The 2024 program schedule is jam-packed with CLE sessions, dining, networking, and other fun activities. This year’s educational sessions will feature timely topics of interest for attorneys practicing all modes of transportation law. Topics have been chosen based on suggestions received from past attendees as well as recent developments in the law that affect the transportation industry.
Accreditation has been requested for the 2024 TLA Annual Conference from every state with mandatory continuing legal education (CLE) requirements. Please be aware that each state has its own rules and regulations, including the definition of CLE. More information about CLE is available on the TLA website.
Wednesday, May 1
More details will be sent to EC members directly.
Wednesday, May 1 – 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2 – 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3 – 7:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 – 7:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2
Wednesday, May 1 – 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2 – 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3 – 7:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 – 7:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Eric Benton, TLA President, Partner, Mayer LLP, Houston, Texas, United States
Gordon Hearn, 2024 Annual Conference Program Co-Chair, Partner, Gardiner Roberts LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
William (Billy) M. Davis, 2024 Annual Conference Program Co-Chair, Partner, Bovis, Kyle, Burch & Medlin, LLC, Atlanta, GA, United States
Elizabeth Fashler, CTLA President, Counsel, Bordon Ladner Gervais LLP, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
As the dynamics of the transportation industry continue to shift with the advent of new technologies, understanding and leveraging these advancements is crucial in our legal profession.
This panel will provide a comprehensive understanding of the critical role technology plays in protecting and shaping the future of the transportation industry. The discussions will offer a blend of insights and practical strategies to equip attendees with practical ways to harness these technological advancements in their legal practice and operational initiatives and to further enhance industry-wide protection and safety.
Moderators:
Edwina V. Kessler, Principal, Dickie McCamey & Chilcote
Panelists:
Shelley Bennett, General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Lytx, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
David Cades, Principal Scientist, Exponent , Chicago, IL
Matt Arbour, Hrycay Engineering
Steve Stanaszak, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, P.C, Milwaukee, WI
Not since Smokey and the Bandit [1977] or Santa Claus behind the wheel of a Coca-Cola truck has a truck driver been prominently portrayed in a positive light in U.S. pop culture. How Hollywood and other content creators portray the transportation industry can have long-reaching impact on the perception of those in the transportation sector and those who deal with such organizations.
The entertainment industry has a long history of negative portrayals of transportation professionals, from works directed at young audiences (e.g.: Large Marge from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure [1985] and the truck driver from the ”Gridlocked” episode of the Disney cartoon Big City Greens [2018]) to works targeted for more mature audiences, where trucks and transportation equipment have been depicted as a means for mass destruction in many chase and accident scenes (e.g.: The Batman [2022], Avengers: Infinity War [2018], and The Matrix Resurrections [2021]) while their operators have been depicted as hardened criminals (e.g.: Die Hard with a Vengeance [1995] and Super Troopers [2001]). This, coupled with plaintiff attorney advertisements, limits the impact of any current positive outreach from our sector that attempts to break through into mainstream pop culture.
Given these headwinds, how can transportation counsel work to educate law makers, the general public, shippers and receivers, jurors, and those interested in transportation careers? Are there ways for transportation counsel to break down negative public perception and show the industry for what it is: a community of safety-focused professionals that work tirelessly to ensure the health, prosperity, and wellbeing of their employees and the general public? Please join us as we identify and discuss direct and indirect pop culture and public sentiments that shape opposing party and juror perception of transportation clients and their teams. We aim to present theories, approaches, and tools to combat real and perceived prejudices against transportation clients in order to secure fair, just, and equitable results in all matters.
Moderator:
Bryan Nelson, Partner, Taylor Nelson, Clearwater, FL
Panelists:
Kristen Johnson, CLO, Cargomatic, Safety Harbor, FL
Greg Reed, Executive Director and Counsel, National Star Route Mail Contractors Association (NSRMCA), Washington, DC
Melissa Richardson, Managing Member, Richardson Law Group, PLLC, Lexington, KY
This Panel will provide valuable perspective, insight, and guidance on the employment law challenges faced everyday by trucking companies in the employment of drivers and how those challenges interplay with the unique nature and inherent risks of running a trucking company. This expert panel will discuss how to manage the largest assets a trucking company has: its human capital. This presentation will take on the most common, difficult matters such as: keeping drivers retained and happy while providing needed progressive discipline; terminating drivers; providing accommodations and leave requests; and complying with federal and multi-state employment laws while still complying with federal regulatory standards and meeting company objectives.
Moderator:
Shannon Wheeler, Tenstreet, Tulsa, OK
Panelists:
Carole McAfee Wallace, Gardiner Roberts LLP, Toronto, ON
Shannon Butler, Montgomery Transport, LLC, Birmingham, AL
Elle Slattery, Taylor Nelson PL, Winter Haven, FL
This panel of seasoned in-house counsel will provide invaluable advice to external counsel who seek to anticipate and answer the differing requirements of their General Counsel clients. From tips on budgeting in phases, to understanding the business pressures imposed upon General Counsel who may answer to business units, executives, or directors this panel is designed to help land the first file, to expand upon legal services already provided, and importantly to withstand the pressure from competitors.
Moderator:
Joelle Nelson, Partner, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, Houston, TX
Panelists:
Daniel Sbanotto, VP-Legal, Uber Freight, Rogers, AR
Coby Page, Chief Legal Officer, MegaCorp Logistics LLC, Wilmington, NC
Agenda TBD
More information can be found on the Committee Meetings Tab
Friday, May 3
Wednesday, May 1 – 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2 – 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3 – 7:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 – 7:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Cybersecurity is a strategic business enterprise risk. Double extortion ransomware is the latest iteration of cybercrime that keeps the C-suite up at night. The gaps in your privacy program are laid bare in a ransomware situation. What do you do when your IT director calls and tells you your network has been encrypted and there is a ransom note demanding $500,000? Did the threat actor exfiltrate data? Do you contact the threat actor, and how do you negotiate? What do you tell your customers and employees while you try to get your network running again? When do you call law enforcement? How long will your forensic investigation take? Will the attorney general knock on your door? Join our expert panel as they discuss the people, processes, and technology needed to improve your chances of not becoming the next ransomware tale.
Moderator:
Scott Carey, Baker Donelson, Nashville, TN
Panelists:
Justin Daniels, Shareholder, Baker Donelson, Atlanta, GA
Troy M. Bettencourt, Partner & Global Head, IBM X-Force
Christian Nieves, Supervisory Special Agent (SSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Juan, PR
Different presenters will provide updates on leading case law and legislative developments across different regions concerning the ocean, air, road and rail carriage of goods and related logistics services.
Moderator:
Gordon Hearn, Partner, Gardiner Roberts, Toronto, ON
Panelists:
Marc Blubaugh, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, LLP, Columbus, OH
Robin Squires, Partner, Borden, Ladner, Gervais, Toronto, ON
Robert LeDoux, Jr., VP, General Counsel & Corp Sec’y, Florida East Coast Railway, Jacksonville, FL
Callie A. Castillo, Shareholder, Lane Powell, Seattle, WA
An in-depth analysis of lessons learned from defending high exposure and catastrophic claims and what tools can be implemented to coordinate discovery efforts and prepare transportation entities for a successful defense, including through the time of trial. This analysis will begin from preparation before any incident occurs. This presentation will address: 1) The need to identify a consistent defense story; 2) How to on how handle the judgmental eye of the public; 3) How to balance the competing needs for drivers with the need for skilled professionals; and, 4) The need for a cooperative tri-partite relationship between client, attorney, and insurer/broker to set the claim up for success.
Moderator:
Stephanie Chesney, Cozen O’Connor, Boston, MA
Panelists:
Alycen Moss, Vice Chair, Global Insurance Department, Cozen O’Connor
Geoff Beck, Senior Counsel, Risk Management, U.S. Xpress, Inc.
Panelists will discuss resolution of detention and demurrage disputes in the context of highly increased claims; new legislation and rulemaking; and business considerations.
Moderator/Panelist:
Steve Block, Shareholder, Lane Powell, Seattle, WA
Panelists:
Dr. Marco Remiorz, Deputy Managing Partner, Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein, Hamburg, Germany
Stephen Uthoff, Managing Shareholder, The Uthoff Law Corporation
More information can be found on the Committee Meetings Tab
Saturday, May 4
Wednesday, May 1 – 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 2 – 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3 – 7:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 – 7:30 – 12:30 p.m.
This panel discussion will explain the importance of the NTSB investigation: the process, what it accomplishes, and the end-results. The panel members will explain the benefits of a good working relationship with the NTSB’s investigators and its general counsel and explain how to leverage relationships to provide an advantage to your client. Additionally, the panel will discuss the statutory framework behind the NTSB and the challenges and opportunities presented during the investigation process when litigation is contemplated by one or more of the parties. Finally, the panel will discuss litigation strategies and evidentiary considerations for litigation arising in connection with an NTSB investigation.
Moderator:
Latasha Johnson, Ehrenstein Sager, Coral Gables, FL
Panelists:
Benjamin Allen, Holland & Knight, Washington, D.C.
Thomas W. Tobin, Wilson Elser, White Plains, NY
Discussion of the regulatory framework of the Jones Act, its impact on ocean freight destined for Puerto Rico and the region and other regulatory regimes in effect.
Moderator:
Eyck O. Lugo Rivera, Partner, EDGE Legal, San Juan, PR
Panelists:
Jacob Wegrzyn, Vice President Caribbean, Trailer Bridge, Inc.
When facing tectonic developments like new regulations, seismic geopolitical shifts, game-changing technologies, global pandemics, and unpredictable economic change – to name a few – motor carriers and brokers have devised ways to conquer these challenges. Whether through multiple acquisitions for growth, or the development of new technology, or creative contractual, corporate structure or risk management strategies, these players in the transportation industry have identified different ways to succeed, prosper and grow. While much of transportation counsel’s role involves litigation, claims, and disputes – another portion of counsel’s role involves transactional aspects, public and private equity reporting, corporate structure and governance, due diligence for M&A transactions, and the legal aspects of integration thereafter. The speakers will discuss all aspects – practical, strategic, legal, and economic – of those transactional components, of the practice. Insights will be provided for when the time is right – or not right – for acquisitions, exit strategies, full-blown combinations, and bolt-ons for focused growth. The panel will also explain the demands of integration post-merger, including protecting intellectual property, personnel issues, and strategies to protect cash flow and manage risk. Additionally, the panel will also provide a walk-thru on due diligence processes and procedures for any acquisition, and provide targeted transportation contracting tips, for contracting with shippers and freight intermediaries, and regulatory and corporate structure tips to minimize risk. Our speakers will include senior executives of motor carriers, along with M&A specialists.
Moderator:
Peter Shelton, Partner, Benesch, Cleveland, OH
Panelists:
Brian Lipson, Associate, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Québec City, QC
Meghan Meurer, The Tenney Group, Franklin, TN
Erin O’Brien, Partner, Benesch, Chicago, IL
This panel will feature a discussion on the new reality of Artificial Intelligence in the context in the practice of law. While presenting certain advantages, the new reality promises to pose challenges to the ethical practice of law and compliance with professional standards.
Moderator:
Eliseo Roques-Arroyo, Managing Partner, EDGE Legal, San Juan, PR
Panelists:
Manuel San Juan, Principal, Law Offices of Manuel San Juan, Old San Juan, PR