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
• Transportation and Logistics Council
• Trustee Member
• Transportation Club of Jacksonville

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 in Florida 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 nationwide
• Successfully led litigation management on behalf of a global online retailer and transportation provider nationwide
• Defendant, negotiated, and settled discrimination claim against large motor carrier
• Won Summary Judgement in Florida 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 in Florida on behalf of a Trucking Company for unpaid invoices.
• Negotiated settlement on behalf of Broker in a hotly contested earnout dispute in Oregon State.
• Won Motion for Summary Judgment In Florida on behalf of freight broker based on FAAAA preemption in case involving a fatality and an underinsured motor carrier.
• Won Motion for Summary Judgment in Maryland State Court on behalf of Freight Broker based on no evidence.
• Won breach of contract case on behalf of large broker in a hotly contested arbitration trial in California State Court.

Publications and Presentations

• Panelist – Women in Trucking Accelerate Conference
  • “ Self-Advocacy, promotion, negotiation, and employee rights” (November 2024)
  • Business Practices and Policies: But Are They Legal? (November 2025)
• Panelist – TIDA Cargo & Skills Seminar April 2024 to present
  • 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”
• Teacher – ClaimsXChange Transportation ClaimsAcademy 2025 to present.
• Moderator – Transportation Lawyers Association (TLI) 2025 The Age of AI – Using AI for all aspects of legal practice: Contracts, Litigation, Compliance, Etc..
• CLE Presenter – TRTCLE “Unlocking the Road Ahead in Transportations Law”
• CLE Presenter – Barbri “Defending Freight Brokers and Transportation Intermediaries After Trucking Accidents: Leveraging FMCSA Guidance
• TRT CLE  2025 –  “Records Retention, Storage, Destruction, and Letters of Preservation”
• Guest Speaker/ Seminar Co-Chair – TIDA Advanced Seminar “The Strategic Importance of Truck Driver Depositions”