Overview
With over twenty-five years of experience in the railroad industry, Tim Strafford represents clients in disputes before federal agencies such as the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in federal court, and before arbitration panels. He represents clients in rate and service disputes, licensing matters, and disputes related to the preemption of state and local regulation under the ICC Termination Act of 1995 (ICCTA) and other Federal statutes. His practice also includes counselling clients on the scope of federal rail safety laws and on federal transportation grant programs such as the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.
Prior to joining Steptoe, Tim represented the railroad industry for 10 years as Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Association of American Railroads (AAR). In that capacity, Tim represented the railroad industry before federal regulatory agencies, including the STB, FRA, Federal Communications Commission, and Customs and Border Protection. He was also responsible for railroad industry matters related to federal preemption, communications law, and transborder transportation. In addition to commenting on virtually all rules proposed by the STB during his time at AAR, Tim served as the AAR’s lead in developing a Program Comment for the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 review for Positive Train Control and related Cultural Resources Fund for Native Americans.
Before joining the AAR, Tim served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the STB. During his 13 years at the STB, Tim worked as an attorney in a variety of positions in the Office of Proceedings and developed a deep understanding of the regulatory and legal issues that affect the railroad industry. He advised the Board on the full range of matters before the STB including rail construction, operation, discontinuance and abandonment, the common carrier obligation, interchange among railroads, prescribed access, and rate reasonableness. Tim was integral in the development of rules related to Stand Alone Cost rate cases and simplified rules for smaller disputes.
- District of Columbia
- New York
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- J.D., American University, Washington College of Law, 1998, Washington College of Law International Law Review
- B.A., Rutgers University, 1995, Rutgers College General Honors
Representative Matters
- Represent BNSF Railway regarding proposed merger of Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway.
- Represent BNSF Railway in common carrier service litigation before the STB brought by a coal-powered utility.
- Represented BNSF Railway in common carrier and emergency service litigation before the STB brought by an export coal shipper.
- Represented the Association American Railroads in filing an amicus brief in the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit related to ICCTA preemption.
- Represented BNSF Railway in rulemaking proceeding related to regulatory costing.
- Advised a Class I Railroad on comments regarding proposed STB rules related to prescribed switching.
- Counselled a Class I railroad on comments regarding petition for rulemaking at the STB related to privately owned rail cars.
- Serve as the freight railroad appointed arbitrator on the National Arbitration Panel that adjudicates disputes between Amtrak and host freight railroads.
- Advised a Class I railroad on federal court litigation regarding ICCTA.
- Counselled Class I railroads regarding proposed locomotive emissions rules proposed by the California Air Resources Board.
- Advised a Class I railroad regarding a dispute with another carrier regarding reasonable facilities for interchange.
- Counselled a Class III railroad regarding the implications of corporate reorganization related to the Railroad Retirement Act, the Railway Labor Act, and Federal Employers Liability Act.
- Advised a railroad customer regarding a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant.
- Counselled a motor carrier of passengers regarding STB jurisdiction.
- Advised investment company regarding regulatory issues related to the acquisition of control of a Class III railroad.
Speaking Engagements
- "Railroad Committee Report," American Bar Association, Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section Council Meeting, Spring 2025
- "Surface Transportation Board's New Reciprocal Switching Rules: Standards, Reporting, Enforcement, Impact," Webinar, August 2024
- "Evolving Standards of Rate Regulation," Steptoe Regulatory Symposium, November 2022
News & Publications
Publications
Patrick J. Fuchs is Designated as STB Chairman; Michelle Schultz is Designated as Vice Chairman
February 2025
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods, Maia Danna
Publications
The Board Approves CSXT's and CPKC's Acquisitions of MNBR Lines
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
November 2024
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods, Maia Danna
Publications
STB Chairman Martin J. Oberman Retires; Robert E. Primus is Designated as STB Chairman
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
June 2024
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods, Maia Danna
Publications
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
April 2024
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods, Maia Danna
Publications
The Board Extended Employment Data Reporting
February 2024
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods, Maia Danna
Publications
The Board Instituted an Oversight Proceeding Regarding the CPKC Merger
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
October 2023
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods, Maia Danna
Publications
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
August 2023
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods
Publications
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
June 1, 2023
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods
Publications
The Board Approves the CP/KCS Merger
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
April 2023
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods
Publications
The Board Held Public Hearing Pertaining to UP's Use of Embargoes
Association of Transportation Law Professional's Railroads Blog
January 2023
By: Linda S. Stein, Anthony J. LaRocca, Peter W. Denton, Tim Strafford, Sally Mordi, Tara A. Woods
Events
Seminars & Events
Fourth Annual Regulatory Symposium: Inflation-Killers?
November 10, 2022
Speakers: Shaun Boedicker, Ruxandra Cana, Pantelis Michalopoulos, Tim Strafford, Michael L. Weiner
Noteworthy
Publications
- "Implications of Loper Bright to the Railroad Industry," ABA Infrastructure, August 2025
- "How the Railroads Became the Vanguard of Innovation," ABA Infrastructure, August 2024
Professional Affiliations
- Chair, Railroad Committee, American Bar Association's Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section
- Member, Association of Transportation Law Professionals