Please register now for this live ATA webinar. This webinar was open to ATA Members.
Dealing with Independent Contractors in Trucking in 2026
Webinar Description:
Despite the independent contractor model continuing to be the subject of disputes and litigation, it remains an important feature of American trucking capacity particularly in unpredictable freight markets and qualified driver availability. Presenters will discuss recent case law impacting misclassification liability, provide key contractual and operational best practices, report on federal and state legislative and regulatory developments.
A recording will be provided to all approved registrants post webinar even if you are not able to attend.
NOTICE: ATA webinars are strictly educational for our members and are not press events. The information contained in this webinar is not intended for, nor should it be used in, the production, editing or creation of news or analysis pieces. Participants are also forbidden from using them as background for published materials, white papers or other communications. Therefore, the contents of this webinar are strictly embargoed and off the record.
About the Presenters:
Gregory M. Feary, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Gregory Feary is president and a managing partner of the Scopelitis Law Firm. He focuses on laws regarding transportation and related industries, including independent contractor issues, legislation, insurance, corporate structure designs, and contract matters. He also serves as a primary contact for mergers and acquisitions due diligence work and advises on corporate structure and risk mitigation issues.
Prasad Sharma, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Prasad Sharma’s practice focuses on state and federal legislative and regulatory advocacy work and an array of regulatory compliance issues. From the Firm’s D.C. office, Sharma leads legislative support initiatives and provides a legal liaison function to Firm clients seeking transportation and logistics industry national and state association outreach. He spearheads outreach efforts within the Firm’s network of industry leaders to align efforts to achieve legislative outcomes that protect the future of the transportation industry.
Shannon Cohen, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Shannon Cohen primarily practices in emerging technologies, independent contractor issues, and legislative services. Cohen focuses on forthcoming and active legislation and regulation pertaining to issues affecting motor carriers, particularly on legislation touching on the independent contractor status of owner-operators. She has extensive experience counseling clients on owner-operator programs and issues attendant to the design of a successful owner-operator model.
Kelli Block, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Kelli Block’s practice is devoted to assisting clients with a variety of legal issues, concentrating on independent contractor issues facing the transportation industry. She counsels transportation carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics companies on owner-operator, regulatory compliance, transportation contract review, insurance, alternative risk management, employment tax, and unclaimed property matters. She also defends transportation companies in various investigation and enforcement matters.
Allyson Boyd, Partner, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Allyson Boyd assists clients with an array of transportation issues with a focus on independent contractor issues, contracting issues, and regulatory and licensing compliance.
Jeffrey Jackson, Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary
Jeff Jackson’s legal practice is focused on providing his transportation/logistics industry clients with fast, comprehensive yet pragmatic counsel on all manner of transactional and operational issues. Jackson regularly advises industry clients (be they motor carriers, brokers, forwarders, equipment lessors, shippers, etc.) on a wide range of transportation-centered concerns, including but not limited to contract negotiations and drafting, third-party logistics, independent contractor & owner-operator issues, leasing arrangements, freight charge disputes and cargo claims.
THIS WEBINAR IS SPONSORED BY ATA'S CORPORATE PARTNERS
The ATA Corporate Partner program highlights key products and services for motor carriers from Allied Members of the American Trucking Associations (ATA). ATA encourages its members to contact ATA Corporate Partner companies to learn more about how their products and services can help fleets solve some of the most pressing issues facing trucking companies today.