Foster Garvey knows how the transportation industry functions. We know its documents and transaction models. We know the regulators and their thinking on compliance. Due to our deep experience in the transportation industry, we respond quickly and efficiently to our clients’ diverse needs and requests.

From maritime to motor carriage, from freight rail to light rail, we are positioned to assist in nearly all legal aspects of transportation and logistics issues encountered by your business. Our team handles a broad range of transportation matters and transactions, including antitrust suits and investigations; construction, licensing and delivery of luxury yachts around the world; Carmack and COGSA cargo litigation; the defense of FELA litigation/longshore injury claims; compliance with U.S. and international cargo screening and security requirements; and transportation intermediary licensing issues.

Foster Garvey’s Transportation & Logistics attorneys work diligently to stay informed about developments in the industry to keep our clients abreast of and prepared for potential legal issues. We can draw upon our network of experts in related fields such as economics and risk management. In addition to our deep experience in the intersection of the state, federal, and international laws, regulations, and licensing, our attorneys serve on state-wide and local boards and committees charged with advancing various aspects of transportation and infrastructure projects.

Our interdisciplinary approach also includes assisting our clients in matters involving real estate; condemnation and right-of-way acquisition; insurance coverage; environmental and land use; construction; bidding on government contracts; labor and employment; corporate reorganizations; financing and acquisitions; taxation; and contracts with vendors and service providers; and software licenses.

Areas of Focus

Airports
Airports face unique challenges, and Foster Garvey understands how to address their legal issues. Whether dealing with federal, local and state governments, surrounding communities, or users and tenants of the airport, our attorneys have substantial experience providing guidance on a wide range of airport matters, including some of the nation’s most hotly contested expansion disputes. Learn more about our experience representing owners and operators of Airports here. 

Aviation
Aviation clients look to Foster Garvey Transportation & Logistics attorneys for guidance with aircraft transactions, freight charge disputes, personal injury and regulatory matters before the Federal Aviation Administration, regulatory compliance issues and more.

Freight Rail
Freight rail companies rely on the Foster Garvey Transportation & Logistics team for advice with respect to the following issues:

• • Defense of FELA
  • Employment
  • Franchise agreements
  • Freight damage
  • PTC development and implementation
  • Rail service and service abandonment
  • Railbanking until the National Trails System Act
  • Right-of-way assemblage and condemnation
  • Surface intermediary issues
  • Track and crossing agreements

Maritime
Foster Garvey represents a full range of maritime and transport clients and is one of a handful of Pacific Northwest law firms that has a comprehensive maritime practice and is also a full-service business firm. Our clients include vessel owners and operators, international and domestic container shipping lines, tug and barge companies, fishing companies, ferry lines, terminal operators, luxury yacht owners, lenders, freight forwarders, shipyards and trade associations. 

Mass Transit & Light Rail
We assist mass transit and light rail clients with a variety of legal services, often including:

• • Infrastructure development and financing
  • Right-of-way corridor acquisition
  • Station siting

Motor Carriage
Motor carriage clients work with Foster Garvey Transportation & Logistics attorneys on a variety of matters including: bodily injury and property damage claims, cargo liability, intermodal liability, licensing matters, owner-operator leases, advice on interpreting and complying with regulations, shipping documentation and contracts, enforcement of cargo liens, bills of lading,, as well as advising forwarders and carriers regarding collection matters related to bankruptcy and insolvency of major importers and related entities.

Ports
Foster Garvey has extensive experience assisting both large and small ports and terminals throughout Washington state and the Pacific Northwest with a variety of legal and business matters, including real estate, land use, environmental, public finance, litigation and dispute resolution, and construction and regulatory issues. We have particularly deep knowledge in addressing issues that are unique to public and municipal entities, including compliance with public disclosure laws and open public meetings requirements. Learn more about our Ports practice and experience here.

Transportation Intermediaries & Logistics
Foster Garvey Transportation & Logistics attorneys work with transportation intermediaries and other clients to assist with the following:

• • 3PLs and 4PLs
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  • Federal Railroad Administration
  • Freight brokers
  • NVOCC
  • Ocean and surface freight forwarders
  • U.S. Federal Maritime Commission