When it comes to innovation, “if I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses,” is an infamous quote often linked to Henry Ford. This claim nicely encapsulates the quandary organizations face when trying to innovate. Customers and professionals generally aren’t always aware of new technologies or solutions that can lead…
The North Carolina General Assembly recently witnessed a significant update this September, according to a report by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP. KTS Strategies, a branch of the firm with extensive experience in various industries, is known for its comprehensive policy and advocacy advice across federal, state, and local agencies. In North Carolina, they provide…
In a recent development, the Federal Arbitration Act’s (FAA) “Transportation Worker” exemption has not been deemed applicable to contracts between businesses. According to a report published on JD Supra, this results from a dispute that occurred between Amazon and one of its “delivery service partners.” Amazon, post this dispute, sought to compel arbitration following an…
In an essential update regarding employment practices and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an emerging legal shift has been observed in the Midwest United States. Employers working in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin have a new regulation to contend with: accommodating an employee’s transportation issues if they stem from a disability. This new obligation arises…
In a recent turn of events, U.S trucking entities TA Dedicated, Inc., conducting business under the name Transport America, and TForce TL Holdings USA, Inc., also known as Transportation Enterprise Services, have been accused of contravening federal laws by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The federal agency’s allegations include claims that the companies indulged…
In a recent development, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Trico Transportation Services, Inc. The logistics management and specialty hauling company has been accused of violating federal law by declining a job seeker due to his prior history of back pain. The commission alleges that the company wrongfully rescinded…
In response to the landmark US Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers, have published a final rule effective as of September 8, 2023. This new directive, aptly referred to as the Sackett rule, provides a concrete definition of the term ‘waters of…
The federal government has recently released highly anticipated guidance on the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act requirements encompassed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58; IIJA). The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published its definitive BABA guidance on August 14, 2023, taking effect as of October 23, 2023. This…
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently announced a Final Rule that it deems the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule. This long-anticipated final rule elucidates policies of power for the ‘Section 401’ of the Clean Water Act, providing insights into the ways environmental authorities mandate water quality. Here…
Following the recent expiry of the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) labor contracts with the “Detroit Three” automakers on September 14, 2023, employers in the manufacturing sector and others within the automotive supplier network are faced with the task of ensuring compliance with immigration rules amidst a turbulent strike situation. After negotiations broke down between the…
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois has recently dealt another blow to those hoping to find new ways to defend against lawsuits filed under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The ruling took place during this summer in the Lewis v. Maverick Transportation case. In a decisive four-page ruling, Judge Rosenstengel…
Earlier this year, law firm Cravath astonished the industry by significantly raising associate pay, but it soon comes clear that not all associates have been enjoying this bounty equally. As it emerges, the exact location of an associate can significantly affect how far they can stretch their salaries. The American Lawyer undertook an intense study,…
In a recent legal primer, Benesch brings attention to the crucial role of private transportation and logistics services in enabling many government agencies to fulfill their critical mission. From this perspective, the General Services Administration (GSA) frequently assumes the lead role, managing private procurement of these services. Full understanding of the GSA and Department of…
In an important move, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has decided to suspend a rule that permits the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail. This move, which will be effective from October 31, 2023, targets a regulation implemented during the Trump administration, which facilitated the transportation of LNG in large quantities by…
In a pivotal legal development, the Supreme Court has broadened the scope of general jurisdiction concerning out-of-state defendants. Highlighted in the case of Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., the move represents a noteworthy shift in jurisdictional regulations. These changes directly impact defendants who have been served with a summons for a legal proceeding in…
There is a clear necessity for legal professionals dealing with interstate motor carriage to have a thorough grasp of the legal principles relating to the Carmack Amendment. Misconceptions about its implications abound, and these can present significant hurdles during both contractual negotiations and the resolution of cargo claims. As reported by Benesch, elementary inquiries about…
In the last half-year, a surge of activity has been observed within the realm of electric vehicle (EV) charging, a wave of change spurred by the implementation of electric vehicle deployment plans going into effect under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL’s) NEVI Program across the states. As reported by Foley Hoag LLP, a legal firm…
In the realm of international law, air carrier liability provisions continue to undergo rigorous evaluations. Dating back to the inception of air travel technology, international conventions dictate the course of air carrier liability. Fundamentally, two primary regimes have carved noteworthy roles in this business: The Warsaw System and The Montreal Agreement. In 1919, we started…
As the construction industry readies itself for another year of operational complexities, Arizona businesses are eyeing this year’s annual Construction Sales Tax Seminar with anticipation. Slated for October 26, from 9:00 am to 2:45 pm MST, the seminar will be delivered as a webinar, enabling participants from across the state and beyond to tap into…
Welcome to the September 2023 edition of ‘The On-Ramp’, a newsletter dedicated to exploring the legal and policy developments in the world of autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, emerging mobility technologies, and electrification. This newsletter, curated by Venable’s Autonomous and Connected Mobility team, keeps a keen eye on the latest happenings around these topics, from the…
In the ever-evolving sphere of transportation services, predictability and uniformity are not always guaranteed. Large-scale providers and commercial users of these services rely heavily on national laws and regulations to support the robust and reliable supply chains vital to a bustling economy. However, this reliance often falls prey to outside factors, as underlined by a…
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) is preparing to host a significant forum, the symposium on “Enabling the Nanotechnology Revolution”, to be held on October 10, 2023. The event is set to take place at the prestigious National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. As per the details provided, this much-anticipated symposium is aimed at…
In recent years, a recurring issue has been plaguing motor carriers, transportation brokers, and shippers involved in high-stakes, catastrophic casualty litigation. This issue is none other than the application of Reptile theory litigation tactics, a strategy which also has started to yield nuclear verdicts. This strategy’s effectiveness and the significant challenges it imposes on defendants…
International ocean shipping has undergone several notable changes in the wake of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA). Enacted last year, the OSRA serves as a response from U.S. Congress to empower the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), equipping it with the necessary authority to address particular ocean transportation vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities became significantly…
Legal professionals navigating the corporate sector of Illinois should be aware of an impending legislative change. Starting January 1, 2024, a new law mandates many employers with a workforce of at least fifty full-time employees, based in the six-county Chicago area, to provide pre-tax public transit benefits. The provisions of the new statute affect a…