Spring Seminars 2025

Seminars run concurrently - Choose One

Sunday March 16, 2025

9:00am - 5:00pm

TRANSPORTATION, LOGISTICS & THE LAW

IT’S ALL ABOUT RISK

Presented by: Andrew M. Danas, Partner, Grove, Jaskiewicz and Cobert, LLP 

This one-of-a-kind seminar is intended for the persons actually doing the work to be able to identify and minimize legal and financial risks in your day-to-day responsibilities. 

The topics covered will include:



• Motor Carriers, Brokers, and Surface Freight Forwarders: What are the legal differences and why do they matter?
• Air and ocean carriers and intermediaries – the legal characteristics of the providers of international transportation services
• Shippers, consignors and consignees – who’s who and which is who
• Latest on the biggest financial risk faced by shippers: Vicarious liability for highway accidents
• Role of the bill of lading – with or without an individually negotiated contract
• NEW! Mapping contractual relationships
• Terms of Sale between buyers and sellers: The UCC and Incoterms – what they are and how they are different
• Payment and collection of freight charges: How to avoid the financial risk of late payment penalties; Minimizing ”the double payment problem”
• Flash Look at Insurance: The critical difference between cargo insurance and cargo liability insurance; Certificates of Insurance; Cyber Insurance
• NEW! Crime Insurance; Fraud and Deceit Insurance

The presenter, Andrew M. Danas, is a Washington, D.C. attorney who represents shippers, intermediaries, and carriers of all sizes in both domestic and international commercial, regulatory, and litigation matters. He has held multiple leadership roles in legal and industry professional organizations and is a recognized speaker and author in the area of transportation and logistics law.

Registrants will receive 190+ pages of course materials. These materials include critical statutes, critical regulations, and additional vital information

FREIGHT CLAIMS IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Presented by: Gerard F. Smith - Pezold, Smith, Hirschmann & Selvaggio

This course is essential for supply chain and logistics professionals, at all levels, or anyone who has responsibility for pursuing or defending freight loss and damage claims on behalf of shippers (manufacturers, distributors, etc.), brokers, carriers, freight forwarders, etc. It covers all aspects of freight claims from the basics of filing claims to more advanced topics such as legal liability and insurance. It includes valuable information and content that will assist and better prepare you to confidently resolve claims with legal and practical solutions.

Topics covered include:

• Liability under the Carmack Amendment
• Bills of lading, tariffs and contracts
• Burdens of proof
• Carrier Defenses
• Limitations of liability
• Time limits
• Broker liability for cargo claims
• Claim filing procedures
• Insurance
• Ocean freight claims under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA)

Gerard F. Smith, Esq. is widely recognized as a leading transportation attorney and expert on the subject of freight loss and damage claims. He has presented this course numerous times both virtually and in person with popular acclaim from his audiences.

CONTRACTING FOR TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS SERVICES

Presented by: Raymond A. Selvaggio - Pezold, Smith, Hirschmann & Selvaggio

An intensive program on the practical and legal aspects of contracting for transportation and logistics services, including:

• How to use contracts to avoid or minimize legal and financial risks in the supply chain.
• Leveraging your contracts to increase your ability to recover full invoice value for your cargo loss and damage claims
• Learn about the intricacies of drafting and negotiating a transportation contract, such as the “do’s” and “don’ts” of contracting
• The usage of a Bill of Lading, as the contract of carriage, and carrier tariffs versus a mutually agreed upon written contract.
• Review important legal principles, statutes, and regulations affecting the contracting process
• A “walk through,” in-depth discussion of actual contract provisions, terms and conditions used by shippers, carriers and brokers.
• Address critical contracting issues, such as liability for cargo loss and damage, indemnification, freight payment terms, and insurance



This course is designed for both purchasers and providers of transportation services with a focus on the contractual relationships among motor carriers, shippers, brokers and other 3PLs. 

Plus, attendees will have a unique opportunity to discuss their specific contracting problems and issues with a knowledgeable transportation attorney.