C.H. Robinson Appeals to Supreme Court for National Standards in Freight Brokerage

Logistics provider C.H. Robinson is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to maintain a unified set of federal regulations for freight brokers. The company argues that implementing different state laws could jeopardize safety, elevate costs, and generate confusion within supply chains across the nation.

Background on the Case

This appeal comes as C.H. Robinson filed a merits brief in the case of Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC. This landmark decision will determine if freight brokers can be held accountable under state laws for accidents involving federally licensed motor carriers. The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on March 4, 2026.

Federal Preemption at Stake

The crux of the issue lies in whether federal legislation supersedes state claims that seek to hold brokers liable for their choices in carrier selection. C.H. Robinson contends that for nearly a century, the freight transportation sector has functioned within a consolidated federal framework designed to ensure safe and consistent movement of goods across state borders.

“For nearly a century, federal law has provided one clear set of rules for how freight moves across the country. That clarity matters for safety and for the economy,” said Dorothy Capers, Chief Legal Officer at C.H. Robinson.

The Role of Freight Brokers

C.H. Robinson emphasizes that brokers do not operate trucks, hire drivers, or dictate daily driving actions. According to federal regulations, these responsibilities lie with motor carriers, which are nationally licensed and regulated. The company argues that allowing state courts to impose varied standards would obscure these distinctions and inadvertently shift accountability from those actually operating the vehicles.

“Permitting 50 different state court systems to impose their own standards on federally licensed motor carriers would fragment a system built for consistency, create conflicting rules for the same shipment, and increase costs and uncertainty across supply chains,” Capers noted.

Potential Impact of the Supreme Court’s Decision

This case also represents the first instance in which the Supreme Court will directly evaluate the applicability of the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 to state tort claims against freight brokers. Despite its name, this legislation governs both trucking and brokerage services, limiting state regulation in these areas.

Legal experts indicate that the outcome could clarify a landscape that has become increasingly fragmented, with various courts reaching divergent conclusions in similar cases. A ruling favoring federal preemption would foster greater certainty for brokers, carriers, and shippers operating across state lines.