My name is Keith Waters, and I am currently a senior in-house counsel at a mid-stage 3PL startup, where I manage commercial contracts and provide assistance to the company’s insurance and compliance functions. Prior to my current role, I spent five years working for one of the largest third-party logistics providers in the world. In my role there as corporate counsel, I was the Americas region’s lead commercial contracts attorney for all transportation lines of business, which included managed transportation, freight brokerage, international ocean and air freight forwarding, customs brokerage and export services, cross-border parcel shipping, and foreign trade zones. I also served as the risk manager for the same company for two years, where I was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day insurance operations.
I have experience handling a wide variety of legal responsibilities in the transportation and logistics industry, including negotiating customer and carrier contracts, managing cargo claims, overseeing risk management and insurance, advising on regulatory compliance, and developing internal policies and procedures. I also bring a somewhat unique view to these issues, having managed insurance and legal issues from “inside the trenches” at both small and large 3PL’s.
When I was a rookie risk manager and attorney at a large 3PL, I found it difficult to find up to date, practical advice on how to handle the daily legal issues facing transportation and logistics professionals. While I read everything I could get my hands on, it seemed that the majority of available information was either narrowly focused on trucking companies or was a law review article discussing some arcane maritime law from 200 years ago (general average, anyone?). While I would not call myself an expert in the field, I have learned a thing or two after having reviewed and negotiated hundreds of transportation and logistics contracts, managed dozens of cargo claims, and handled a litany of other legal issues in the logistics field.
This blog is my attempt to help simplify and provide practical advice on important concepts in transportation and logistics law. If you are involved in the supply chain in any capacity, I think you may find something valuable here, whether you are a customer, 3PL, or carrier, and whether you are an attorney, insurance professional, or a business person.
If you would like to discuss any of the articles on this blog or have recommendations for a future topic, please reach out to me via email.
The views I express on this blog do not represent the views of my current or former employers. The information is not, and is not intended to be, legal advice, and is for general informational purposes only.
Email: keith@logisticslaw.net
Five Things You Should Know About Logistics Law 