We advance the mutual interests of carriers and shippers in the competitive logistics marketplace.
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP serves the legal needs of motor transport carriers and the shippers that rely on them. Trucking companies and the brokers that help shippers select carriers ask us not only to handle claims, licensing, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, employment law, and liability issues, but to serve efficiently and economically as their outside general corporate counsel. Fortune 500 producers of finished goods and raw materials also depend on us to advocate for them when goods are lost or damaged, or other problems arise. And because only the largest carriers typically have in-house lawyers, we also work seamlessly with smaller companies’ CEO owners.
We regularly advise shippers on contracts with carriers and brokers and with respect to freight damage and loss claims, and we are extensively involved with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding railroad rate cases and railroad service issues.
We have substantive knowledge of transportation law in the post-deregulation era, combining insight on logistics, safety, insurance, and contracts with in-depth corporate law capabilities and the bench strength to handle relevant tax, labor law, litigation, employment law, or environmental issues. Clients value our timely, practical advice that draws on our deep understanding of logistics issues while being tailored to their specific needs.
Our advice also targets problems before they happen. When safety and service hour regulations change, we strive to keep clients up to date and in compliance; when major challenges loom, we understand cost implications and stand ready to help carriers and shippers defend their business interests—the same kind of insight we apply to our counsel on everyday employment issues.
In addition, we advise clients on antitrust and competition law compliance. Our work as outside general counsel to a national trade association that represents the transportation interests of the glass industry and raw material suppliers puts us on the front lines of competitive issues involving rail transport, rate challenges, regulatory initiatives, and antitrust concerns for shippers. We are also well-versed in the unique antitrust exemption enjoyed by the rail industry as well as the cost impact it has had on carriers and shippers alike. This broad perspective, coupled with our national scope and full-service capabilities, makes our firm the counsel of choice for a wide range of logistics clients.
Our Clients
- Motor carriers of freight and related broker operations with operations focused in northern Ohio
- Leading national manufacturers of glass products, building products, chemicals, and other industrial commodities
- As outside general counsel, a national trade association that represents the transportation interests of the glass industry
Our Services
- Helping motor carriers with licensing, insurance issues, claims handling, liability issues, and corporate matters, drawing on our network in the industry to facilitate such matters
- Advocating for carriers in disputes with their insurers
- Assisting self-insured companies with liability issues
- Representing shippers in loss and damage claims against carriers
- Representing shippers in railroad negotiations and contract issues
- Reviewing contracts for shippers and carriers to proactively identify potential concerns
- Representing sellers and buyers of trucking companies in merger and acquisition transactions
- Advising shippers and carriers on antitrust compliance
- Comprehensive labor and employment law services, including creating employee handbooks, resolving wage and hour claims and discrimination allegations, and helping ensure proper record-keeping for driver time