PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

Sophia Bernard is a transportation attorney representing established motor carriers, brokers, shippers, and drivers in all aspects of litigation related to business disputes, cargo claims, regulatory compliance, catastrophic trucking accidents, and employment litigation from inception through trial. She also advises clients regarding creative risk mitigation, developing compliance programs/structures, investigation of internal employment issues, insurance, and serves as a strategic partner.  Previously, Sophia served as national counsel for global online retailer and transportation provider where she managed litigation portfolio nationwide.

Sophia understands that trucking and other transportation companies can no longer pay exorbitant settlements or judgments along with rising tolls, skyrocketing fuel costs, and increases in fines and fees. With government oversight and regulations increasing, the cost of doing business and the economy eroding consumer demand, shippers, carriers and their insurers need attorneys committed to staying abreast of legislative, regulatory, technological and other developments that will have an impact on the industry.

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Florida

COURT ADMISSIONS

• Florida State Courts
• Florida Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit

EDUCATION

• Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D., honors
• Florida Southern College, B.A. Political Science,  honors

AFFILIATIONS

• DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar, Vice Chair – Transportation; Member, Young Lawyers Division, Committee on social media
• Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
• Florida Trucking Association
• National Bar Association, Women’s Lawyer Division, Minority Mentoring Circle Committee Member and Mentor
• Transportation Lawyers Association, Technology Committee
• Women in Trucking
• American Trucking Association
• Transportation Intermediaries Association

AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS

• Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch, 2023
• Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers®: Rising Stars, 2023
• National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40, 2020

Representative Matters

• Won Motion to Compel arbitration and dismiss Compliant on behalf of an online retailer in a class action.
• Successfully revised and instituted comprehensive employment practices policy and manual on behalf of a large Logistics Provider
• Successfully led litigation management on behalf of a global online retailer and transportation provider
• Defended, negotiated, and settled discrimination claim against large motor carrier
• Won Summary Judgement on behalf of Broker in a breach of contract action, securing over $1 million in a final judgment.
• Pursued, negotiated, and settled a Carmack Claim on behalf of a large Broker.
• Won Summary Judgment on behalf of a Trucking Company for unpaid invoices.

Publications and Presentations

• Panelist – Women in Trucking Accelerate Conference “ Self-Advocacy, promotion, negotiation, and employee rights”  (November 2024)
• Panelist – TIDA Cargo & Skills Seminar April 2024
  • Preservation of evidence
  • Good Adjusting coupled with good reporting
  • Party Relationship Caveats
• Panelist –  Florida Trucking Association Women Executive Counsel Webinar  March 2024 “Negotiation and Advocacy”
• Panelist – TIDA Webinar February 2024 “What to expect with National Tort Reform Liability and the State of the Industry”
• Guest Speaker – Freightfest October 2023 “Trend on Nuclear Verdicts”
• Guest Speaker – National Truck & Heavy Equipment Claims Counsel October 2023 “A roadmap to Cargo Claims”
• Guest Speaker  – Trucksafe July 2023 “the Current legal landscape surrounding broker liability”
• Guest Speaker – The Litigation Psychology Podcast March 2021 “Managing Trucking Litigation”