Logistics and Transportation

Our full-service Logistics and Transportation Practice Group advises clients on regulatory compliance and fleet operations, but also regularly works with public and private companies on corporate structure, finance, mergers, acquisitions and contracts; litigation; labor and employment; insurance claims and risk management; warehousing and distribution; trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; call centers and outsourcing; immigration and global mobility; and customs.

We represent logistics businesses, carriers, brokers, manufacturers and shippers who manage and facilitate transportation via truck, ocean, air and rail.

Corporate

We know what it takes to be a successful business. The right financing, the right growth strategy and the right leadership team. Barnes & Thornburg attorneys work with companies at all ends of the supply chain, from large international transportation and logistics companies to small- or medium-sized suppliers.

Our attorneys work with clients to realize their growth strategy. We have negotiated mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures and advised on capital financing. With an eye on protecting the clients’ interests, our attorneys review and prepare transportation contracts, equipment leases, ocean carrier contracts and other agreements.

We make recommendations in connection with insurance claims and insurance coverage, especially in relation to environmental remediation. Clients also turn to our skilled real estate lawyers for guidance on real estate transactions, such as the sale or lease of terminal facilities, purchase or sale of land and leasing office space, as well as the financing of these deals.

Litigation

Our attorneys handle commercial litigation for large national logistics and transportation companies, and are often involved in helping clients with litigation prevention. We advise clients when supplier or distribution arrangements go bad, as well as on complex commercial disputes, employment litigation, product liability and wrongful death. Barnes & Thornburg has a deep bench of 180 litigators throughout our offices that provides the strength, depth and experience expected of a national litigation powerhouse.

Clients turn to us for counsel on disputes before administrative bodies and the courts involving:

• Complex commercial disputes
• Real estate transactions
• Cargo security
• Vehicle and premises accidents
• Contracts
• Employment and labor
• Environmental issues and hazardous materials

Labor and Employment Law

Attorneys in our Logistics and Transportation Practice Group have experience in a wide range of labor and employment matters across the country. We advise companies on collective bargaining, labor relations, arbitration and other traditional labor matters, representing management interests.

The transportation and logistics industries rely heavily on skilled labor and on a wide range of employment classifications. Clients can rely on our knowledgeable attorneys to guide them on effective litigation strategies and day-to-day employment matters dealing with:

• Wage and hour and FLSA
• Wrongful termination
• Class action defense
• OSHA matters
• Audits of employment practices
• Discrimination claims, including ADA, Title VII, ADEA and ERISA
• Wrongful discharge
• ERISA issues
• Unfair labor practice, grievances and arbitrations>
• Representation elections
• Decertification
• Employee benefits
• Employee handbooks and policy manuals
• Non-compete agreements
• Contract negotiations
• Labor disputes
• FMLA matters
• Reductions in force
• Facility closing and relocations

Our immigration and global mobility team provides employers assistance with all aspects of temporary and permanent employment-based immigration.

Environmental

Trucking companies, ocean carriers, airports and air transport companies, brokers and warehousing operations all face stringent federal and state environmental and regulatory requirements. Our attorneys represent companies in environmental remediation and insurance claims for leaking underground storage tanks, transportation of hazardous materials, and related spills, as well as regulatory requirements with the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state counterparts. We evaluate and manage environmental issues in real estate and business transactions, as well as handle facility permitting and siting and cleanup matters.

Intellectual Property and Data Security

Protecting your company’s intellectual property, innovations, data and processes is an important part of doing business in today’s global economy. Barnes & Thornburg lawyers advise logistics and transportation companies on patent and trademark prosecution, branding, data and privacy issues. Our skilled attorneys also represent companies in patent and trademark disputes and find innovative solutions to protect clients’ competitive advantage. 

Government and Regulatory Services

Barnes & Thornburg represents clients in regulatory and administrative matters, including licensing, rate, finance, contracting with the federal government, and complaint proceedings before federal regulatory agencies. We advise on bidding, procurement, licensing and permitting – all areas that may impact logistics and transportation entities. Our Washington, D.C., office and Federal Relations Group is made up of lawyers, lobbyists and public affairs advisors who serve clients on a variety of business, government and trade association issues, including drafting legislation.