Annual Meeting Moderators & Speakers
Prior to joining Kodiak, Edwin previously served as the General Counsel for USA Truck, Inc., a publicly traded for-hire motor carrier and logistics company, and as Associate General Counsel for Daseke, Inc., a publicly traded holding company consisting of eleven operating companies focused on flatbed and specialized transportation. Edwin is licensed to practice law in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Edwin is also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Trucking Association’s Litigation Center and Legal Reform Advisory Committee. |
Edwin joined Kodiak AI in 2023, a company developing physical AI by way of driverless autonomous commercial motor vehicles for the transportation industry for over the road, industrial, and defense use cases. He is the company’s motor carrier liaison, transportation law expert and also responsible for commercial contracts (drafting the first known Master Services Agreement for Autonomous Vehicles in a customer’s fleet), risk management, regulatory compliance, safety, strategic guidance, leasing and secured transactions, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, and fundraising. Edwin was a key team member taking Kodiak public in September 2025. 
JD, University of Windsor 2016, Called to Ontario Bar, 2017
Raymond is counsel in the Regulatory group in Dentons’ Toronto office. Raymond advises clients on regulatory matters in the transportation and logistics and other sectors including regulatory compliance, import/export, customs, motor vehicle safety recalls, licensing and safety, and transportation of dangerous goods.
Education (degree type, school, year)
Official Positions Held
Professional Honors and Bar Offices
Other Relevant Experience or Notable Accomplishments
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Megan is an advisor and litigator who counsels clients in a wide variety of business disputes, including complex contract, business tort, intellectual property, product liability, personal injury, commercial, employment, shareholder and partnership, commercial lease, and property disputes. Megan represents clients of all sizes and in various stages of growth, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, insurance carriers, regional organizations, small family businesses, artists, designers, and individuals. A large part of her practice involves transportation conflicts involving cruise lines, transportation and trucking companies (sometimes an airline or 2), ride share companies, gig-economy clients and Moving and Storage companies like U-Haul.
With all of her work, Megan advises clients with an analytical, inventive mindset, aiming to bring about the best possible solution. She’s made more than 100 court appearances, taken a hundred-plus depositions, and routinely prepares experts for complex Daubert hearings and corporate clients for 30(b)(6) depositions. In her routine work with repeat corporate clients, she works closely with in-house teams to resolve complex disputes, becoming a trusted part of their teams through dedication, precise drafting, and a business-oriented approach.
Prior to joining Hackett Feinberg, Megan practiced law at both regional and national law firms in South Florida. While Boston is her and her family’s home, Megan is originally from Minnesota and has a lot of Minnesota pride.
Marc S. Blubaugh is a Partner and Co-Chair of the firm’s Transportation & Logistics Practice Group, which has been designated by U.S. News & World Report / Best Law Firms as the “Transportation Law Firm of the Year” numerous times. Mr. Blubaugh has also been recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in the area of Transportation Law and has been ranked in Band 1 (the highest ranking) on a national basis by Chambers. He is a Past President of the Transportation Lawyers Association, currently serves as outside General Counsel to the Intermodal Association of North America and to the Transportation Intermediaries Association, and is a Past President of the Columbus Roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (where he remains on the board), and currently serves on the board of the American Logistics Aid Network. He is active in a variety of other industry trade associations, such as the International Warehousing Logistics Association, the American Trucking Associations, the Ohio Trucking Association, the National Home Delivery Association, and the Transportation Logistics Council. He is routinely invited to speak on the topic of transportation, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain issues at industry events across North America, publishes thought leadership, and is regularly quoted in the national media. A litigator by trade for nearly 30 years, he also consults with clients regarding contracting practices and operating procedures, helps clients navigate the changing regulatory landscape, and provides strategic and business advice to help clients minimize liability and maximize growth opportunities. |
An attorney in Benesch’s Intellectual Property Practice Group and Chair of the firm’s multidisciplinary AI Commission, Kris Chandler leads efforts to guide clients in the safe and legal deployment of AI technologies and tools, helping to enhance operations and drive innovation. His practice focuses on complex corporate and technology transactions, intellectual property protection, data security and privacy, and regulatory guidance.
Kris has extensive experience advising B2B and B2C businesses, AI tech and tools developers, investors, collaborators, service providers, and users/integrators on the legal implications of AI innovations and associated risks. He proactively monitors proposed laws, regulations and litigation to keep clients informed and well-positioned for the future. He is well-versed in developing AI use-related policies, procedures, and best practices to maintain control over data and manage risks, as well as in providing industry-specific guidance for highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, and banking and finance.
Kris’s background as an intellectual property lawyer allows him to assist high-tech companies in marketing, protecting, commercializing and distributing their intellectual property. He also has significant experience navigating data security and privacy regulations in the United States, Canada and Europe, including HIPAA and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Andrew is a recipient of the Transportation Lawyers Association’s Distinguished Service Award and currently serves as Co-Chair of the TLA’s Antitrust and Unfair Trade Practices Committee. In addition to his TLA activities, Andrew has held active leadership positions in the International Law Section of the American Bar Association, where he is the current Rule of Law Officer. He has previously served as the Division Chair for the ABA ILS Trade, International Organizations & Regulatory Practices Division and as the past co-chair of both the ABA ILS International Transportation and International Contracts Committees. Andrew is the Chair of the EALG, an international network of independent law firms with members in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and the United States. A frequent speaker and writer, Andrew has published both academic law review and professional articles on a variety of subjects. He is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. A complete biography can be found at here or Andrew’s Linked-In page. He can be contacted at adanas@danaslaw.com. |
Andrew M. Danas is a partner with the Washington, D.C. law firm Grove, Jaskiewicz and Cobert LLP, where he regularly advises clients on trademark and service mark matters. In addition to representing and assisting clients in registering and managing their U.S. and worldwide trademark portfolios, Andrew has litigated and arbitrated trademark ownership and infringement cases both in the United States and Europe. 
Hannah Dannecker is the managing partner at Better Together Group. They support companies like yours with staffing, consulting and payroll. Hannah focuses specifically on intergenerational workplaces. Hannah loves to help bridge connections between co-workers to support in creating a space where everyone can work at their best.
As an author and a public speaker, she loves creating content that provides people with information they can use to support their own growth. She specializes in working with Generation Z and is known for her insights on recruiting, workforce trends, and early-career development.
In the transportation and logistics arena, Billy has witnessed first-hand how the trucking industry has come under siege by a growing army of well-heeled billboard attorneys who invest heavily in attacking companies and drivers. As a consequence, both verdict and settlement values have increased dramatically—as have insurance rates.
Mindful of this trend, Billy recognized the importance of blending the safety culture of a trucking company with litigation risk awareness. Each year, he trains hundreds of commercial drivers, supervisors, and c-suite executives at trucking companies on strategies to reduce litigation risk. Billy consults with trucking companies to help expand their driver safety programs to include rapid incident response programs that avoid costly mistakes in the crucial moments after an on-the-road accident occurs.
When litigation is necessary, Billy’s primary concern is being a good steward of a company’s resources in order to obtain an economically sensible outcome. “It’s important to me that every dollar spent by a client produces value. Some cases go to trial, some settle. All cases require a tailored pre-trial litigation strategy in order to maximize the economic value of a settlement or trial outcome. There’s no room in litigation for a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.”
Billy’s experience with high-risk industrial operations began over 25 years ago when he worked as a roughneck and roustabout on offshore drilling rigs to pay for his education. Early in his career as a litigator in New Orleans, Billy defended offshore drilling contractors against injury claims, which served as the beginning of a now 19-year career defending businesses against catastrophic injury claims. As a result of his extensive experience with front-line workers in demanding jobs, Billy enjoys talking to truck drivers as much as company executives.
Outside of the office, Billy stays closely involved with the transportation industry. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Transportation Lawyers Association—North America’s oldest transportation-centered bar association. He also participates in numerous other industry events and enjoys both presenting and learning from other lawyers, claims professionals and business owners.
As Chief Legal Officer, Heather is a trusted advisor to the principals, directors and shareholders of TRAFFIX and its group of companies which provide all aspects of transportation services including leading transportation management solutions and technology.
Recently, Heather restructured aspects of the TRAFFIX Group to capitalize on various international tax and economic advantages, and she is an action-oriented executive who drives meaningful initiatives that create success.
Prior to becoming TRAFFIX’ CLO, Heather founded and led the Bay Street office for an international law firm, and she commenced her career as equity partner with one of the top seven international law firms in Canada gaining recognition in both L’Expert and Best Lawyers.
Heather is admitted to practice in all courts in Canada and is admitted to the Bars of Nova Scotia and Ontario.
Prior to joining Arrive, Ryan was an attorney for a Chicago-based firm, where he litigated complex breach of contract matters, wrongful death, and severe personal injury cases in both federal and state courts. Ryan earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and completed his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University. Licensed in Illinois, Ryan enjoys traveling with his wife and two sons, exploring Chicago’s world-class museums, and cheering on the Detroit Lions and Michigan State Spartans. |
Ryan Eckert is Senior Corporate Counsel on the in-house legal team at Arrive Logistics, a leading North American freight broker. In his role, Ryan handles a comprehensive range of legal matters critical to the company’s operations, including litigation management for complex casualty and cargo claims, the direct negotiation of contracts with shippers and motor carriers, and whatever else is thrown his way. He serves as a key legal resource for Arrive’s executive leadership team on various corporate initiatives.
Mr. Elison previously served as FMCSA’s Chief Counsel with oversight responsibility for all FMCSA legal services across headquarters and field offices. He provided strategic guidance on rulemaking and enforcement, ensuring the agency’s actions met the highest standards of legal sufficiency. Before joining FMCSA, Mr. Elison was a partner at a law firm specializing in comprehensive representation of motor carriers and logistics companies. With two decades of legal experience, he has advised extensively on compliance matters regulated by FMCSA, helping transportation companies navigate federal safety requirements. Mr. Elison earned a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University, an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. |
Jesse Elison serves as the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Appointed to this role in November 2025, he supports the Administrator in leading the agency’s national safety mission and overseeing regulatory, enforcement, and policy priorities that impact the commercial motor vehicle industry.
Jake is an honors graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and received his law degree, cum laude, from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bars, the Transportation Law Association, the Conference of Freight Counsel, and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Airforwarders Association. Jake resides in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, and is married to his wife, Anne, and has two children, Dillon and Connor. |
Jake Fisher currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel at the Rock-It Company, supporting legal matters within the company and its several subsidiaries and affiliates around the globe. Jake was General Counsel to Falcon Global Edge, then spent five years as a partner with the law firm of Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, PC prior to assuming the present position at Rock-It.
During law school, she gained valuable judicial insight while clerking for a civil district court judge in Houston and demonstrated her commitment to leadership and advocacy as President of the Women’s Law Society. Since entering practice, Victoria has represented clients in a wide range of litigation matters, including cargo claims, trucking litigation, and complex business and real estate disputes. Her work spans both trial strategy and day-to-day case management, giving her a broad and adaptable litigation skill set. Victoria now focuses her practice on dealer law, advising vehicle manufacturers on compliance with state-by-state dealer regulatory frameworks. In this role, she navigates the intersection of administrative law, franchise regulations, and commercial relationships to help clients manage risk, maintain compliance, and operate effectively across diverse jurisdictions. She brings together courtroom experience, regulatory understanding, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to support clients facing an evolving legal landscape. |
Victoria Harmeyer is a dedicated Houston attorney with experience spanning litigation and regulatory compliance. She earned her undergraduate degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin before graduating from South Texas College of Law Houston in 2022.
Gordon represents international and domestic interests involved in the transportation, supply chain and distribution of goods in litigation, regulatory and contractual matters.
He advises shippers, receivers, carriers, logistics providers (3PL’s, supply chain and “fulfillment” providers, freight forwarders, load brokers, customs brokers and warehousemen) and their insurers on their legal interest and exposure in the international, cross-border and domestic carriage of goods by all modes of carriage.
Gordon provides advice and representation in the following areas:
- Litigation: Cross-Border and Domestic Commercial Litigation, Cargo Claims, Products Liability,
- Insurance and Casualty Claims
- Contracts: Drafting and Negotiation
- Insurance: Coverage and Related Issues
- Regulatory Compliance: Operational and Licensing Issues
- Sale of Goods (Domestic and International)
- Multi-Modal (ocean, air, rail + road) and Inter-modal (rail + road) carriage
Gordon is a Past President of the Transportation Lawyers Association and is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars throughout North America on the above matters. Gordon has authored numerous related papers and articles.
Gordon is recognized in Martindale Hubbell (AV® “Preeminent”), Chambers Global (Road and Railway Law), The Legal 500 (Canada), Best Lawyers in Canada, Lexpert (“Most Frequently Recommended”) and in Who’s Who Legal Canada.
Emileigh grew up in Midlothian, Texas and graduated from St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, Texas. Emileigh and her husband have two sons and two rescue dogs, and spend most weekends watching their sons run cross-country or play soccer. |
Emileigh is a Partner at Henry Hill, PLLC and represents clients in federal and state litigation in transportation, business, and commercial matters. Emileigh is admitted to practice in federal courts in Texas and Colorado, and represents individuals, freight and household goods motor carriers, brokers, and other corporate entities. Emileigh is a Member of the Conference of Freight Counsel, the Transportation Lawyers Association, the Paul Brown American Inn of Court, the Eastern District of Texas Bar Association, and the Association of Women Lawyers of the Eastern District of Texas. 
Allen is Deputy General Counsel at STG Logistics, Inc., North America’s largest provider of port-to-door services and supply chain solutions. He has a BA in History from Wheaton College in Illinois, a JD from Capital University Law School, and an MBA from The Ohio State University.
With a practice that spans regulatory compliance, transportation litigation, and corporate strategy, Alex is a trusted advisor to trucking companies, freight brokers, shippers, manufacturers, and warehousers alike. He routinely represents clients before the Department of Transportation and state equivalents, assists with safety audits and corrective action plans, and provides ongoing support for DOT compliance programs, safety training, and licensing.
In merger and acquisition transactions, Alex often serves as DOT special counsel, providing critical due diligence for deals ranging from local acquisitions to $900 million national transactions. Clients across the country also rely on Alex for fleet and brokerage license administration, including vehicle titling and registration, IFTA/IRP management, intrastate and interstate operating authority, and heavy vehicle tax filings.
He currently oversees transportation compliance and licensing services for more than 275 companies. Alex’s background originated in civil litigation, where he remains active. His work includes defending motor carriers in Truth in Leasing Act class actions, towing disputes, prosecuting Carmack Amendment and MAP-21 claims, and litigating commercial disputes between transportation-oriented companies. His strategic, client-centered approach has led to favorable verdicts and settlements across a wide range of cases, including multimillion-dollar disputes.
Sue Lawless is an experienced legal professional focusing on commercial motor vehicle transportation safety and regulatory compliance issues. She is a partner at Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, PC, helping lead the Firm’s DOT Safety practice. She was also recently appointed to PlusAI’s Safety and Policy Advisory Council. Before joining Scopelitis, Ms. Lawless served as the Acting Deputy Administrator, Chief Safety Officer, and Executive Director at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). |
Tim holds a Hon.ArtsSc undergraduate degree from McMaster University 1988, a law degree from University of Toronto 1991 and was called to the Ontario bar in 1993He serves as Head of McCarthy Tétrault’s National Labour and Employment Group and is a director of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE) and TLA member. University of Toronto, LL.B, 1991; McMaster University, BA Sc (Honours), 1998; SpActive law practice covering all areas of labour and employment law include advocacy at SCC and Court of Appeal, Labour Boards and Collective Bargaining |
Tim Lawson is a partner at McCarthy Tétrault and represents employers in the broader transportation and logistics sector, with particular expertise in cross border operations, and federally regulated workplaces. He counsels national and international trucking companies, logistics providers, and transportation related businesses (airlines, rail, auto, stevedore) on employment, labour, and human rights issues. A seasoned advocate, Tim argues cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada, and many administrative boards and tribunals. He also conducts sensitive high-stakes investigations usually involving executive conduct. 
Robert Ledoux is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Florida East Coast Railway. He is responsible to manage legal, environmental, risk management, and, security. He has more than 30 years of legal and management experience in corporate law and business and transportation transactions.
Prior to joining FECR, Mr. Ledoux worked at CSX Transportation for nine years in various legal positions including Assistant General Counsel for public project initiatives, engineering, passenger services, and intermodal.
Mr. Ledoux currently serves on the Executive Committee of the American Shortline and Regional Railroad Association and on the Board of the American Association of Railroads. He also service as Chair of the Broward MPO Freight Transportation Advisory Committee and the Florida Department of Transportation Freight Advisory Committee.
He graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire, a JD degree from George Mason University, and an MBA from Virginia Tech. Mr. Ledoux is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Maryland State Bar, the Florida State Bar and the American Corporate Counsel Association.
Brian is a partner and co-leader of McCarthy Tétrault’s national Transportation and Logistics group.
Licensed to practise in Quebec since 2014 and in British Columbia since 2024, Brian leverages McCarthy Tétrault’s unique national platform to provide strategic advice to clients worldwide whose businesses intersect with the supply chain in Canada. His hybrid business and litigation practice includes mergers and acquisitions, all manner of commercial agreements, regulatory compliance, and licensing in all modes of surface and air transportation and warehousing, with a particular interest in structuring transactions and reorganizations in order to minimize impact to permits and registration.
Brian has provided advice in respect of numerous Canadian and cross-border purchase and sale agreements, reorganizations, and investments. He regularly acts for non-Canadian acquirers of warehouses, rail assets and aircraft, and assists them in negotiating regulatory hurdles and in understanding the Canadian market. He offers contractual solutions and advice on liability and risk exposure to warehousemen and storers, to rail carriers and owners of rail rolling stock, to motor carriers and brokers of freight, to shippers and beneficial cargo owners in all modes, to governments and municipalities, and to providers of public transportation, including in the areas of autonomous vehicles and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones).
Brian has extensive experience with licensing and permitting requirements for commercial motor vehicles and for automotive manufacturers and dealers throughout Canada, including obtaining regulatory consents and exemptions from Transport Canada under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act as well as licences from the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) and other similar regulators in the context of cross-border acquisitions and expansions.
Brian regularly represents rail carriers in respect of administrative monetary penalties before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada, and represents both shippers and carriers in respect of all manner of disputes before the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Carole represents both domestic and international trucking and bus companies on a wide range of transportation matters including regulatory compliance, defence of provincial offences, contract drafting and commercial litigation. Carole also practices employment law, advising both federally and provincially regulated employers in Canada, and employers internationally, on compliance with Canadian employment standards, the management of human rights issues, including the duty to accommodate, and on occupational health and safety compliance including responding to workplace harassment complaints. She also drafts employment contracts, independent-contractor agreements, non¬disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, workplace policies, procedures and employee handbooks. Carole also assists her clients with the preparation of termination packages, and responding to wrongful dismissal claims, unjust dismissal complaints, and human rights applications. She appears on her clients’ behalf before the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, Canada Industrial Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Carole is the Past President of the Canadian Transport Lawyers Association. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year Transportation, in 2026. |
Carole graduated from the University of Toronto, Victoria College, in 1983. She attended Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto, graduating in 1992.
Ms. Nelson was listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023-2026— Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants State Bar Admissions, Texas;
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Joelle Nelson is an equity partner in the Houston and Dallas offices of Lewis Brisbois and serves as co-chair of the national General Liability Practice, the Mass Casualty Defense practice, and Transportation practice. A dynamic and results-driven litigator, Ms. Nelson is nationally recognized for her leadership in high-stakes, multi-industry litigation and for her ability to deliver strategic, legal solutions to clients across a wide range of sectors. With a litigation portfolio that spans transportation, construction, energy, retail, and environmental law, Ms. Nelson has successfully defended clients in complex matters involving catastrophic injury, trucking and bus accidents, freight broker liability, transportation network companies (TNCs), mass casualty events and toxic tort multidistrict litigation (MDL), excess casualty claims, and construction defect claims. Her product liability experience ranges from defending manufacturers of industrial equipment—such as horizontal auger boring machines—to everyday consumer goods. Ms. Nelson also represents national retailers, hospitality groups, and small businesses in premises liability and food safety litigation and has extensive experience in oil and gas disputes as well as environmental and environmental remediation matters, including all phases of cleanup and regulatory compliance. Known for her commanding courtroom presence and meticulous case preparation, Ms. Nelson is a trusted advisor to clients navigating high-exposure litigation. She is particularly valued for her ability to distill complex legal issues into clear, actionable strategies and for her unwavering commitment to client advocacy. Her approach is defined by diligence, clarity, and a deep understanding of each client’s operational and reputational priorities. Ms. Nelson empowers her clients with straightforward guidance, proactive risk management, and a relentless focus on achieving favorable outcomes—whether through early resolution or trial.
Previously, Olsen served for 10+ years as VP Legal & Risk for England Logistics, Inc., a leading 3PL brokerage, where he oversaw all legal, risk and compliance issues and was a member of England Logistics’ Executive Team. Olsen also recently served as a member of Transportation Intermediary Association’s (“TIA”) Board of Directors and serves on numerous TIA Committees and Task Forces, including currently serving as the Chair of TIA’s In-House Legal Committee. Olsen first started in the transportation industry in 1989 working in-house for two different large motor carriers. He was then in private law practice for over 20 years, with a heavy emphasis and focus on truck transportation and brokerage. Olsen was co-founder of the Salt Lake City law firm of Olsen, Skoubye & Nielson, LLC in 2002 (n/k/a Skoubye, Nielson, Johansen & Baxter, LLC) – a firm that he helped grow to about ten attorneys prior to his joining England Logistics in 2015. Olsen has served on TLA’s Executive Committee, as Vice-Chair of TLA’s Logistics & E-Commerce Committee, Program Chair for a TLA Chicago Regional and on numerous TIA committees, including current service on TIA’s Fraud & Cargo Theft Task Force; Highway; Carrier Selection Framework; Contracts; and In-House Legal Committees. |
Justin Olsen has 35 years experience as a transportation attorney focused particularly on freight brokers. He is recognized for identifying and developing innovative solutions to mitigate legal and practical risks in the transportation sector. Olsen recently joined LogistIQ Insurance Solutions as VP Legal, Risk and Stakeholder Relations.
Eric Palombo is a shareholder at the law firm of Flaster Greenberg, P.C., and serves as the Transportation, Logistics, and Supply Chain Practice Group Lead. He is also co-chair of Flaster Greenberg’s Attorney Development Program. Eric has extensive experience having litigated matters throughout the country serving as both corporate plaintiff’s and defense counsel with a focus on transportation law. He represents clients in matters involving substantial property damage claims and commercial disputes, including significant derailments, freight claim litigation, breach of contract claims and matters involving damage to transportation infrastructure such as maritime allisions, maritime limitation of liability actions, and architectural, engineering, and construction defect cases. His transportation experience covers rail, motor carrier and maritime law as well as claims arising under the Carmack Amendment and the Carriage of Goods by Seas Act.
Eric handles matters through all stages of litigation from the inception of the claim through trial and appeal. Eric has litigated cases in state and federal courts throughout the country including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and West Virginia. He has also handled matters involving federal agencies including NTSB and U.S. Coast Guard investigations, matters before the STB, and Customs and Border Protection. He graduated from Villanova University School of Law with honors including being awarded Order of the Coif.
William B. Pentecost, Jr. is a partner and Chair of the General Liability Practice Group in the firm’s Pittsburgh office. He is also Co-Chair of the firm-wide Transportation Law Practice Group. For more than 20 years, he has concentrated his practice in civil litigation, focusing on transportation law (with an emphasis on catastrophic trucking cases), construction defect claims, and products liability cases (with a focus on automotive, fire, and toxic exposure claims).
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Pentecost served as regional counsel for a Fortune 500 Corporation’s defense of toxic exposure cases in ten western states. In that capacity, he managed litigation strategy, local counsel, discovery and experts for hundreds of cases.
Mr. Pentecost has been a member of the U.S. Army Reserve since he enlisted in 1987. He recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the JAG Corps. Since 2013, Mr. Pentecost has served as a Commissioner on the Governor of Pennsylvania’s Military Community Enhancement Commission.
Mr. Pentecost has received the highest rating of AV® Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a regular speaker and panelist for a variety of legal and industry professional organizations, and is an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Pennsylvania Defense Institute (PDI), the Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA) and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA). From 2017 to 2019, he served on TLA’s Executive Committee. He also served as co-chair of TLA’s Casualty Litigation Committee and currently serves as chair of its Motor Carrier Committee. He is also a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations.
Mr. Pentecost is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Western, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, the District of New Jersey, and the Northern District of Ohio. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mr. Pentecost has dedicated much of his life to military and public service. He is a member of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States (ROA), the Military Officers Association of the United States (MOAA), the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW), the Army Navy Club on Farragut Square and the Marines’ Memorial Club of San Francisco.
Mr. Pentecost’s public service experience includes serving as ROA’s National Judge Advocate from 2008 to 2017, where he served as pro bono general counsel to a 501(c) (19) organization that is congressionally chartered to promote the development and execution of a military policy for the United States that will provide adequate national security. From 2017 to 2019, he served as a voting member of ROA’s Executive Committee.
Mr. Pentecost has also served as pro bono counsel to the Executive Committee for Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum of Pittsburgh from 2012 to the present, and he has been a member of its Board of Directors since 2010.
Mr. Pentecost is originally from Massachusetts, and he attended Providence College in nearby Rhode Island on a U.S. Army scholarship. In 1992, he graduated with a major in accounting and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve. After moving to Pittsburgh, Mr. Pentecost graduated summa cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law in 1996. He was first in his class and a member of the Duquesne Law Review.
Lori P. is a lawyer, operator, and legaltech entrepreneur with deep expertise in transportation, logistics, and risk management. She spent over 12 years at Traffic Tech, a North American logistics brokerage exceeding $1 billion in revenue, where she served as both Chief Legal Officer and Chief Operating Officer. In that role, she led legal strategy, compliance, and operational execution across complex cross-border freight networks, with a focus on translating legal risk into practical business solutions.
Lori is now the founder of A2Z Lawgistics, where she provides fractional general counsel and strategic advisory services to transportation and logistics companies. She also developed A2Z FreightClaims, a claims management platform offering both managed services and SaaS solutions, including an AI-powered claims agent that reduces up to 90% of manual data entry and administrative workload.
Most recently, she launched Lexori, a risk intelligence platform for freight brokers, the first AI-driven solution designed to proactively identify legal and insurance exposure. Lexori reviews shipper contracts, flags liability risks, generates legal responses, and supports claims and dispute management with integrated precedent and regulatory guidance.
Lori is known for her practical, business-first approach to legal strategy and her ability to build scalable solutions in a high-risk, high-volume industry.
Mr. Quinter is the Chair of the U.S. Customs and International Trade Law Group at Gunster, based in Miami, Florida. He represents importers, exporters, and international transportation companies in Federal regulatory matters before CBP, FMC, FDA, CPSC, DHS, OFAC, and BIS in compliance and enforcement actions. He also litigates in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Board Certified in International Law, he is ranked as one of the best customs and international trade lawyers in the world by Global Chambers legal directory and Chambers USA. Peter is the Co-Chair of TLA’s International Trade and Transportation Committee, actively involved in the leadership of the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association’s International Law Sections. He is regularly quoted in the media for topics on tariffs, free trade agreements, economic sanctions, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) policies and procedures.
Mr. Quinter is an avid outdoorsman, having completed 5 marathons, dozens of triathlons, backpacked most of the Appalachian Trail, walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and travels internationally for business to such unusual places as Cuba, China, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Kyrgyzstan.
Marco was admitted to the German bar in 2001, and specialises in transportation law. He advises on all means of transport and benefits from industry knowledge in drafting and negotiating project, supply and logistics contracts combining commercial, legal and technical expertise. Marco acts as litigator and arbitrator and a substantial part of his practice comprises of dispute resolution as well as casualty management in major loss events involving multiple jurisdictions. He acts for insurance companies, freight forwarders, shipping, rail or truck companies, logistic service provider, traders and the manufacturing industry.
Marco is especially known for his expertise in project freight forwarding and heavy lift transportation. He regularly deals with insurance matters, whether this is a cover dispute, subrogation action or the development of a new insurance product. The insurance sectors served include marine, cargo, liability, aviation and property.
Next to the specialisation in transport and insurance, Marco’s team acts as external legal department to a variety of trading and consulting companies. Marco is very commercial. His clients benefit from his experience as managing partner in his previous law firms as well as his role as managing director for a marine service provider. Marco can rely on a worldwide network of transportation and marine insurance specialists.
He started networking as the president of the AIJA transport and logistics law commission in the early parts of his career, and still does so as the current co-chair of the IBA maritime and transport commission. Thus, he can ensure reliable specialist local support around the world if needed.
Prior to her arrival at IANA, she served as President & CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) from 2020-2024. She has held roles in the private, public, and association transportation sectors, including as the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS)-Congressional Affairs & DAS-Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT), and as the top Government Affairs official at CSX Corporation during her 16-year tenure. Before joining CSX, she worked at the Association of American Railroads and High-Speed Ground Transportation Association. She and her husband, two sons, and dog live in Alexandria, VA. |
Anne Chettle Reinke became the fourth President & CEO of IANA in December 2024. JD/MBA from Northeastern University; Barred in MA, CT, NY, VT and RI; Co-Chair of the Freight Claims Committee at TLA. |
Jol Silversmith’s practice principally involves advising airlines, other aviation-related businesses, trade associations, and governmental entities on such issues as government regulation (e.g., DOT and FAA), international bilateral relations, airport issues, litigation, antitrust, intellectual property, and government affairs.
Prior to joining the Firm in 1999, Mr. Silversmith served as a law clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. Mr. Silversmith serves as a Director and the Secretary of the Greater Washington Business Aviation Association and is a member of the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Access Committee.
In May 2013, he was a recipient of the NBAA Silk Scarf Award, recognizing his contributions to the business aviation community. Mr. Silversmith also serves as co-chair of the Antitrust and Unfair Trade Practices Committee of the Transportation Lawyers Association
 Robin has been practicing maritime and transportation law since 2006. Prior to joining Barnable Law in 2026, Robin spent over twenty years with a national firm where he was the leader of its national Transportation Group and its regional Shipping Group, focused on Eastern Canada and the Great Lakes. His extensive experience includes representing ship owners and P&I Clubs in matters involving domestic and international shipping, airlines and aviation insurers in claims related to casualties, property damage, and passenger rights, and transportation and logistics companies in matters related to cargo damage and recovery. |
Steven F. Stanaszak is a partner in the Milwaukee office of Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, P.C.. His practice focuses on defending transportation companies in complex litigation, including employment law disputes, catastrophic injury claims, and wrongful death matters.
Steve regularly advises employers on workplace issues involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, and other personnel matters, and represents companies in employment-related litigation. He works extensively with transportation and logistics companies on risk management, regulatory compliance, and accident response, and frequently speaks on employment law trends affecting the industry.
Steve graduated from Marquette University Law School, cum laude, in 1996.
He is a member of the International Association of Forensic and Security Metrology (IAFSM) and has been an FAA licensed UAV pilot since 2016. Since joining S-E-A in 2009, he has applied his expertise to a wide variety of cases and claims, including vehicle accidents, premise liability, fire loss, construction defect, intellectual property, electrical failure, product liability, and more. He has published in peer reviewed journals and provided expert testimony in multiple states. |
Mr. Swanson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communication Design from Villa Julie College (a.k.a. Stevenson University). He specializes in creating demonstrative evidence and other visuals using a variety of 3D, video, photo, and graphics techniques; forensic video and photo analysis; and scientific 3D modeling and animation for analysis and development of expert opinions, aided by a decade of experience in the field of 3D laser scanning and digital preservation of evidence. Caroline Synakowski is a transportation operations veteran, having worked in the trenches of daily operations, including carrier procurement, risk management, and claims, before becoming an attorney. Before joining Flexport, Caroline served as counsel at Cargomatic and worked under the general counsel at Armstrong Transport Group. Currently, Caroline’s role focuses on partnering with Flexport’s e-commerce and wholesale fulfillment team, Deliverr. When not traversing the wild west of e-commerce, Caroline can be found in a book or traveling with her family. |
Ashley Winsky is a trial lawyer and shareholder at Moran Reeves Conn. She is described by her clients as a fierce and tireless advocate. Transportation companies and freight brokers often turn to her when cases are not going as planned. She parachutes into matters to bring fresh perspectives and creative solutions.
Ashley is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia and consults in high-stakes litigation around the country. Ashley defends cases in some of the nation’s toughest jurisdictions, including Texas, Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
Ashley has secured defense verdicts for transportation companies in high-stakes matters and defeated numerous claims with nuclear verdict potential. Utilizing empathy and common sense, Ashley has mediated hundreds of matters to resolution—many of them before a lawsuit is filed. Ashley’s trucking clients range from family-owned operations to some of the nation’s largest for-hire motor carriers.
Professional Affiliations
- Member, Trucking Defense Advocates Council (TDAC)
- Member, Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA)
- Member, American Trucking Association (ATA)
- Chair of the Virginia Bar Association’s Transportation Section (2022)
- Vice Chair of the Virginia Bar Association’s Transportation Section (2020-2021)
- USLAW Network HONORS AND AWARDS
- The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation – Defense (2026)
- Influential Women of Law Award, Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly (2022)
- Named to Super Lawyers “Virginia Rising Stars” (2013-2024)
- Named a “Rising Star” in the practice of Transportation: Rail and Road – Litigation by Legal 500 US (2019)
- Named an “Up and Coming” attorney in Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Transportation: Road (Carriage/Logistics) (2019-2020)
Eric Zalud is a Partner and Co-Chair of Benesch’s Transportation & Logistics Practice Group and a Vice Chair of the Litigation Group. Eric is a Past President of the TLA. Under Eric’s leadership, Benesch was named Law Firm of the Year for 2025, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2017, 2016, and 2014 in Transportation Law by Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”. Only one law firm per practice area in the U.S. receives this recognition each year, making the award particularly significant.
For the twelfth consecutive year (2014-2026), Benesch also received a national first-tier ranking in Transportation Law by Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” Eric has litigated or arbitrated matters in 29 states, before state and federal trial and appellate courts in various jurisdictions, and before the Surface Transportation Board, the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, the United States Olympic Committee, the Better Business Bureau, and the Federal Maritime Commission.
Eric serves on the TLA’s committees on freight claims, motor carrier transportation, litigation, logistics, and e-commerce. Eric has experience in Warsaw Convention litigation matters, Carmack Amendment litigation, COGSA litigation, PUCO dealings, NHTSA matters, and DOT and Surface Transportation Board matters.
He also has general experience in air and surface freight disputes, freight intermediary issues and litigation, private fleet formation, truck sale and purchase issues, freight undercharge and over length disputes, admiralty litigation, freight loss and damage litigation, motor carrier casualty and personal injury work, regulatory and registration issues, driver leasing issues, and general regulatory compliance matters.