Overview
Our Transportation practice offers a depth of knowledge in the railroad industry gained from more than 25 years representing railroad clients, including serving as U.S. Counsel for one of seven Class 1 railroads in North America. We are driven to find creative solutions to the unique legal challenges of this industry.
Clients including the Soo Line Railroad Company, Delaware and Hudson Railway Company and Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad Corporation, all d/b/a Canadian Pacific, Anacostia & Pacific Company and its affiliates, and short line and regional lines across the country turn to Stinson when they need comprehensive legal counsel. Our team of attorneys are informed on the latest issues pertaining to industry professionals through involvement in the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, including the General Counsel Committee; leadership positions in the Association of Transportation Law Professionals, and membership in the Wage and Hour Defense Institute (WHDI).
Capabilities
Our strategic understanding of the industry and broad experience informs our ability to assist clients with a variety of matters, including:
- Regulatory compliance counseling
- Federal preemption litigation involving ICC Termination Act and the Federal Railroad Safety Act
- Day-to-day operational issues
- Transactions, including acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, financing and real estate conveyances
- Contracts, including transportation contracts, vendor-supply and inter-carrier agreements, track abandonments and line relocations
- Surface Transportation Board (STB) appearances, including rate reasonableness and reasonable practice challenges; abandonments and discontinuances’ acquisition, control, merger, and consolidation proceedings; , and trackage rights, lease and construction proceedings
- FRA enforcement proceedings
- Specialized issues, such as transportation of hazardous materials
- Labor and employment matters and benefits issues unique to the rail industry, including assistance with OSHA whistle-blower provisions
- Litigation before federal and state courts and alternative dispute resolution, including contract and commercial disputes, product liability, cargo loss and tort claims
