Where We Stand: Self-Advocacy, Promotion, Negotiation & Employee Rights for Women in Trucking

Elle Slattery is a Partner at the boutique transportation law firm of Taylor Nelson, PL, specializing in regulatory compliance and corporate restructuring. She enjoys creating practical legal and operational solutions for clients that minimize exposure while taking into account the realities of a competitive, complex industry. She routinely handles mergers and acquisitions of transportation entities from both the buyer and seller side, ensuring the fair valuation of companies and the smooth transition of operations throughout the transaction process and beyond. The challenges of balancing the frameworks of state and federal transportation regulations, employment classification requirements, insurance policy provisions, and general business law make this work particularly exciting and fulfilling. Prior to her career in transportation law, Slattery served as a litigator and special adviser in the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Employment, Litigation, and Information at the United States Department of Commerce. There, she specialized in defending the work-product and privileged communications of the Executive Office of the Secretary and represented the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Freedom of Information Act litigation.  She is well-versed in federal regulatory procedure, and is a frequent speaker at industry events, presenting on the importance of holistic Enterprise Risk Management for transportation companies. 

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, Bernard served as national counsel for global online retailer and transportation provider where she managed litigation portfolio nationwide. Bernard 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

Elana G. Faniel is an experienced litigation and transactional attorney. She has litigated commercial, intellectual property, and personal injury cases. She has also served as outside general counsel to small businesses and represented clients in commercial transactions. Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, Faniel’s practice focused on protecting, enforcing, and exploiting her clients’ intellectual property assets.

Alyssa Milby is an associate attorney serving in the firm’s litigation and corporate practice groups. Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, Milby’s practice consisted of first-party property insurance matters as well as commercial disputes related to construction and real estate. Milby prides herself on providing attentive, personalized service to her clients in order to achieve desired results.

Amelia Kozlowski is an associate in the firm’s government contracting and litigation practice groups. Kozlowski’s government contracts and compliance experience includes assisting with large scale internal FAR/DFAR compliance audits, contract disputes and reviews, and purchasing processes. She is proficient in all stages of the civil litigation process. Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, Kozlowski worked on a wide range of litigation matters, including complex contract, employment, and other civil disputes. Kozlowski is a responsive, passionate, and committed legal advocate who diligently provides her clients with business focused, implementable solutions.

Mercy Roberg is an associate attorney serving in the firm’s litigation and corporate practice groups. Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, Roberg’s practice consisted of lead litigation counsel for a Florida legal aid firm where she also served as director of operations for the firm. Through her experience, Roberg provides a unique understanding of issues facing clients from an operational standpoint to trial. Mercy has served as counsel in over two hundred mediations and has a keen eye for what helps clients reach their goals.

Aliyah Lewis is a skilled transactional attorney with significant experience handling commercial real estate matters. Specializing in transactions, leasing, and development, she has represented a diverse clientele, including property developers, investors, and corporate tenants. Lewis possesses a comprehensive understanding of real estate regulations and market trends, leading to her success in client representation. In addition to her real estate experience, she has regulatory and compliance expertise where she guided credit unions and financial institutions through compliance frameworks. Her expertise extends across regulatory landscapes, ensuring that businesses operate within legal parameters while minimizing risk. With a commitment to excellence, Lewis combines legal acumen with a strategic approach, making her a trusted advisor whether navigating the intricacies of real estate transactions or regulatory compliance. Her proactive approach and attention to detail have proven invaluable in crafting effective legal strategies, earning her a reputation for providing sound counsel to business clients and corporations.

Prior to starting her legal career, Lewis attended Waseda University in Japan, where she studied Japanese and international law concepts, applying the knowledge and experience abroad to her time at the University of Alabama School of Law. While in law school, Lewis founded a registered student organization for first-year law students, which was later incorporated into the Diversity and Inclusion department upon her graduation.

In her downtime, Lewis enjoys adding stamps to her passport and trying multicultural cuisine.