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Overview

Sheppard Mullin is a trusted advisor to the transportation industry, leveraging its multi-disciplinary team of attorneys to seamlessly counsel transportation clients on their vital business and legal issues. From handling automobile finance, connected vehicle technology and leasing transactions to advising trucking companies on nationwide class actions and sensitive labor and employment issues, our transportation attorneys have extensive experience across the entire transportation field. Moreover, we have a world-renowned practice in negotiating standard essential patent (SEP) licenses and litigating breach of contract claims against SEP owners who refuse to license 3G, 4G, and 5G patent portfolios on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

As the transportation industry continues to evolve rapidly, our team keeps clients ahead of the curve by providing counsel efficiently and responsively — with the emphasis on getting results.  

The following are some of the areas in which we assist industry clients:

  • Corporate Development Transactions – Mergers, Acquisitions, LBOs and Joint Ventures
  • Connected Vehicle Technology and Telematics Transactions
  • Other Commercial Contracts, Supplier Agreements, Distribution and Agency Relationships
  • Intellectual Property
  • Patent Litigation
  • Patent Preparation and Prosecution
  • Inter Partes Patent Review and other Post Grant Reviews
  • Negotiating standard essential patent (SEP) licenses on FRAND terms and conditions
  • Autonomous Driving Regulations
  • Licensing and Distribution Agreements
  • Product Liability and Unfair Business Practices/Diminution in Value Claims
  • Advertising and Promotions
  • Real Estate Development and Leasing of Facilities
  • Environmental Permitting and Remediation
  • Employment Advice and Counseling and Single Plaintiff Cases
  • Labor Union Management Relations and Union Avoidance
  • Class Actions, including Employment
  • DOT Expertise, including Buy American regulatory requirements
  • Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation
  • Trade Secret Defense and Prosecution
  • Litigation – Commercial Disputes and Dispute Resolution
  • Automobile Finance Litigation and Counseling
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights
  • Antitrust and Competition
  • Import, Export and Custom Matters
  • Tax, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation

In addition to the array of services we provide above, the following are particular sets of expertise that differentiate our Transportation team from the competition:

  • Leader in class action defense of employment cases for auto manufacturing and trucking companies
  • Leader in defense of auto finance class actions
  • Leading transactional practice in the connected vehicle technology and telematics industry, including experience with forming standard-setting automotive technology organizations and advising on connected vehicle technology terms and future trends
  • World-renowned practice negotiating SEP licenses to obtain FRAND terms and conditions and/or litigating related breach of contract claims for failure to license SEPs on FRAND terms and conditions – have litigated milestone cases for several companies on this issue
  • Negotiation of 3G, 4G and 5G licenses on behalf of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their various suppliers – represent premier automotive OEMs and component suppliers
  • Advisor for top auto manufacturers regarding Buy American requirements for public transit projects (e.g., rail, air, automotive) when using funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation and related agencies
  • Assisting clients in public-private partnerships with state and local governments to understand their contractual and regulatory obligations
  • Experts in assisting automotive manufacturers in navigating and complying with constantly shifting customs and trade laws
  • Leader in defending union-backed corporate organizing campaigns for auto manufacturing, trucking and transit companies
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