Transportation & Logistics

Transporting people and products is a strategic consideration for companies across the globe. The attorneys at KMK Law have significant experience serving clients whose success depends on their ability to effectively move people and products over-the-road, across rivers and oceans, and through the air, or assist others in doing so. The KMK Law Transportation and Logistics Team consistently provides our clients with business focused counsel to enable them to successfully navigate complex commercial contracts, ship, barge, etc. building/finance and purchasing, high stakes litigation, and multi-jurisdictional regulation in this complicated landscape. 

The KMK Law Transportation & Logistics Group brings together attorneys from multiple practice areas to help clients with their business and legal needs. Many of our attorneys have dedicated large portions of their legal career developing deep experience in the areas of aviation, rail, maritime, logistics, and trucking. 

Our Transportation & Logistics Group attorneys understand the economic, regulatory, and legal challenges the industry faces. At the same time, we recognize and appreciate the important role the industry plays in regional, national, and global economies, and we are committed to helping our clients realize their financial goals.

In addition, KMK Law provides comprehensive support in matters involving freight loss and damage. Our attorneys are well-versed in handling disputes and claims related to cargo damage, lost shipments, and liability concerns. We assist clients in mitigating risks, resolving conflicts efficiently, and ensuring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks to protect their business interests.

At KMK Law we pride ourselves on:

• Deep Industry Knowledge: Understanding the complexities of transportation modes (aviation, maritime, trucking, rail, intermodal) and the specific regulatory environments governing them.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring clients comply with federal, state, and international transportation regulations to avoid penalties and operational disruptions.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying potential liabilities and implementing strategies to minimize risks, including managing issues related to freight loss, damage, or disputes.
• Contract Experience: Drafting and negotiating contracts that protect client interests, whether they are carriers, shippers, brokers, or logistics providers. Tailoring agreements to industry-specific needs is vital.
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Representing clients effectively in high-stakes litigation or alternative dispute resolution processes to address cargo claims, breach of contract, or liability issues.
• Strategic Counsel: Providing advice on navigating market challenges, economic pressures, and technological advancements to maintain competitive operations.
• Global Perspective: Addressing cross-border and multi-jurisdictional issues in transportation, including customs compliance and international trade regulations.
• Relationship Management: Facilitating strong relationships between stakeholders (e.g., shippers, carriers, brokers, financing parties) to foster collaboration and long-term success.
• Environmental Considerations: Advising clients on sustainable practices, regulatory compliance for emissions, and adopting green technologies to meet environmental standards and minimize ecological impact. This includes assisting clients with implementing carbon reduction strategies, transitioning to energy-efficient transportation methods, and leveraging renewable energy sources. We provide guidance on navigating environmental reporting requirements and sustainability certifications, helping clients balance operational efficiency with ecological responsibility.

Key focus areas include:

Admiralty & Maritime
Admiralty and Maritime Law covers legal disputes on U.S. navigable waters, including issues related to worker treatment, safety, and compensation on vessels. The Admiralty & Maritime team at KMK Law handles cases involving the Jones Act, personal injury, cargo damage, vessel accidents, and maritime transactions like chartering, vessel financing, and oil and gas equipment. They also advise on regulatory compliance and represent clients in litigation, arbitration, and mediation across the maritime industry, ensuring compliance with various laws, including corporate, labor, and environmental regulations.

Aviation
The attorneys at KMK Law have decades of experience in aircraft financing, representing operators, lessees, lessors, banks, and investors. We handle all phases of aircraft transactions, from proposal to closing, ensuring deals maximize tax benefits. Our litigation team handles accident claims, arbitrations, and NTSB investigations. We assist clients with secured aircraft and parts financing, leases, acquisitions and sales, like-kind exchanges, syndications, restructurings, and repossessions. We also handle U.S. airline bankruptcy proceedings, securitizations, fractional ownership programs, hangar leasing, pilot licensing, and airport fuel system financing.

Environmental
The environmental attorneys at KMK Law advise vessel owners and operators, managers, and shippers on federal, state, and local environmental regulations that govern marine transportation, air pollution from vessel emissions (including greenhouse gases), water pollution from oil spills, paints, dry dock operations, bilge/waste water discharge, invasive species transported via ballast water, disruption of aquatic habitats through dredging, and noise pollution from vessel operations. We provide guidance on related environmental compliance and counsel our through governmental inquiries and alleged violations.

Finance & Leasing
Our lawyers have extensive experience in equipment leasing and finance, handling transactions for various assets like aircraft, vessels, rolling stock, vehicles, and manufacturing equipment. We work with different lease structures (true, capital, synthetic, TRAC) and manage syndication, credit lines, and nonrecourse financing. We also assist with tax benefits for investors and have experience in multinational financing, vendor programs, and lease portfolio sales.

Incentives
KMK Consulting Company LLC (KMKC) is a national site selection firm with over 100 years of combined experience, specializing in securing government incentives for transportation and logistics projects. They help companies obtain grants, tax credits, workforce incentives, and infrastructure support, including power supply analysis and utility negotiations. KMKC has assisted businesses from third-party logistics firms to Fortune 100 companies with site location, incentive negotiation, and ongoing compliance. Their services ensure financial results that exceed expectations, even when business plans change.

Litigation/Liability/Insurance Coverage
The transportation and logistics industries are highly regulated, with businesses facing constant litigation risks. KMK Law has extensive experience in cases involving accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, and logistics disputes, helping clients avoid and manage litigation nationwide.

Logistics Technology & Outsourcing
Our team at KMK Law regularly advises vendors on the development and commercialization of transportation and logistics technology and software products. In addition we work with clients on the acquisition and implementation of transportation and logistics technology solutions, including warehouse management systems and transportation management systems. In addition we have extensive experience advising clients on outsourcing transportation and logistics functions, including negotiating agreements with third party fulfillment providers and advising on related service level agreements.