Moving goods and people across land, sea and air is a complex undertaking in the 21st century. National security, safety and environmental concerns have increased regulation. Technological innovations have accelerated the need to modernize. And the costs of regulatory compliance and infrastructure improvements have escalated.

Venable’s transportation attorneys operate where government and commerce intersect. We have in-depth knowledge of new and emerging commercial matters affecting multimodal transportation businesses and logistics providers. We also have thorough knowledge of the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in Washington.

This multi-faceted understanding enables us to provide astute counsel to clients on a full range of legal, regulatory, legislative and policy concerns. We go beyond helping clients meet compliance obligations—we enable them to participate in the regulatory and legislative process and understand the agencies that make the rules.

We are also called upon to advise companies and local and state governments on all types of transportation infrastructure projects.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES

Industry experience and lobbying skills that remove roadblocks for operators.

The attorneys who lead our team have decades of experience in the government and as leaders in the private sector. As former leaders in Congress and federal and state transportation agencies, we’re able to plan and execute strategies that result in legislative action, agency rule makings and regulatory approvals that move projects and programs from the planning stage to operation. We represent virtually all modes of transportation—from airlines and trucking companies to freight forwarders, maritime companies and shippers.

Help at every step in the global supply chain.

Our work touches all aspects of the supply chain—from commercial concerns at the foreign point of origin to regulatory compliance requirements affecting the deconsolidation of an international shipment to the routing to the ultimate U.S. purchaser. We know the complexities of today’s transportation environment. And we know how to create efficient transportation solutions.

• We assist clients with “master service agreements,” whereby larger shippers look to one 3PL (third-party logistics providers) to manage and provide transportation service across all modes.
• Venable helps solve regulatory issues throughout the European Union, Latin America and Asia. For example, we have guided clients in complying with the People’s Republic of China’s rules governing 3PLs engaged in ocean transportation.
• We assist companies with the U.S. export control requirements overseen by the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, State and Treasury. We are familiar with the issues affecting all types of international shipments, from “ex works” deals to “routed export transactions.”

Helping public-private partnerships build infrastructure across the country.

Venable has advised private sector clients as well as public agencies in the development of public-private partnerships in transportation infrastructure, including bridge, highway and transit projects. The Venable P3 team has helped structure equity and debt financing for private developers of such projects in jurisdictions across the country and advised on ways to overcome the federal and state regulatory, environmental, tax and financing hurdles that too often delay or frustrate projects. Examples range from toll roads in Texas to transit projects in Virginia.

Working in every facet of the auto industry nationwide.

Venable’s automotive industry attorneys represent auto industry players in litigation and transactions work across the country. We have been part of the industry for years, and we have worked through every industry issue with every type of industry player.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Winning the 10-year environmental battle to build Utah’s Legacy Parkway.

Venable guided the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) through the maze of environmental issues involved in approval of the Legacy Parkway along the Great Salt Lake.

Led by a former head of environmental enforcement at the U.S. Department of Justice, a Venable team advised UDOT on its Environmental Impact Statement and helped obtain wetlands and other permits. We also took the lead in litigation that led to a landmark settlement with the Sierra Club, National Audubon Society and other environmental organizations.

Building Public-Private Partnerships in Texas.

Venable has advised a major developer of P3 projects in the successful negotiation of a public-private partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation to finance, construct, maintain and operate State Highway 130 Segments 5&6 and on the negotiation of a Comprehensive Development Agreement with TxDOT for the Interstate 69 corridor. The Venable P3 team brought together the necessary expertise from the finance, construction and regulatory practice groups needed to get the job done.

Gaining new contracting authority for BAX Global Inc.

We assisted BAX with transportation regulatory issues overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Shipping Act requirements, enforcement inquires, ocean service contracts and air cargo security requirements. For example, BAX was one of the leading 3PLs seeking new private-contract authority requiring FMC approval. Today, this new authority is used by 3PLs to meet the demands of global shippers for confidential rates and integration of multimodal services.

Helping an airline respond to the Department of Homeland Security.

Venable assisted a major airline in responding to a DHS proposal to require all airlines to shoulder the responsibility for recording and reporting the departure of foreign visitors from the U.S.

Responding to Federal Aviation Administration regulatory matters.

Venable attorneys have assisted aircraft operators, airports and commercial real estate developers in responding to the entire gamut of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulatory activities, including rulemakings, investigations and enforcement actions.

Providing federal, state and local assistance for regional transit projects.

Venable represented the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico before the Federal Transit Administration, the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the Office of the Inspector General on matters related to Phase I of Tren Urbano ("Urban Train"), a $2.28 billion, 11-mile heavy rail system in San Juan.  Similarly, Venable represents the private consortium led by Bechtel Corporation partnering with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in the design and construction of the $4 billion extension of the Washington DC area Metrorail to Tysons Corner and Dulles Airport.

Guiding transportation infrastructure projects nationwide.

Venable has represented clients on major transportation development projects across the country and in Puerto Rico, including projects in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Venable’s comprehensive understanding of the needs of intermodal transportation businesses and the regulatory and policy priorities of governments and agencies enable us to provide skilled, insightful advice to private and public sector clients, public-private partnerships and trade associations. Whether the project or matter involves land, sea or air transportation, Venable can help you understand and address all the accompanying policy, regulatory and legislative issues.