Publication Details
Transportation Brief: Buyers Be Diligent
by Gregory M. Feary, Kathryne S. Feary-Gardner, Jay D. Robinson, Jr.
May 22, 2018
When considering the acquisition of a motor carrier operation, a number of due diligence matters specific to transportation should be analyzed, including licensure, permitting and an analysis of federal or state regulatory regimes applicable to the motor carrier. If the target carrier utilizes an independent contractor work-force, understanding and assessing those relationships within the unique transportation fact-pattern are critical. The assessment for regulatory compliance of the independent contractor agreement and for areas of exposure given state law precedent and statutory exemptions based on contractor domiciles are both key to structuring a proper merger or acquisition. Equally important is consideration of post-acquisition restructuring when certain exposures have been identified during the due diligence process. The transaction often occurs in a rapidly changing legal environment where sensitivity to proposed legislative changes and recent common law precedent impacting transportation operations may be pivotal to an investment decision.
Scopelitis’ Transportation Brief® is intended as a report to our clients and friends on developments affecting the transportation industry. The published material does not constitute an exhaustive legal study and should not be regarded or relied upon as individual legal advice or opinion.
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Transportation Brief: My Driver Filed an Unemployment Claim Where? Jurisdiction as a Defense to State Unemployment Claims and Worker Misclassification Challenges
by Steven A. Pletcher , Rebecca S. TrennerDetermining where to report unemployment tax is not only important for employee fleets, but it is also an important potential tool for defending state unemployment tax worker misclassification challenges. Read more here. -
Transportation Brief: Eleventh Circuit Upholds Downstream Carrier’s Limitation of Liability
by Kathleen C. JeffriesThe Eleventh Circuit, in Essex Insurance v. Barrett Moving & Storage, reversed summary judgment against Landstar by upholding standing law that shippers are bound by liability limitations established between an intermediary and a carrier, notwithstanding the shipper’s claim that it was not aware that Barrett brokered the load. Read more here. -
Transportation Brief: Full Enforcement of the ELD Mandate Commences
Previously, ELD violations, though listed on roadside inspection reports and sometimes prompting fines, did not result in out-of-service orders or negatively impact a motor carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores. Now, drivers who are subject to the ELD mandate and found to be operating without a device will be placed out of service for 10 hours. Read more here.
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Transportation Brief: Warehouse Chargebacks
by Caroline D. Milner , Kevin M. PhillipsChargebacks are most common in the retail industry, but they have application in other industries as well. Read more here. -
Transportation Brief: Spotlight on Unemployment Tax Practice
by Steven A. Pletcher , Rebecca S. TrennerState unemployment tax remains one of many misclassification battlefronts for motor carriers and other transportation companies utilizing equipment or services provided by independent contractors (IC). Members of Scopelitis' Unemployment Tax team offers a unique set of experiences and thought leadership regarding these matters. Read more here. -
Transportation Brief: For the Record Spring 2018
We are pleased to announce that Michael Reed has joined the Firm’s Chicago office. Michael joins the Personal Injury, Property Damage, and Cargo Claims practice group.
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Scopelitis attorneys are often invited to participate in meetings with transportation industry leaders. Learn more about their trips this quarter.
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