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A July 2026 Dallas County jury verdict has drawn attention across the transportation and logistics industry. In Lipe v. Lupus Superior, LLC, C.H. Robinson Company Inc., et al., a jury reportedly awarded approximately $604 million arising from a fatal 2021 commercial vehicle collision in Mississippi involving a freight broker, a motor carrier, and a commercial driver. The verdict is subject to post-trial proceedings and possible appeal. It is not a new law or a rule that automatically makes a freight…
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On July 9, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system inducement requirements for newly manufactured diesel-powered highway engines and vehicles, as well as nonroad diesel engines and equipment. For those outside industries that rely on diesel-powered equipment, this proposal concerns potential changes to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system requirements—an area of regulation that has significant operational and compliance implications for manufacturers, equipment owners, and commercial operators.…
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When most people picture the American logging industry, they imagine the Pacific Northwest (PNW). They think of towering Douglas firs, rugged loggers navigating steep mountain ridges, and decades of legal battles over old-growth forests and spotted owls. Imagining the Eastern timber states (mainly, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) usually evokes images of rolling hills, historic farms, and quiet forest lands. But if you look deeper, you start to see the larger picture – the proverbial forest among the…
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As we reach the midpoint of 2026, businesses across the country continue to navigate an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment. From employment practices and immigration enforcement to transportation liability and cybersecurity concerns, business owners and managers face a growing number of compliance obligations and litigation risks. While many legal developments occur gradually, now is an excellent time for employers and business leaders to evaluate their policies, procedures, and risk management strategies to ensure they are prepared for the challenges…
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Few things get a business owner's attention faster than receiving a demand letter from an attorney. Whether the dispute involves an alleged breach of contract, unpaid invoices, employment issues, property damage, intellectual property concerns, or another business matter, a demand letter is often the first indication that legal action may be on the horizon. How a business responds in the days immediately following receipt of a demand letter can significantly impact the outcome of the dispute. While every situation is…
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Transportation companies are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure they are hiring only safe, competent drivers. Having a robust pre-employment program to screen applicants and to document the process helps avoid potential liability associated with negligent hiring of drivers. For carriers, negligent hiring liability generally turns on whether the employer knew or should have known of a driver's unfitness. A trucking company has a duty to hire and retain drivers who are competent and fit to perform the…
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Join the Virginia Trucking Association and Stephen Setliff, partner and owner, Setliff Law, for a webinar on how the broker liability landscape has been transformed. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision has dramatically expanded potential liability for freight brokers, allowing negligent hiring claims to proceed when accidents involve motor carriers they selected. The ruling is expected to reshape carrier vetting practices, insurance requirements, and risk management throughout the transportation industry. Join the Virginia Trucking Association and Steve Setliff for an…
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The Constitution grants the federal government the exclusive authority to regulate international and interstate commerce. International commerce is easy to define: trade with another country. What is more difficult to define is the distinction between interstate and intrastate commerce. The plain meaning of the text suggests that interstate commerce is commerce that crosses state lines. However, that straightforward definition has not been applicable since the 1930s. You may wonder why regulating trade between the states is such a significant issue.…
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Dear Clients and Friends, This year marks an exciting milestone for Setliff Law as we celebrate 20 years of serving our clients and community. Over the past two decades, we have had the privilege of standing beside individuals, families, and businesses through some of life’s most important moments and challenges. We are deeply grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us throughout the years. What began as a vision to provide dedicated, client-focused legal representation has grown into…
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Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept in the construction industry. In 2026, AI-assisted design tools are increasingly being used to generate floor plans, optimize building layouts, identify code conflicts, estimate materials, coordinate subcontractor scheduling, and detect design clashes before construction begins. While these technologies promise enormous gains in efficiency and cost reduction, they also create significant legal questions regarding liability when something goes wrong. Traditionally, responsibility for design defects has been relatively straightforward. Architects and engineers owe a…
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