The lawyers of Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell routinely address a wide variety of questions related to transportation law across multiple modes. One of the firm's lawyers served as General Counsel of the United States Department of Transportation and, during that time, addressed the full complement of transportation-related issues. Others have served as officers for industry trade associations and transportation providers. As discussed in the descriptions of the firm's airports and environmental review practices, the firm's lawyers regularly represent clients in issues relating to the development of transportation infrastructure, including highways, highway interchanges, airports, transit, and pipelines.

Because transportation issues are often significant components in development of large complex projects, the firm is often called on to address transportation implications of such projects. The firm's lawyers have expertise in areas such as traffic mitigation, reduction of transportation air quality impacts, negotiation of agreements for road improvements, drafting of road access rules, and preparation of environmental documents for road and public transportation projects.

The firm also represents clients in various facets of the transit and rail industry with a particular focus on representation of state and local governments that have issues involving interaction with the railroads that serve their communities. This includes developing plans for new, continuing or expanding commuter rail and transit service, as well as other issues related to the presence of the railroads in the community. For commuter rail and transit operators, this work includes assessing how to identify and then secure rights of way, selection and negotiation with operators of the commuter service, and addressing regulatory, labor, and other issues that arise in the development and operation of urban rail systems. The firm's attorneys have negotiated with freight railroads and Amtrak on the acquisition of ownership or other rights to use rights-of-way as well as on arrangements for shared use of the corridors or tracks by freight, intercity passenger, regional/commuter passenger and light rail/transit operations. In addition, we have assisted these governments in addressing environmental, competitive, service quality and other issues. Among other clients, the firm has represented or advised state or local governments, including transit and rail authorities, in Southern California, Baltimore-Washington, South Florida, Atlanta, Vermont, Denver, Cleveland and New York City.

In addition, the firm's lawyers have experience and expertise regarding a variety of regulatory and compliance issues relating to transportation law, including hazardous materials transportation, driver drug testing, transportation finance and grants, fleet safety requirements, pipeline safety and integrity, security, airline service, and transit issues. For example, the firm's lawyers have helped a number of clients address compliance issues under applicable motor carrier safety rules.