Bryan Brantley > McGuireWoods LLP > Pittsburgh, United States > Lawyer Profile

The cross-disciplinary transportation team at McGuireWoods LLP represents both Class I and short line railroads on a diverse range of issues. The rail group has extensive experience in the implementation of federal policies, regulations and laws concerning railroad operations, property management and cargo transportation. On the disputes front, it routinely acts in commercial litigation involving federal preemption, real estate, private and public crossings, cargo transportation claims, and contract enforcement and interpretation issues. The practice is also experienced in defending railroads against environmental enforcement actions. In the world of trucking, the group acts in state and federal courts across the country, as well as before the National Transportation Safety Board and in investigations involving the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Bryan Brantley leads the firm-wide transportation industry group from Pittsburgh, where the primary role of product and consumer litigation specialist Natalie Zagari is serving as national coordinating counsel for a major transportation company. The practice also showcases longstanding commercial litigation expert Eric Bilik; and Christopher Thanner, whose track record includes representing railroads in disputes with state agencies and local governments over vested railroad rights in state-owned and public lands. All attorneys named are based in Jacksonville unless otherwise mentioned.

McGuireWoods LLP‘s ‘consistently available’ transportation, shipping, maritime and regulatory team acts for terminal operators, transportation authorities, beneficial cargo owners, commodity traders, carriers, financial institutions, and vessel owners and charterers on a vast array of shipping matters. The team consistently advises on regulatory compliance with the Jones Act, as well as shipping-related international trade issues (including the shipping regulations that determine how shippers and carriers can interact). Its practice also encompasses assistance to retailers with licensing and regulatory issues, in relation to Ocean Transportation Intermediaries-related matters; and it assists beneficial cargo owners with new enforcement remedies, which are available through the Federal Maritime Commission and the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. Heading up the team, Norfolk-based John Padgett is experienced in representing tug boat companies, freight forwarders, freight consolidators, and shipping and trucking companies; and Bryan Brantley in Pittsburgh is an experienced transportation-related litigator. In September 2023, Jeanne Noonan left the firm.