Linda J. Morgan

Linda Morgan has over 30 years of in-depth regulatory and legislative experience in the transportation industry.  She focuses her practice on railroad and other transportation matters and associated legislative, governmental, and policy issues. 

Prior to joining Nossaman, Ms. Morgan was chair of the Transportation Practice Group and co-chair of the Government Affairs Group at an international law firm.  In 1995, President Clinton appointed her as Chairman of the former Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), which became the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in 1996.  In this role, she presided over numerous transportation regulatory proceedings, including rail rate and service matters and railroad merger cases of unprecedented national scope and complexity. In 1999, the Senate confirmed Ms. Morgan for a second term, and in 2001, President Bush asked for her continued service as Chairman until he designated a new Chairman in December 2002.

Prior to joining the ICC, Ms. Morgan served for 15 years as counsel with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, including seven years as General Counsel.  During this period, Ms. Morgan was responsible for much of the legislation that established the framework for today's transportation system, including surface transportation policy that she later was in charge of implementing as Chairman of the ICC and the STB.

Representative Work

• Surface Transportation Board Activities.  Represents clients before the STB on matters relating to general rulemakings on rates and services, rate complaint cases, abandonment and other restructuring proceedings, and the environmental review process. 
• Department of Transportation Regulations.  Assists clients with transportation safety requirements, including the packaging and transportation of hazardous materials, private fleet compliance, and accident investigations.
• Transportation Infrastructure Projects.  Assists clients on securing project authorization from federal, state, and local transportation authorities.  Work includes assistance with the environmental review process, the doctrine of preemption, foreign investment and general financing issues, risk allocation and operational protocols, and legislative activity.
• Transportation Legislation.  Advises clients on legislative and regulatory activities affecting the transportation industry and assists in proposing and drafting new legislation.