Transportation Law

The profitable movement of freight can be summed up simply. It means having the right things in the right places at the right times.

Foster Swift’s transportation industry clients will tell you that it also helps to have lawyers who are actively involved in the transportation industry - lawyers who know them, their businesses and their problems.

These clients include:

• Motor, rail, air, water and passenger carriers
• Logistics providers
• Trade associations
• Private fleet operators
• Shipper interests

Our clients come in all shapes and sizes. They range from small, family-run operations to large, privately-held and publicly-owned and traded North American transportation concerns. Our clients do business in Michigan, the Midwest and from coast to coast.

Transportation businesses benefit from our years of first-hand industry experience, including:

• Precedent-setting litigation, including accident defense

• Freight claim disputes, employment and personnel leasing issues, liability-negligence actions and insurance coverage issues
• Safety audits and complaint proceedings with the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aeronautics Administration, and Public Service Commission
• Challenges to state and local governmental regulations of interstate commerce
• Actions claiming violations of local and state highway regulations, including truck weight issues
• Regulatory applications for the Federal Highway Administration and Michigan Public Service Commission
• Legislative analysis, assistance and testimony
• Tax-fee disputes against governmental units

The firm’s transportation lawyers were front-and-center in a landmark court case for the industry. They successfully challenged the State of Michigan on behalf of a large group of motor carriers who were required to pay excess registration/plate fees. They represented these motor carriers in courts throughout the state, winning the case against the state, which was affirmed by the court of appeals in 2009.

Transportation is an industry where time is money. It makes sense to have a law firm that offers just-in-time solutions, backed by years of practical experience, the latest technology and reasonable prices.

Publications & Alerts

• Recent Updates to Michigan No-Fault Act Changes, Litigation News Update E-blast, June 10, 2019
• Jury: Defendants at fault for crash, not injuries, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, May 30, 2019
• New Guidance on Hours-of-Service for Agricultural Commodity Drivers, October 2018 Agricultural Law News, October 23, 2018
• What are the Rules of the Road for Farm Vehicles?, July 2018 Agricultural Law News, July 7, 2018
• Farm Drones – Steer Clear From Michigan’s 230 Airports, January 2018 Agricultural Law News, January 24, 2018
• Top 10 Things to Do When You Are Involved In a Motor Vehicle Accident, October 2017 Agricultural Law Newsletter, October 26, 2017

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Events

• What Brokers, Carriers and Shippers Have to Know About the New Federal Legislation MAP-21, Transportation Loss Prevention & Security Association National Conference, April 21, 2015
• Rapid Response Teams and On Site Investigations: The Front Line Defense, American Conference Institute, March 25, 2015
• Road Laws for Farmers, Great Lakes Crop Summit, January 28-29, 2015
• Liability for a Shipment of Food or Pharmaceuticals that Is or May Be Contaminated or Adulterated, Transportation Loss Prevention & Security Association Annual Conference, April 23, 2013
• Shipper's Duty to Mitigate Its Losses When Goods Are Damaged, Transportation Loss Prevention & Security Association, April 23, 2012
• Mistakes to Avoid when Doing International Business, Port Lansing 2010 Global Logistics Conference, November 10, 2010
• Living with CSA 2010: Crash Accountability & Section 329 Violations, 2010 Arkansas Trucking Seminar, September 16, 2010

News

• Attorney Russell Appointed as Litigation Practice Group Co-Leader, January 29, 2018
• Liddane Elected Foster Swift Shareholder, Southfield Chamber, January 19, 2018
• Court Dismisses Case Where Real Property Damage Was Caused by Tractor-trailer's Use as a Motor Vehicle, September 21, 2016
• Foster Swift Expands Transportation Practice with Addition of Maritime Law Attorneys Richard Dietz and Michael Liddane, August 3, 2016
• Beckwith Becomes President of Transportation Lawyers Association, May 3, 2013
• Dirk Beckwith elected President-Elect of the Transportation Lawyers Association, May 24, 2012
• Millenbach Addresses International Shipping Issues at Port Lansing Logistics Conference, November 10, 2010