- within Finance and Banking and Strategy topic(s)
Editor's Welcome
Hello and welcome to the April 2026 edition of Lewis Brisbois' Transportation Law Update. In this newsletter, we highlight major transportation law updates that have arisen in the months since our last edition.
First, Houston Partner Kris Stockberger calls attention to situations where freight brokers should be looking for their own independent counsel to protect their interests in litigation, and handle any issues with insurance coverage that may arise.
Next, New Orleans Partner Lee M. Peacocke and Associate Benjamin Perkins outline the recent tort reform legislation enacted in Louisiana. Their article highlights the changes most relevant to claims brought by plaintiffs against motor carriers and how these changes impact litigants.
In another article highlighting legislative changes, Reno Managing Partner Brandon D. Wright and Las Vegas Associate Manuel Gurule discuss the expansion of court-annexed arbitration to include claims of up to $100,000, meaning more cases will be diverted into arbitration than in prior years.
New York Partners Adam Schwartzstein, Dean Pillarella, and Kevin Zimmerman recently successfully overturned on appeal a summary judgment decision on a rear end collision in New York, a difficult position for any litigant. Their article discusses the facts and circumstances that can allow a defendant to escape the inference of negligence in rear-end cases under New York law.
Also out of New York comes an article from National Managing Partner Greg Katz and Partner Nicholas Hurzeler on the proposed tort reforms in the Governor’s 2026 budget, including changes to comparative negligence and joint and several liability.
Then, Pittsburgh Associate Gaelle Sakr takes a look at the types of considerations all motor carriers should have in mind when dealing with cross-border trucking situations, including crucial differences in Mexico and Canada with both liability and insurance coverage.
Finally, Houston Partner Al Durrell and Associate Mykal Peterson takes us to the cutting edge of the transportation industry with an overview of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations regarding Autonomous Air Taxis (AATs), a completely new category of civil aircraft.
The Transportation Group also expresses its congratulations to Transportation Practice Group Co-Chair Joelle Nelson on her receipt of the Transportation Lawyers Association 2025 Distinguished Service Award. Joelle was selected by her peers in the industry for this prestigious honor. Congratulations Joelle!
Part of being in the Transportation Practice Group means going where our clients need us. Managing Partner of the Pittsburgh Office and Co-Chair of the Transportation Practice Group Todd Gray and New York Partner and Vice-Chair of the Transportation Practice Group Adam Schwartzstein highlight their recent invitation to travel to London to present to insurance professionals on the complex issue of freight broker liability and anti-indemnification laws in the United States.
Also featured in this update are spotlights on three new Transportation Practice members: Nikisha Woodwood from South Carolina, David Ziegler from Pittsburgh, and Paul Roman, Jr. from Pittsburgh. All three of these attorneys joined the firm and the practice group since our last update.
As always, we have included information on our 24/7 Rapid Response Team and free CLE webinar series. You can learn more about our skilled transportation attorneys and the work they do on our Transportation Practice page.
Stay safe and keep on truckin’!
"Todd’s Picks" - Here are a couple of tunes to keep you company on those long hauls.
“Loud and Heavy” - Cody Jinks, 2015
“Looking at the World Through a Windshield”- Red Simpson, written by Del Reeves, 1968.
“Chicken Lights and Chrome” - Jesse Watson, 2010
To view the full article please click here.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
[View Source]