Department profile
Dentons

Transportation: Rail (for Railroads)

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Dentons

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About

Provided by Dentons

Dentons’ Transportation team includes recognized leaders in the field, with decades of experience advising and representing some of the largest rail carriers in North America, as well as investors and public transit agencies, on projects of regional and national significance. Our transportation lawyers serve as trusted counselors to their clients, primarily in matters involving freight railroads, rail passenger carriers, and trucking. The practice is enhanced by our global reach and leadership in autonomous vehicles and drones.

Our lawyers have extensive experience advising on the complex regulatory regime governing US freight transportation and counseling on major strategic railroad issues and projects, such as rail mergers and control transactions; rate reasonableness; common carrier obligations; forced competitive access; and entry and exit into rail markets, among other issues. The team’s lawyers have also had leading roles contributing to Surface Transportation Board (STB) policy decisions and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rulemakings concerning host railroads and Amtrak.

Our Transportation team has an in-depth understanding of the key regulatory agencies responsible for transportation matters, including the STB (on rail rate and service issues and economic regulation) and the Department of Transportation (rail safety and funding issues), including the FRA, Federal Transit Administration, and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Transportation: Rail (for Railroads) - USA - Nationwide

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For
Dentons is recognized for its regulatory expertise in matters before the STB, including issues relating to interactions between passenger and freight railroads. It is well placed to advise on freight rate, antitrust, railroad construction and access issues. The firm acts for a range of national and regional railroads. It has notable expertise in cases involving the construction, sale and abandonment of rail lines.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Dentons represents Pinsly Railroad Company on a transaction that will result in a new Pinsly subsidiary, Georgiana & Andalusia Railroad, becoming the rail carrier operator of an approximately 36-mile rail line in Southern Alabama.

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2David A Hirsh
    Band 2David A Hirsh

    David A Hirsh

    David Hirsh handles both regulatory and business issues, and is particularly commended for his knowledge of the freight rail hosting of passenger rail services.
    • David Hirsh is the most responsive outside counsel with whom I have ever worked, and he's always a pleasure to work with.

      Transportation: Rail (for Railroads) respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Dentons (1)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Dentons

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