitions, service providers)
- Cross-border issues with Canada and Mexico
- Customs and duties
- Defense of labor, employment law and civil rights disputes in state and federal forums
- Defense of Workers’ Compensation claims in various state forums
- Development of personnel plans reflecting unique circumstances of the transportation industry
- Environmental shipping and transportation issues
- FAA licensing and certification
- Federal and state legislative activities
- Foreign drivers and vehicles
- Hazardous material incidents and spills
- Labor and employment disputes involving Federal and state statutory and administrative agencies including EEOC, NLRB, Department of Labor, OSHA, Department of Transportation and comparable state agencies
- Labor arbitration
- Mediation, mini-trials, and arbitration
- Overweight vehicles
- Personal injury and wrongful death
- Regulatory issues
- Safety investigations and compliance
- Truck accident claims and related auto no-fault law issues