Please register for this recorded ATA webinar.
Webinar Description:
The election of President Biden and the new congressional balance brings with it a new environment for the use of independent contractors at the federal level. At the same time, states continue to address the independent contractor issue in a variety of ways. From the withdrawal of the independent contractor rulemaking by the Department of Labor to the reintroduction of the PRO Act, what changes do we anticipate will occur at the federal level, and how will states respond? Will there be further efforts similar to AB 5 or Proposition 22? Additionally, what impact do these changes have on motor carrier operations and how can motor carriers best respond to and prepare for more change?
What motor carriers will take away from this webinar:
- An overview of recent independent contractor developments at the state and federal level;
- Predictions of changes to come;
- Practical solutions for motor carriers as they evaluate what these changes mean to their operations.
About the Presenters:
Gregory M. Feary, President & Managing Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Gregory is President of the firm and also serves as a managing partner who practices primarily in a wide range of areas including transportation laws, independent contractor laws, transportation insurance laws, legislative support and transportation contract matters. He is the Vice Chair of the ATA/NAFC Risk Management & Insurance Advisory Committee and a member of the ATA Insurance Task Force for which he serves as Chairman of the Lawyer’s Subcommittee. He also served as ATA’s national transportation insurance law counsel throughout the 1990s. He was a member of the Advisory Board of Purdue University's Center for Transportation Distribution Logistics.
Braden K. Core, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Braden counsels clients on a wide array of transportation-related issues, including owner-operator arrangements, challenges to independent-contractor classification, Federal Leasing Regulations compliance, and contract reviews. He also represents companies facing investigations by the FAA, regarding the transportation of Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods by air, and by TSA, regarding air-cargo safety regulations. Finally, Mr. Core is an experienced litigator who has tried several commercial cases, including two jury trials, and participated in the defense of class actions against motor carriers involving allegations of Federal Leasing Regulations violations and challenges to independent-contractor classification.
Shannon M. Cohen, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Shannon provides legislative counsel services to the firm’s clients. Ms. Cohen monitors forthcoming and active legislation and regulation pertaining to issues affecting motor carriers, with an emphasis on legislation touching on the independent contractor status of owner-operators using her extensive background with and familiarity of owner-operator programs and issues attendant to the design of a successful owner-operator model. She regularly assists in drafting and revising legislation and assessing and communicating the impact of such legislation on the trucking industry. Ms. Cohen has also been a featured speaker on these topics to industry stakeholders and associations.
Kelli M. Block, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Kelli counsels clients on a wide array of regulatory and transportation–related issues. Ms. Block regularly advises motor carrier and other transportation intermediary clients regarding reclassification of independent contractor owner-operators as employees, insurance and alternative risk management programs, and general business strategies and operational models. Additionally, Ms. Block is an experienced litigator who assists in the defense of motor carrier client interests concerning state and federal tax matters, as well as class action litigation alleging wage, hour, and other employment law and regulatory violations.
Prasad Sharma, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Sharma spent fifteen years as in-house counsel at American Trucking Associations, Inc., where he spent his last four years as senior vice president and general counsel, as well as executive vice president and general counsel to the ATA Litigation Center. Mr. Sharma was actively involved in crafting numerous pieces of legislation at the federal level and notably crafted the motor carrier anti-indemnification legislation that has been enacted by nearly 40 states. Mr. Sharma has frequently spoken on independent contractor issues, motor carrier regulations, and legislative developments. Before going to law school, Mr. Sharma worked for Senator Bob Dole (KS), assisting on foreign policy, trade, and defense issues.
Allyson Feary, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Allyson Feary counsels clients on a wide array of transportation issues including independent contractor issues, owner-operator arrangements, Federal Leasing Regulations, motor carrier and logistics operations and business dealings, and contract reviews. Ms. Feary regularly drafts and reviews various transportation-related contracts, including logistics services contracts, motor carrier services contractors, and independent contractor agreements. She is also a frequent speaker at independent contractor roundtables for industry groups and client management meetings.
A recording will be provided to all approved registrants post webinar even if you are not able to attend.
NOTICE: ATA webinars are strictly educational for our members, and are not press events. The information contained in this webinar is not intended for, nor should it be used in, the production, editing or creation of news or analysis pieces. Participants are also forbidden from using them as background for published materials, white papers or other communications. Therefore, the contents of this webinar are strictly embargoed and off the record.