Modern economies depend upon the successful movement of people and goods within the United States and around the world. In order to participate and compete in the global marketplace, companies must be able to successfully navigate complex transport networks and routes, both unimodal and multimodal, by air, sea, and land.
While the goal of most transportation undertakings is relatively straightforward: get goods or passengers from Point A to Point B, the process is complex and vulnerable to uncertainties. Transport matters are subject to a vast array of state, federal, and international laws and regulations—not just the laws of Points A and B, but also of the jurisdictions being transited. Transport involves unique commercial contracts and financing arrangements. Accidents occur, as do changes in plans. Today, transporters and shippers face rising energy costs, environmental restrictions, trade sanctions, and serious security risks. Transportation has arguably become one of the most demanding areas of legal practice.
At Cozen O’Connor, we recognize the specialized nature of transportation and logistics and how essential it is to businesses domestically and worldwide. Whereas many law firms may have a few lawyers who have some transportation experience, Cozen O’Connor offers a premier national and international transportation practice made up of dozens of lawyers knowledgeable in every aspect of transportation and logistics law, from regulation and litigation to finance and commercial issues.
Key members of our transport and logistics group have served as advisors to major U.S. and international maritime, aviation, and intermodal transport companies for decades. Through our network of 19 offices across the U.S., we provide clients with integrated legal services on a full range matters. We know the relevant regulatory regimes, from domestic and international economic and safety rules to transport sector competition laws. In fact, members of our group helped create the statutes that now govern U.S. liner shipping, fisheries management, and aviation.
We routinely advise clients on their most important transactional matters, including acquisitions, complex financings, and commercial contracts. Cozen O’Connor attorneys have handled billions of dollars in vessel, offshore energy, and equipment financings. We have advised on more ocean transportation service contracts than any other law firm in the world. Furthermore, Cozen O’Connor is a renowned business litigation firm. We represent clients in matters before state and federal courts, federal and state administrative agencies, and international and domestic arbitration panels. Our work includes commercial disputes, government civil and criminal enforcement matters, antitrust and sanctions cases, insurance and accident-related claims, and environmental pollution litigation.
Because trade is a global activity, a large part of the transportation practice is international. We represent numerous foreign-based companies in the transportation and logistics fields. We interact regularly with foreign governments and multinational organizations on behalf of transport industry clients and associations on legal and policy issues. We have a broad network of non-U.S. law firms that call on us, and upon whom we call, to address client needs. Members of Cozen O’Connor are well versed in foreign treaties and legal regimes and have testified as experts on maritime and aviation law in proceedings before foreign tribunals.
Our practice is also distinguished by the fact that we represent many groups of transportation and logistics companies in the formation of joint ventures, trade associations, and other cooperative undertakings. That work not only leverages our significant experience in the competition law field, but it also provides our transportation and logistics lawyers with a broad perspective on the transportation industry, giving us valuable insight into nascent trends and liabilities.
Finally, Cozen O’Connor attorneys know not just the regulatory side of transportation and logistics, but the business side as well. We understand that our job is to collaborate with clients to design practical, timely, and cost-effective solutions that succeed in the marketplace and satisfy business imperatives. After all, a legal strategy unmoored from business reality is no strategy at all.
SERVICES
Maritime
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Advise on maritime economic, safety, and environmental regulations
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Negotiate maritime financing, including asset-based finance, commercial or government-guaranteed debt, leasing, and complex securitizations
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Counsel clients on maritime industry antitrust/competition laws, trade sanctions, and export controls
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Arrange mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, business alliances, and consortia
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Design equipment and vessel pools
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Negotiate and draft ratemaking and information exchange agreements; vessel time, voyage, bareboat and space charters; logistics, inland transport, and related contracts
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Provide government contracts advice and litigation services
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Counsel on cabotage, citizenship, and vessel flag requirements
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Negotiate and draft towage and salvage contracts, and dredging contracts
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Advise on passenger cruise line and ferry transport matters
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Handle fisheries and commercial arrangements
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Counsel on environmental liabilities and litigation
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Lead maritime bankruptcy, insolvency, and workouts
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Advocate before federal, state, and local government on maritime issues
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Support forwarding and logistics needs
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Conduct arbitrations in domestic and foreign venues
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Litigate in state and federal courts and before regulatory agencies
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Provide guidance on employment and labor issues.
Aviation
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Represent clients in regulatory and enforcement matters relating to passenger and cargo transport before federal agencies
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Counsel on international treaties and agreements governing economic relations and routes
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Advise on legislative issues before Congress
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Provide strategic guidance on environmental and noise regulations
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Handle litigation before arbitration panels, courts, boards of contract appeals, federal agencies
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Lead sales and acquisitions of airlines and aircraft, including finance and leasing matters
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Make arrangements with airports, ground handlers, and agents
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Counsel on trade sanctions, export controls, and aviation competition/antitrust laws
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Lead accident litigation
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Support forwarding and logistics needs
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Handle aviation bankruptcy, insolvency and workouts
Intermodal and Logistics
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Federal and state economic and safety regulation
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Environmental and pollution liabilities and regulation
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Equipment pools, interchange agreements and leases
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Intermodal transport, logistics and warehousing documentation
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Obligations and liabilities from intermodal carriage
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Mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures
CLIENTS
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Cargo and passenger shipping companies
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Offshore energy producers, including drilling, production and wind
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Towage and salvage companies
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Dredging companies
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Cruise lines and ferry companies
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Offshore drilling contractors, energy producers, and offshore support providers
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Terminals and construction companies
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Forwarders and brokers
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Fisheries entities
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Equipment pools and providers
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Trade associations
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Financial institutions, investors, insurers
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Commercial, general, and military aircraft manufacturers
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International, domestic, regional, and charter airlines
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Aircraft lessors and lessees
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Fixed-based operators and flight schools
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Aviation maintenance and repair facilities
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Casino and resort developers
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Airports and airport operators
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Municipal governments
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Corporate and private aircraft owners
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Logistics companies, forwarders, and brokers
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Intermodal and surface transport providers
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Users of truck and rail services
TEAM
The firm’s Transportation and Logistics group is a recognized leader in the field. The group and individual members have received the highest ranking from Chambers and Partners, as well as from other respected ratings organizations. One of Cozen O’Connor’s most senior attorneys was recently inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to the maritime field. Our attorneys have served on U.S. delegations to negotiate and implement bilateral and international transportation and security agreements, and the group includes registered lobbyists who advocate on technology, homeland security, procurement, appropriations, competitive sourcing, transportation, and trade. Many of our attorneys have valuable prior government experience with federal transportation, finance, energy, and international affairs agencies and departments, as well as on congressional staffs. Members of the group have authored key reference works and regularly lecture on topics of interest to the transport and logistics industry.
At Cozen O’Connor, we are not simply thinking about clients’ immediate needs, but also about larger industry dynamics and where the industry is moving. We combine legal acumen, industry know-how, and business savvy to secure successes for clients today and tomorrow.