This interactive program uses hypotheticals to explore the most basic question that all corporate in-house and outside lawyers must answer: exactly who is the "client"? Among other things, the program will discuss: (1) who is the corporate lawyer's client within the corporate entity, and whether lawyers can be retained by a constituent such as an Audit Committee or group of independent directors; (2) who is the client within a corporate family, whether outside lawyers can be adverse to one corporate family member while simultaneously representing another on an unrelated matter, and whether in-house lawyers automatically represent their corporate employer's affiliates; (3) the impact of client identity in corporate transactions, including ownership of the attorney-client relationship (and the accompanying privilege) in stock and asset sales, and the effect of joint representations in selling or spinning off subsidiaries; (4) whether corporate in-house and outside lawyers can also represent corporate employees, the implications of such representations, and how to avoid accidentally creating such representations; (5) whether a corporation’s shareholders must ever be considered the corporate lawyer’s "clients," including the fiduciary exception's application.
All About the ATA Litigation Center's Virtual Trucking Legal Forum
The Trucking Legal Forum is going virtual! Now, scheduled for July 20 to July 24, 2020. ATA Litigation Center's Virtual Trucking Legal Forum offers practical information and approaches to handling the most pressing legal and compliance issues facing fleet operations. Registrants can expect the same quality, trucking-focused content; experienced, expert presenters; practical legal and operational takeaways; and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits from the convenience of their home. In addition to our compelling legal topics we will cover, we will also discuss the unique legal trials and tribulations of COVID-19 when applicable.
To ensure maximum participation, the schedule is changing to accommodate all U.S. time zones and to allow time to digest the information and discuss the issues. The web-based platform will be used to engage virtual attendees and speakers in real-time peer to peer exchanges and to meet state bar CLE criteria. For those who make the Forum a regular must-attend event, they will not be disappointed. For those who have yet to attend, this is a chance to earn required CLE credits and learn why others get so much value out of this event each year.
In 2020 we have the opportunity to confront trucking's legal challenges together - in the midst of a global pandemic - like never before.
Schedule of Events
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear will welcome attendees and provide an overview of the industry’s efforts regarding a number of top industry legal, legislative and regulatory priorities.
Plaintiff’s use of the “reptile theory” to instill fear in jurors has lead to huge verdicts against trucking companies. The good news is that there are defense strategies that have been successful in cutting the proverbial legs off the lizard pre-trial and in inoculating juries against the venomous effects of pleadings, discovery, in-trial questions, and closing arguments designed to evoke jurors’ survival instinct not rational thinking. Learn how defense attorneys are effectively using motions in limine and which courts allow such motions. Hear about leading risk mitigation and trial strategies that have been successfully employed in pleadings, discover, and pre-trial prep to both challenge use of the theory and dilute the impact of the theory’s use.
In the complex world of trucking, the question of “Who is ultimately responsible when freight is damaged or people are injured?” is not a new one nor is it an easy one to answer. A number of recent cases seem to suggest the “jury is still out” on definitive guidance that applies nationwide. This session will discuss the direction courts and legislatures are going relative to what is and isn’t a delegable duty, when is joint liability likely to be imposed, and under what facts is the third party, not the carrier, held negligent - whether that third party is a shipper, service or product provider, or another carrier. Learn not only how courts and state laws across the country are assigning, shifting and sharing liability but also the potential repercussions of these decisions on motor carriers’ legal strategy.
Advances in the medical field are occurring at an unfathomable rate. In this session, presenters will divulge the most current technology tools, medical techniques, research, resources, discovery avenues, and effective legal arguments used to expose: the true and/or reasonable cost of medical treatment, the most current medical billing practices, and the actual cause and extent of injury, and will counter the prosecution’s arguments related to inflated medical bills and estimated costs of future long term care. Also considered will be the claims resolution options relative to medical claims.
Accidents present complex, dynamic circumstances where the motor carrier must stay alert to all potential opportunities to resolve cases in the most favorable manner. This segment focuses on how to optimize your ability to navigate the entire spectrum of options to obtain the best result for the company, from accident to verdict, and everything in between.
Though this is not a new topic, the options, opportunities and consequences in trial are constantly evolving when it comes to video evidence. Addressed during this session will be applicable case law and lessons learned, legal strategies to optimize video and coaching evidence and counter plaintiff’s use of footage and training policies/procedures/documentation, when necessary. Specific legal advantages and potential disadvantages between inward and outward cameras and practical steps carriers can take to strengthen their case and mitigate risk will also be covered.
Whether you are seeking effective tactics to prevent discovery expeditions or need to know the potential risks of having certain information discovered by a reasonable investigation, this session is designed to answer these questions and more. Also, hear winning approaches and arguments used by the best defense attorneys in negligent hiring cases.
California is no longer the only game in town when it comes to laws and rulings governing the independent contractor relationship. Twenty-eight states are applying the ABC test; with another six applying A and C of the test; and two applying either the ABC Test or A and C of the test. Panelists will seek to answer what all this means to interstate and intrastate carriers; and recommended practices to legally maintain the independent contractor relationship.
In the transportation arena, the agency knocking on the door may be the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Transportation Security Administration, Customs & Board Protection, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Transportation Safety Board, and/or National Labor Relations Board. This session will provide practical guidance on preparing for and responding to a broad range of regulatory investigations and audits from various governmental bodies.
In 2020 data privacy law goes beyond HIPAA and business data. Knowing what needs to be protected and to what extent, and how it can and can’t be used, is critical to remaining compliant and litigation-free in this age of electronic information storage and exchange. This session will provide a real-world look at those laws governing, employees, contractors and customers, and what you can do to comply and avoid risk, litigation and fines.
Just when motor carriers thought they knew all the cyber security threats and related legal obligations facing them, new and expanding risks (e.g., ransomware), responsibilities, and consequences emerge, as legislatures and courts define negligence and breach of contract, and as regulatory enforcement increases. Understand the most current threats facing motor carriers, the laws that apply, and best practices and resources to avoid legal hot water.
As motor carriers look to improve efficiency and expand their operations into less traditional profit centers, many are now relying on customized solutions – solutions often developed using the expertise of those outside the country or those inside the United States but on work VISAs. This session will address the steps – at all levels and by legal, operations and HR - a company can take to legally protect the resulting work product and associated proprietary processes and strategies. Though this has practical applications, this session will focus on the related laws and legal steps to protect the motor carrier’s intellectual property.
Trucking is a diverse and complex industry with each segment facing its own unique legal and compliance challenges. This session will provide an overview of the hot button legal issues and regulatory obligations confronted by the intermodal drayage, agriculture, heavy haul, and tanker sectors, as well as their risk profiles, distinct operational hurdles, and strategies to achieve compliance and stay out of court.
The Coronavirus was a wake-up call for even the most prepared motor carriers. The scope of its impact was/is beyond all expectation. When you’re in the transportation business, a global epidemic imposes potentially new legal obligations and ever changing waivers and restrictions. COVID-19 is the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate one’s business continuity plan and manage the legal expectations imposed by every type of force majeure occurrence.
This interactive workshop will focus on three primary areas of insurance important to motor carriers, and how they may be effectively used to protect one’s operations and workforce (employees and independent contractors), and stay compliant. Presenters will cover from an insurance, motor carrier, and legal perspective the various coverages related to auto and excess liability, employee benefits, and the potential risks associated with independent contractors. Attendees will not want to miss this opportunity.
Conference Registration Virtual Meeting Rates
ATA Member
$500
Individual
Individual
$800
Individual with Company Access Upgrade*
Individual with Company Access Upgrade*
Non-Member
$600
Individual
Individual
$900
Individual with Company Access Upgrade*
Individual with Company Access Upgrade*
*New for the 2020 Forum:
The ATA Litigation Center is offering a Company Access “Upgrade”. If you choose to purchase the Upgrade, you will receive a Discount Code in your Registration Confirmation email to share with your colleagues (must be employed by the same employer). Only one registrant needs to purchase the Upgrade in order for ALL of your colleagues to attend at NO ADDITIONAL COST. The discount code must be entered on the registration form or online (at check-out).
Attention Attorneys:
Applications are being submitted to State Bars for CLE credit but have not yet been approved. The ATA Litigation Center will be working with each State Bar to deliver content in a compliant virtual format. A follow up email will be sent to registered attorneys on the applicable State Bar rules related to virtual CLE education. Though not anticipated, if a State Bar rejects our application/system, you will be notified immediately.
