1/20/2021 - 1/22/2021

Virtual via Zoom


Program Schedule

All times are Central Standard Time.

*The scheduled has been updated for Friday, January 22nd at 3:30 p.m.  The panel, titled "Perspective" will be moderated by Jason Orleans with Keith Dunlap, Lea Kapral and Tammy Warn speaking.  See website for more details.  

Wednesday, January 20

Thursday, January 21

Friday, January 22

1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Introduction and Welcome
This year’s Boot Camp Program Chairs will introduce TLA’s President and the Program Chairs for the Chicago Regional Seminar.
 
Presenter(s): Boot Camp Co-Chairs and Moderators:
John C. Lane, Founder, Law Offices of John C. Lane, Sparta, NJ and New York, NY
William B. Pentecost Jr., Partner, Cipriani & Werner, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA
                                                                       
Speakers:
John F. Wilcox Jr., TLA President, Shareholder, Dysart Taylor Cotter & McMonigle, P.C, Kansas City, MO
Jason Orleans, Chicago Regional Co-Chair, Orleans Canty Novy, LLC, Chicago, IL
Thomas C. Martin, Chicago Regional Co-Chair, Principal, Price, Meese, Shulman & D’Arminio, P.C., Woodcliff Lake, NJ
 
1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Maritime Law: A Basic Introduction for LandLubbing Lawyers
This panel will explore the unique aspects of admiralty and maritime law as compared to more familiar terrestrial law, with a focus on how the “Law of the Sea” can find its way into what, at first blush, appears to be a simple land-based casualty or cargo claim.
 
Presenter(s): William B. Pentecost Jr., Partner, Cipriani & Werner, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA
J. Stephen Kennedy, Regional Managing Partner, Wilson Elser, Jackson, MS
 
Panelists:
Dustin M. Paul, Partner, Vandeventer Black, LLP, Norfolk, VA
John C. Lane, Founder, Law Offices of John C. Lane, Sparta, NJ and New York, NY
 
2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
An Introduction to Intermodal Transportation
This session will explore the concept of multi-model, or intermodal, transportation and how international shipments typically use several modes of transportation to timely and safely deliver cargo.
 
Presenter(s): William B. Pentecost Jr., Partner, Cipriani & Werner, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA
J. Stephen Kennedy, Regional Managing Partner, Wilson Elser, Jackson, MS
 
Panelists:                                                     
John C. Lane, Founder, Law Offices of John C. Lane, Sparta, NJ and New York, NY
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Examination of Legal Implications of Operational and Technological Developments in the Railroad Industry
The panelists will examine the legal implications of recent operational and technological developments in the rail industry, with an emphasis on how shipments by rail fit within the scope of intermodal transportation.
 
Presenter(s): John C. Lane, Founder, Law Offices of John C. Lane, Sparta, NJ and New York, NY
William B. Pentecost Jr., Partner, Cipriani & Werner, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA
 
Panelists:
John K. Fiorilla, Partner, Dyer & Peterson, P.C., Parsippany, NJ
Greg E. Summy, Retired Deputy General Counsel, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Norfolk, VA
 
3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
A Survey of Motor Carrier Regulation: Then and Now
The modern motor carrier industry has, like all businesses, gone through major changes in its history, operationally, technologically, and by way of regulation. The panelists will trace the regulation of motor carriers from the ICC to the FMCSA.
 
 
Moderator: J. Stephen Kennedy, Regional Managing Partner, Wilson Elser, Jackson, MS
Presenter(s): Panelists:
Bridgette Blitch, Shareholder, Blitch Westley Barrette, S.C., Windermere, FL
John C. Lane, Esq., Founder, Law Offices of John C. Lane, Sparta, NJ and New York, NY
Meghan Litecky, Attorney, Dysart Taylor Cotter McMonigle & Montemore, P.C., Kansas City, MO
William B. Pentecost Jr., Partner, Cipriani & Werner, P.C., Pittsburgh, PA
 
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Open Forum/Questions and Answers
12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Opening Remarks, Introduction of Speakers

 
Presenter(s): John F. Wilcox Jr., Shareholder/Director, Dysart, Taylor, Cotter, McMonigle & Montemore, P.C. Transportation Lawyers Association President, Kansas City, MO
Thomas C. Martin, Principal, Price Meese Shulman & D’Arminio, P.C., Woodcliff Lake, NJ                                      Jason Orleans, Partner, Orleans Canty Novy, LLC, Chicago, IL
12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Self Introductions
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
“Independence” Contractor Day!
Boldly declare your knowledge of the current hot topic of independent contractor law, misclassification, and other important areas of law.  This is sure to light some fireworks. The area of independent contractors is one of the areas of law highly impacted by the various individual states as opposed to most of the transportation law which is normally governed by national or international law and standards.  Attendees will certainly learn more about this highly topical and very changeable area of law.
 
Presenter(s): William Taylor, Partner, Hanson Bridgette, Sacramento, CA
Jennifer Martinez, Partner, Hanson Bridgette, Sacramento, CA
Robert Roginson, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins, Los Angeles, CA
Stephanie S. Penninger, Senior Director, Legal Counsel, XPO Logistics, Charlotte, NC
 
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
“To Contract or Not to Contract . . . That is the Question”
Bill Bierman, Price, Meese, Shulman & D’Arminio, P.C. and Hank Seaton, Seaton & Husk, will provide a certainly informative presentation on this industry question along with presenter Patrick Foppe, Lashly & Baer, P.C.  Learn the ins and outs and the practical application of contracts between various parties in the field.  This presentation on contracts and terms is a must-see for carriers, brokers, and 3PLs, as well as other industry professionals. 
 
Presenter(s): William Bierman, Partner, Price, Meese, Shulman & D’Arminio, P.C., Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Hank Seaton, Partner, Law Offices of Seaton & Husk, Nashville, TN
Patrick Foppe, Member, Lashly & Baer, P.C., St. Louis, MO
 
2:15 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.
Break
2:25 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.
COVID-19: The Pandemic’s Unprecedented Impact on the Transportation Industry
No one needs to be reminded that we are in a “new normal.”  What does that look like for the transportation and logistics industry? Gain keen insights from all angles. What are the problems caused by the pandemic for the industry?  What are the solutions?  Can anything good come of this for the future of transportation and logistics?
 
Moderator: Daniel Sonneborn, Associate, Pretik Flaherty, Boston, MA
Presenter(s): Andrew Boyle, Co-President, Boyle Transportation, Billerica, MA
Daniel Sbanotto, Associate Counsel, Transplace, Lowell, AR
Lisa Stephenson, Vice President and General Counsel, CRST International, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA
 
3:10 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.
The Broker’s Role in Cargo Damage Claims in the 21st Century
This “bread and butter” topic is something our membership addresses on a near daily basis.  This panel brings its experience and expertise to the fore.  In these changeable times, the issue of cargo damage claims remains the same – or does it?  New laws, new regulations, and new case law repeatedly impact the landscape of cargo claims and broker affiliations.  This is the panel to see for the most recent developments impacting the transportation industry. 
 
Moderator: Marshal M. Pitchford, Partner, DiCaudo, Pitchford & Yoder, Akron, OH
Presenter(s): Megan Early-Soppa, Associate Attorney, Moseley Marcinak Law Group, Greenville, SC
Jason Engkjer, Partner, Lommen Abdo Law Firm, Minneapolis, MN
Patrick Bobo, Director, Associate General Counsel, Coyote Logistics, Chattanooga, TN

 
 
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
State of Civil Practice - Special Guest Speaker: Presiding Magistrate Judge Sheila Finnegan
Judge Finnegan brings her wisdom from the bench regarding the state of civil practice, discovery, motions, trials, and settlement conferences to TLA for a lunch and learn presentation.   Join us for this unique opportunity to gain insights from Judge Finnegan into the current climate of civil practice and gather perspective to take back to your offices and apply to your everyday practice.
 
Presenter(s): Presiding Magistrate Judge Sheila Finnegan
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
F4 What? FAAAA Preemption as It Relates to Casualty Claims
Recently courts have been grappling with the preemptive effect of federal law over trucking casualty claims against brokers and shippers.  Is this defense a flash in the pan or does it have traction?  Is this the beginning of the end of broker/shipper liability for casualty claims?  Learn from experts on the front lines of this emerging defense. 
 
Moderator: Chad Sizemore, Shareholder, Shareholder-in-Charge of Cincinnati Office, Roetzel, Cincinnati, OH
Presenter(s): Ian Culver, Partner, Booth, LLP, Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Dennis, Partner, Clark Hill Strasburger, San Antonio, TX
Bradley Bertkau, Partner, Orleans Canty Novy LLC, Chicago, IL
 
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Biden Administration Trade Policy: Where do we go from here?
This panel examines the current state of global trade after 4 years of a Trump administration “America First” trade policy and a global pandemic.  While Biden has indicated that his administration will focus on COVID and economic downturn, it will undoubtedly be faced with issues raised by Trump’s novel approach of weaponizing tariffs most notably against China and Europe.  In addition, the implementation of the NAFTA rewrite – the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – will be in full swing and there will be strong pressure for enforcement especially on labor and the environment.  What about Biden’s promise to work with allies?  And what about future free trade agreements?  Hear from Dr. Phil Levy, Chief Economist from Flexport on global trends, Alejandro Seimandi Garcia, founder of Garcia Seimandi Asociados, S.C., a boutique firm specializing in customs and trade matters, on the Mexican reaction and Louis Amato-Gauci, partner at Miller Thomson LLP (Toronto) and Co-Chair of the firm’s Transportation and Logistics team, on what Canadians think.  Evelyn Suarez, Founder and Principal of the Suarez Firm PLLC (a boutique specializing in customs and trade) will moderate the discussion.

 
Moderator: Evelyn M. Suarez, Partner, The Suarez Firm, Washington, D.C.
Presenter(s): Louis Amato-Gauci, Partner, Miller Thomson, LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alejandro Garcia Seimandi, Garcia Seimandi and Associates S.C., Mexico City, Mexico
Phil Levy, Chief Economist, Flexport, San Francisco, CA
 
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Break
2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Intersection between Casualty Claims and Recent Technological Advances
Technology is here. From the days of ECM and Vorad to ELD and cameras, transportation companies have benefited from technology in vehicles. But technology also leads to new legal issues that practitioners must be prepared to manage. From products liability claims against technology providers to direct negligence claims spawned by retained data to rethinking the summary judgment standard, technology has forced adaptation in the law. This panel will explore these issues to leave attorneys equipped to face the brave new world.
 
Moderator: Fredric Marcinak, Partner, Moseley Marcinak Law Group, Greenville, SC
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Bass, Member, Walters Richardson PLLC, Nashville, TN
Kevin Branch, Founding Partner, McNickle, Kurey & Branch, LLP,    Alpharetta, GA
 
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Perspective
Perspective is everything:  What defense counsel must know from the viewpoint of the client, the insurer and the TPA.   Relationships are important and lead to “success” through communication, understanding, and partnership.  What are they looking for from their counsel?  Join us for an engaging & informative discussion.  
 
Moderator: Jason Orleans, Partner, Orleans Canty Novy, LLC, Chicago, IL
Presenter(s): Keith Dunlap, Senior Vice President, Transportation Practice Leader, Gallagher Bassett – Transportation, Scottsdale, AZ
Lea Kapral, General Manager of Central Claims, Acuity Insurance, Sheboygan, WI
Tammy Warn, Litigation Department Manager, Superior Risk Management, Pleasanton, CA
 
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
An Update on Creditor’s Rights in Bankruptcy Actions
Bankruptcy and liquidation of entities, large and small, is a reality that touches on all forms of commercial litigation, especially during these unpredictable times, including the rights, claims and defenses of entities engaged in shipping, transportation, and logistics.  Hear from the experts on this unique area of federal law so as to best protect your clients’ interests and claims in Bankruptcy Court, as well as in the cross-border context.
 
Moderator: Rick Steinberg, Of Counsel, Price, Meese, Schulman & D’Arminio, P.C., Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Presenter(s): Pierre-Olivier Menard Dumas, Partner, Stein Monast, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Carlos Sesma, Jr., Principal, Sesma, Sesma & McNeese, S.C., Mexico, DF, Mexico                                                  Derek Goodman, Corporate Counsel, Expeditors International of Washington, Inc., Seattle, WA
Kate Ballengee, Counsel & Director of Business Development, Metro Group Maritime, New York, NY