Transportation & Logistics

We advise on transportation infrastructure projects across all modes and at every stage—from planning and procurement to financing, design/construction, and long-term operation and maintenance. We work with both public and private stakeholders—government agencies, developers, concessionaires, lenders, and contractors to deliver large-scale projects and programs that improve mobility and connectivity.

Our experience spans public transportation and transit infrastructure such as rail stations, transit lines, and intermodal hubs, as well as port, bridge, tunnel, interchange, and highway projects. We handle both financed and non-financed initiatives across project delivery methods and have represented clients on all sides of a transaction.

Our services include:

• Procurement and delivery strategies, including design-build, CM/GC/progressive design-build, and P3/PPP models (DBFOM and variants)
• Financing structures, infrastructure equity investment, public finance, and asset monetization
• Navigating land use, zoning, environmental review, permitting processes, and eminent domain
• Legislative support to establish statutory authority and program frameworks
• Advising on infrastructure-related transactions and asset transfers
• Identifying and mitigating contractual risks across all phases of project delivery
• Project implementation and dispute avoidance

Our team assists with structuring and closing asset-based and operational transactions across transportation sectors. Our attorneys handle domestic and cross-border deals involving aviation, maritime, logistics, and surface transportation assets. We serve as lead or local counsel on transactions that span regulatory, tax, and commercial dimensions.

Representative work includes:

• Projects: Private and public bidding and negotiation of transportation infrastructure
• Aviation: Aircraft and engine purchases, sales, operating leases, financing leases, pre-delivery payment (PDP) financings, and fractional ownership programs
• Maritime: Vessel acquisitions, ship mortgages, foreign and U.S. documentation, cargo contracts, and marine salvage agreements
• Logistics and Motor Carrier: Sale and purchase of fleet assets and intermodal operations agreements, and freight handling contracts
• Cross-border and Infrastructure: International import/export compliance for aircraft and vessels, and agreements tied to infrastructure projects
• High Net Worth: Advising individuals on acquiring, registering, and documenting aircraft and luxury vessels, with a focus on tax planning, operational compliance, and foreign ownership considerations

We bring deep knowledge of the regulatory and transactional frameworks that govern transportation asset transfers—frequently serving as local counsel to global carriers and financing institutions.

We partner closely with clients to understand their business goals, assess risk, and chart a litigation strategy that advances those objectives. We represent clients in high-stakes disputes, regulatory proceedings, and arbitration—handling tort, contract, insurance, and compliance matters across multiple jurisdictions, both nationally and internationally. By coordinating with our regulatory and transactional teams, we help clients resolve disputes efficiently while protecting broader operational and strategic interests.

Representative work includes:

• Catastrophic and Class Action Claims: Commercial tort and contract matters, claims arising out of transportation accidents such as railroad grade crossing collisions, aviation issues, and other property and personal injury litigation, and product liability matters involving recalls and warranty disputes
• Commercial and Regulatory Disputes: Contract breaches, lease and parts issues, antitrust claims, and enforcement actions
• Environmental and Exposure Litigation: Pollution claims, marine spills, toxic torts, asbestos, and chemical exposure defense
• Insurance and Liability Matters: Cargo loss, salvage disputes, and liability defense under statutes like the Carmack Amendment
• Employment and Whistleblower Issues: FELA personal injury and FRSA retaliation claims, rail employment litigation, and retaliation matters
• Infrastructure and Condemnation Disputes: Vendor conflicts, crossing incidents, and public transit-related real estate and takings claims
• International Arbitration: Cross-border disputes under UNCITRAL, ICDR, and LCIA frameworks

Navigating complex transportation regulations requires a practical understanding of how agencies and global standards intersect with daily operations. We guide clients through U.S. and international regulatory frameworks affecting transportation operations, infrastructure, and financing.

Key areas include:

• FAA, DOT, and state aviation licensing, charter structuring, and related U.S. tax and cross-border compliance for aircraft ownership, sales, leases, and financing
• U.S. Coast Guard, CBP, and international maritime regulations
• Drone and autonomous delivery compliance
• Motor carrier operations, including hours-of-service, ERISA, and intermodal oversight
• Rail and transit regulations, including FRA oversight, FTA funding programs, and safety standards
• Infrastructure-related permitting, environmental review, and agency coordination for federally funded projects