Logistics giant C.H. Robinson has officially filed its merits brief in the landmark case Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, setting the stage for a Supreme Court battle that could fundamentally reshape how the American supply chain is regulated.
At the heart of the dispute is a single, high-stakes question: Can freight brokers be held liable under state laws for accidents involving the motor carriers they hire?
Legal tug-of-war
For decades, freight brokers—the middlemen who connect shippers with truck drivers—have operated under a unified federal framework. However, a recent wave of state-level lawsuits has attempted to hold these brokers responsible for traffic accidents caused by the carriers they contract.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC to decide if federal law prevents victims from suing brokers for negligent hiring under state laws. Stemming from an accident in Illinois, this ruling will have major implications for industry risk management and whether brokers face consistent nationwide regulations or varying rules from state to state.
C.H. Robinson, which manages a staggering 37 million shipments annually, argues that allowing 50 different sets of state rules would cripple the efficiency of interstate commerce.
“For nearly a century, federal law has provided one clear set of rules for how freight moves across the country,” said Dorothy Capers, Chief Legal Officer at C.H. Robinson. “That clarity matters for safety and for the economy.”
Core arguments
In the brief filed Wednesday, C.H. Robinson outlined three primary reasons why the Supreme Court should rule in their favor:
- Federal preemption: Congress designed federal law to preempt state regulations that affect the "prices, routes, and services" of brokers to ensure a uniform national market.
- Operational reality: Brokers do not own the vehicles, nor do they employ or train the drivers. The company argues that liability should remain with the motor carriers who have direct control over safety on the road.
- Economic impact: The company warns that a "fragmented system" of state precedents would create "conflicting rules for the same shipment," ultimately driving up costs for businesses and consumers alike.
What’s next?
The Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether the logistics industry continues under a unified federal framework or enters a new era of state-level litigation.
With the vast majority of U.S. goods transported by truck, the ruling will have ripple effects far beyond the courtroom, impacting everything from shipping costs to the legal responsibilities of every logistics provider in the country.
Oral arguments are scheduled for March 4, 2026.
