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Few in-house counsel roles come closer to both the legal and operational lines of business than those managing the risks and regulations behind America’s freight economy. Working in trucking is certainly about compliance, but it’s also about keeping commerce moving without the wheels falling off, literally and figuratively.
To outsiders, trucking may seem like a straightforward business: pick up a load, deliver it, and send an invoice. The assumed simplicity, though, masks an incredibly complex legal environment that covers everything from employment law and environmental regulation to federal transportation codes and international rules.
In-house counsel in logistics work at the intersection of law, operations, and business continuity. They draft contracts for carriers and brokers, advise executives on liability exposure, and negotiate agreements with shippers that span multiple jurisdictions. They also deal directly with highway safety concerns, Department of Transportation regulations, and claims that arise when accidents or delayed shipments happen.
An attorney may find that accepting a corporate counsel job at a trucking and logistics company may feel more like a 24/7 risk management position. If a truck rolls over in another state, day or night, the phone will be ringing.
Being effective as in-house counsel in the trucking industry requires a significant understanding of regulatory compliance and keeping up with the ever-changing standards from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and state-level departments. Then there’s risk management, labor and HR, technology law, and corporate governance.
Every moving part in logistics creates a new legal question, and those questions move as fast as the freight itself. Few industries are as deeply regulated, or as dependent on accurate recordkeeping, as trucking. Hours-of-service rules, hazardous material transportation standards, and fuel tax reporting create compliance minefields that must constantly be monitored.
If a driver violates an hours-of-service rule by accident, it can get expensive quickly. It’s a safety issue that can also affect insurance premiums, customer contracts, and the carrier’s reputation.
Because trucking companies often operate across multiple states, inconsistencies in state-level laws can also create headaches. In-house counsels must design compliance frameworks that are flexible enough to adapt but detailed enough to stand up to regulatory scrutiny. Many implement internal audits or risk dashboards that track violations and provide early warnings before regulators send word.
Technology offers both solutions and new liabilities. Electronic logging devices (ELDs), required in most fleets, have reduced some compliance risks but introduced new ones around data privacy and hardware reliability. The legal department often partners with the IT team to assess vendor contracts and ensure systems are defensible in the event of litigation or enforcement review.
Amid the governance and paperwork, the best in-house operators understand that logistics remains a deeply human business. Drivers, dispatchers, and warehouse workers represent the beating heart of every fleet, and legal counsel must navigate the realities that come with managing people across long distances.
Labor classifications, union negotiations, harassment claims, and wage disputes are all part of the in-house portfolio. The classification alone, determining whether drivers are independent contractors or company employees, continues to define much of transportation law’s current landscape. California’s AB5 legislation, for example, has forced many fleets to rethink their operating models.
General counsels and chief risk officers like Hirschbach Motor Lines’ Brian Kohlwes put extensive experience in the industry to work every day. Hirschbach spent thirteen years in private practice defending trucking companies prior to going in-house.
The GC is a prime example of the evolution that’s undergone in his role from being viewed as much more than a mere rule enforcer. In logistics and trucking, legal departments increasingly serve as strategic partners, driving long-term business value and growth, especially as environmental and labor policies continue to evolve.
The next decade will only intensify the intersection of law and logistics. The rise of autonomous rucking, decarbonization targets, and AI-powered operations will expand legal complexity. In-house counsels who can balance risk mitigation with business agility will be indispensable, shaping both policy and practice for companies operating in an increasingly transparent, data-driven world.
For now, the in-house lawyer’s office, like Hirschbach’s, remains a hub of motion where every contract, compliance checklist, and late-night call connects to the larger rhythm of freight transport. The hum of engines outside their window may be background noise for some, but for them, it’s the soundtrack of American commerce.
“Working with Brian is a pleasure. He’s smart, insightful, and strategic; he knows the industry, the law, and the players; and he’s not afraid to stand his ground.”
–Matt Stone, Founding Partner
