Category: Transportation Law

BGS Joins the Duluth Superior Transportation Association

January 16, 2018  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

The Transportation Department at BGS is involved with many transportation related organizations, and recently joined the Duluth Superior Transportation Association (DSTA).  The DSTA has more than 100 active members in a variety of transportation industries, including aerospace, rail, trucking, logistics, and maritime. Within those industries DSTA members include transportation companies, manufacturers, commercial shippers, supply chain managers, and government agencies.  In addition to regular meetings that focus on transportation-related topics, the DSTA also sponsors tours of facilities that are of interest to members  and group activities.  In keeping with its mission to enhance the community, it also offers scholarships and sponsors community events. Carole Clark Isakson and Jackie Campbell of BGS recently enjoyed attending the DSTA holiday dinner and auction at the Black Bear Casino and Resort in Carlton, MN.  A highlight of the evening was reconnecting with company owners with whom they had worked over a decade ago! The food was excellent, the auction was entertaining, and money was raised to support the DSTA Scholarship Fund.  This fund was set up to offer an annual scholarship to a student/students in the Transportation and Logistics program at the University of Wisconsin in Superior.   BGS is looking forward to attending future DSTA events, and is proud to be a member of the DSTA!

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Employee Spotlight: Jackie Campbell, Legal Administrative Assistant

October 11, 2017  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Jackie Campbell became a member of Barna Guzy & Steffen  in 2016 when two  attorneys  for whom she had worked for more than twenty-five years joined the firm. Over many years of working with transportation lawyers, including Jim Wills, Jackie became essential to the team and gained a base of impressive knowledge about the unique industry. Knowing the law isn’t as critical as knowing the way the system works and the intent of the regulations; Jackie would tell you it also has a lot to do with knowing who to call (and call.. and call!). In July of 2017, Jackie’s expertise was put to the test when she was called on to help an important Minnesota trucking client regain its illustrative safety rating. The company was given a “Conditional” rating by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2014.  This was a blow to the company due to the influence a negative rating can have on maintaining relationships with vendors, customers (shippers) and employees.  In fact, many shippers will cancel contracts or simply refuse to deal with a carrier that does not have a “Satisfactory” rating. Not only are motor carriers subject to inspection of  vehicles and log books while on the road, each company is also subject to periodic audits by the U.S. Department…

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Transportation Lawyers on the Move at MTA Convention

August 4, 2017  |  Carole Clark Isakson

The BGS Transportation Law Team  – Jim Wills, Carole Clark Isakson, Nicole Wiebold and Jackie Campbell – again attended the annual Minnesota Trucking Association convention in northern Minnesota. The event featured golf and educational seminars, and the always enjoyable connections with clients and potential clients.  Having been active in transportation law for more than 4 decades, Jim Wills is a great presence at the event and the subject of much attention! This year  he was even more notable as a member of the Long Haul golf team. That team won 1st place in the Scramble Tournament with a 17 under par and also won the Yellow Ball contest. Todd Volkers of the Long Haul team also won longest drive and closest to the pin. This year’s event featured a fascinating keynote speech by American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear. Did you know: 70{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of the gross tonnage of freight in the US is moved by truck This tonnage represents 56{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of all goods There are more than 7.3 million people working in the trucking industry HALF of the money paid in to the Highway Trust Fund is paid by trucking companies 82{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of the cross border trade with Mexico is by truck 71{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of the cross border trade with Canada is…

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