Sidley is a leader in helping clients navigate the complex regulatory landscape governing the rail industry. We regularly represent clients in proceedings before federal regulators such as the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and other units of the Department of Transportation (DOT), including rulemakings, complaint proceedings, transactions, environmental and safety matters and requests for approval or authorization. Our team includes the former general counsel of the STB, the former general counsel of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and other lawyers with substantial experience representing clients before federal agencies.
We have the largest practice of any U.S. law firm in matters before the STB, the primary economic regulator of the rail industry. Our lawyers have represented clients in a variety of STB proceedings, including transactions, rate reasonableness cases, service complaints, challenges to railroad tariffs, abandonments of rail lines, preemption disputes, rulemakings and public hearings.
Our team regularly represents clients before units of the DOT, including the FRA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Our DOT representations have included rulemaking proceedings, Positive Train Control compliance, safety violations, Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan requests and environmental review. We also have significant experience challenging agency decisions in federal court.
Recognition for the Practice
Strong leadership in advising clients has earned us acknowledgement in numerous industry publications. Our firm has received a “Band 1” ranking from Chambers USA for Transportation (Rail) every year since 2006, and we have been described as “true experts in the field of transportation law.” According to Chambers USA 2018, we have an “esteemed transportation practice noted for its representation of a significant tranche of railroad industry clients across the USA. Offers expertise in all regulatory, financing and environmental matters and regularly represents clients before the Surface Transportation Board.” We were also described as “a go-to name for many on matters such as rate reasonableness cases and rulemaking proceedings.”