Steptoe LLP‘s rail transportation department is well-regarded by rail industry participators for its broad expertise in commercial disputes, at the federal and state level, and before arbitration courts. The team is also well-equipped to advise on regulatory hurdles in the merger and acquisition process, with a key focus on share and asset sales in the rail industry. Linda Stein, based in Washington DC, heads the practice, and is especially knowledgeable in regulatory queries pertaining to rate reasonability, railroad constructions. Anthony LaRocca is present in the team’s contentious matters involving antidumping and competition matters, while Peter Denton is a port of call for freight and passenger rail regulation, and has advised rail equipment suppliers, operators, public transportation agencies, public owners of rails, and financial companies participating in the rail market. Tim Strafford fields considerable experience in safety and economic regulations before the federal and arbitral courts, while Molly Bruder Fox leverages broad expertise in rail matters intersecting with other sectors, such as oil and gas, finance, and telecommunications. Onika Williams is well-equipped to handle compliance, enforcements and disputes before the STB.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I am not a client of Steptoe and work with only a few of the lawyers on the transportation team. As such, I am not in a position to respond to all of the sliding scale questions below. I have responded with Excellent where I am aware and have left the others where they were. Not moving any of the others is not intended as a rating; it is intended only to say I am not in a position to respond meaningfully.’

  • ‘Anthony LaRocca and Peter Denton are the individuals with whom I work where we have a joint client. Both excel in the practice areas (rail, STB) in which I am involved.’

Key clients

  • BNSF Railway| Company
  • CSX Transportation, Inc.
  • Association of American Railroads (AAR)
  • Oaktree Transportation Infrastructure Fund LP

Work highlights

  • Represented BNSF Railway Company (“BNSF) in defense of a complaint alleging violations of the common carrier obligation at the Surface Transportation Board.
  • Represented BNSF in the Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1869, Misc. No. 07-489 (PLF) (D.D.C.) as well as in the second MDL formed early in 2020 with the newly filed cases, Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation (No. II), MDL No. 2925, Misc. No. 20-00008 (BAH) (D.D.C.).
  • Advised CSX Corporation (CSX) – one of the two large Class I railroads in the Eastern United States – on the acquisition of a rail line owned and leased by Meridian & Bigbee Railroad (MNBR).

Lawyers

Hall of fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Linda Stein

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Anthony LaRocca

Next generation partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Peter Denton

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Onika Williams

Practice head

Linda Stein

Other key lawyers

Anthony LaRocca; Peter Denton; Tim Strafford; Molly Bruder Fox; Onika Williams