Jonathan’s work has always focused on the movement of goods through the supply chain. Today this is both a top challenge and a source of opportunity for almost every company. He knows the players in the game, mobilizes quickly, and his Chambers USA National Band 1 ranked practice has the best bench in the business.
Clients call on Jonathan from across all points in the supply chain including the manufacturers, retailers, technology companies, carriers, forwarders, and brokers that work collaboratively to keep our shelves stocked and roadways safe. This work is often unseen but he knows that it is critical to commercial success and national security – and he knows it is fun!
Our legal work is often behind the scenes just as the many operational functions that are accomplished every day for the flow of goods. Frequent legal issues range from regulatory licenses and permits, establishing relationships with contractors or suppliers and customers, international trade compliance, safety training and threat awareness, implementation of practical operational paperwork, claims handling and incident response, government investigations and enforcement, to litigation or arbitration for the disputes that arise. We are trusted by our clients to handle matters with a clear understanding of the legal needs, risk tolerances, and company objectives that often change across the corporate lifecycle from start-up to maturity.
Practicing law with the vision and voice of truly knowing supply chain management is exciting. Jon’s role advising companies on these matters began with a large transportation and logistics holding company. He was close to the business as in-house counsel and an officer of the subsidiaries performing freight forwarding, NVOCC, indirect air carrier, and customs brokerage operations. His background in this area grew to include an U.S. Customs Broker license, MBA with emphasis in Supply Chain Management, and recognition as a Certified Fellow by the American Production and Inventory Controls Society (APICS).
True industry participation and thought leadership has been very fulfilling. Jon’s articles or quotes by journalists have been published over 130 times and he has presented over 50 times at conferences in the US and Canada. The call to serve can be even more impactful. It has been a privilege to sit on a federal advisory committee by appointment of the US Transportation Secretary, another by appointment of the US TSA Administrator, and on a district export council by appointment of the US Commerce Secretary. His membership in the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores by appointment of the Governor as well as his roles as a voting member on committees of many transportation and logistics trade associations are also valuable experiences.
Clients and the legal community are recognizing our expertise. Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine named him a “Pro to Know” in 2021. JD Supra delivered a Reader’s Choice Award for Top Author in Transportation Law that same year. Crain’s Cleveland Business magazine named him one of the “Notables in Law” for 2022. Our firm’s national Band 1 ranked Transportation & Logistics Practice Group also held the title of national “Law Firm of The Year” in transportation law for 2023, the sixth award of that title in nine years.
You are welcome to reach out and discuss any issue, big or small, any time – just call or e-mail.
Representative Experience
- Transportation and Logistics – Strategic advice and operations counsel on all aspects of transportation and logistics operations including development of new service lines and market entry, inter-company and third party relationships, equipment sourcing and asset management, driver sourcing and safety management, independent contractor owner-operator relationships, technology solutions, last mile operations, middle mile operations, drayage operations, import and export services, all forms of operational and customer contracting, and dispute resolution.
- Supply Chain Management – Advising on global supply chain risk and best practices including supply and service procurement, vendor diligence, contracting, development of new production and distribution strategies, and dispute resolution.
- Contract Drafting and Negotiation - Drafting and negotiation of all manner of services contracts including: Motor Carrier, Broker, and Forwarder Services Agreements; Courier and Last Mile Delivery Services Agreements; Dray Agreements; Intermodal Services Agreements; Air Forwarding and Indirect Air Carrier Agreements; Air Charter and Block Space Agreements; Ocean Freight Forwarder and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier Agreements; Warehousing and Fulfillment Agreements; Distribution Agreements; Customs Broker, Export Forwarder, and Collateral Access Agreements; Power of Attorney Forms; Equipment Interchange Agreements; Equipment Lease and Rental Agreements; Independent Contractor Owner-Operator Lease Agreements; Bills of Lading and Waybills Terms; and Terms and Conditions of Service or Use.
- Mergers and Acquisitions – Providing valuable recommendations for post-close opportunities, industry-focused due diligence review, counsel on legal and regulatory requirements, operational best practices, and commercial standards for targets in all modes and industry segments. Deal experience includes the digital brokerage, last mile and courier, air and ocean forwarder, value-add warehousing and fulfillment, and over-the-road trucking segments.
- Licensing and Permits – Acquiring, transferring, updating, and modifying licenses, permits, and operating authorities including those required for motor carrier, indirect air carrier, foreign air freight forwarder, ocean forwarder, and non-vessel operating common carrier operations.
- Regulatory Enforcement – Successfully representing clients during regulatory enforcement investigations and audits, often with the elimination or mitigation of penalties, including experience before the: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and State Public Utilities Commissions (PUC).
- International Trade Compliance – Preparing risk assessments for current and prospective international operations, developing meaningful compliance programs and pragmatic operating procedures, providing reasonable ad hoc advice as situations arise, preparing root cause analysis reports and producing corrective action plans for implementation, assisting in the determination of whether to submit voluntary self-disclosure notices, and representing clients during investigations and enforcement actions to minimize risk and mitigate exposure.
- Represented Gridiron Capital Partners in its initial platform acquisition of Jacent Strategic Merchandising, a provider of strategic impulse, in-line and check stand, merchandising products and solutions to retailers.
