Andrew Spector

Andrew R. Spector is a litigation trial attorney. He also provides strategic business and comprehensive risk management counsel. Mr. Spector provides specialized representation in the areas of international trade litigation and logistics. He provides national and international representation for global logistics providers, ocean transportation intermediaries, indirect air carriers, air carriers, non-vessel operating common carriers, property brokers, third party logistics providers, customs brokers and international businesses, as well as cargo legal liability and general liability insurers, errors and omissions insurers and first-party cargo insurers in the transportation and cargo realm.

Mr. Spector has established landmark precedents in the international trade, logistics and transportation arena in excess of 25 significant published court decisions, including:

• Prima U.S. Inc. v. Panalpina Inc., 223 F.3d 126 (2d Cir. 2000)
• Capitol Converting Equipment v. LEP Transport, 965 F.2d. 391 (7th Cir. 1992)
• General Electric v. Harper Robinson, 818 F. Supp. 31 (E.D.N.Y., 1993)
• ABN Amro Verzekeringen BV and Hartford Insurance Co. v. Geologistics Americas Inc., 485 F.3d 85, (2d Cir. 2007); 128 S.Ct. 1739, 170 L.Ed.2d 539 (Affirmed)
• Winter v. Union-Air Transport, 650 So.2d 45 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994)
• United Kingdom v. Panalpina, 1 F. Supp. 2d 521 (D.Md. 1998)
• Ram Sourcing Agency v. Seaboard Marine, 995 F. Supp. 1465 (S.D. Fla. 1997)
• Eli Lilly v. Lufthansa Cargo, 602 F. Supp 2d 1260 (S.D. Fla. 2009)
• Morgan Home Fashions Inc. v. UTi, United States, Inc., 2004 WL 1950370 (D.N.J. 2004)
• Card's Dept. Store, Inc. v. FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage, Inc., 2014 WL 3809811 (E.D.N.Y. 2014)
• Indemnity Insurance Company of North America v. Agility Logistics Corporation, 324 F.Supp.3d 400 (S.D.N.Y. 2018)
• CEVA Logistics U.S., Inc. v. ACME Truck Line, Inc., 2018 WL 6694606 (Tex. App. Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 20, 2018)

Mr. Spector coined the phrase “travel agent for cargo,” as adopted by U.S. Court of Appeals for 2nd Circuit in the Prima case, in establishing the bright-line legal standard to define logistics services. His litigation efforts have resulted in the enforcement of limitations of liability case law in multiple jurisdictions throughout the country . Mr. Spector has represented clients in litigation matters ranging from disputes concerning military project logistics contracts through the Iraq War Zone, Montreal Convention litigation involving temperature sensitive pharmaceutical product losses, service agreements involving worldwide multimodal transport arrangements, customs broker error and omissions defense involving the Environmental Protection Agency Act, International Traffic and Arms Regulations, customs broker negligence concerning the classification of oil and gas for import to supply chain interruption claims arising from a cargo plane crash, defense of putative anti-trust class action alleging pricing fixing of shipping charges, defense of False Claims Act allegations concerning transportation for military projects, defense of allegation concerning logistics company violation of OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) regulations , successful resolution one of the largest TSA penalty cases against an indirect air carrier ever to be prosecuted and creation of successful opt out strategy for a 3PL from an onerous service agreement and underlying lease to mitigate against on-going financial losses.

Mr. Spector has in-depth knowledge of the various functions that logistics companies perform in servicing the export and import community while providing supply chain solutions for shippers and consignees. His experience includes, but is not limited to, warehouse distribution, incoterms, letter of credit, air waybills, bills of lading, international agency agreements, master service agreements, charter agreements, representation before the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Justice, Federal Maritime Commission, Department of Defense, Bureau of Industry and Security, Customs, London Metal Exchange among other government agencies, and international project logistics contracts on a worldwide basis.

Further, Mr. Spector has created cutting edge and cost-effective claim strategies and risk management models for insurers, business enterprises and logistics companies. He has utilized his detailed comprehension of the logistics industry in fostering the emergence of precedent setting cases from courts throughout the United States. This experience enables Mr. Spector to also provide proactive planning advice to multinational logistics companies and transport service providers in their daily business endeavors to minimize liability and risk.

Mr. Spector’s inside knowledge of the operational aspects of the logistics industry anchors the firm’s logistics and transport group that provides an unparalleled keenly focused representation to the industry in areas including, but not limited to, export compliance, customs, employment, licensing, response to government investigation, regulatory, compliance, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, bankruptcy; while keenly focused upon the specific needs of multinational global supply chain service providers.

Mr. Spector has given multiple private client presentations on the subjects of risk management, insurance and logistics legal liability trends. He has also provided numerous training seminars for insurers on legal liability and logistics law.

Prior to forming Spector Rubin, Mr. Spector previously was a founding partner of the law firm of Hyman Spector and Mars, LLP of Miami and the Managing Partner of the Miami office of Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP.

• Florida Super Lawyers (International Law, Transportation/Maritime Law), 2006, 2009, 2011–2024

• Emory University School of Law, J.D.
• Adelphi University, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude 

• State of Florida
• State of New York
• State of Texas

• United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• United States Court of International Trade
• United States Supreme Court
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
• United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

• When Global Logistics Arrive at the US Crossroad British Association of Cargo Surveyors , May 2017, London , England
• Terms and Conditions to Run an Efficient Business Conference of the Americas ,November, 2016, Miami, Florida
• How to Minimize Logistics Liability Risks, NCBFAA Conference April 2015, Orlando, Florida
• Identification of MAP 21, Distinctions for U.S., Domestic Transit June 2014, London, England
• Domestic Transportation under MAP 21 NCBFFA Conference April 2014, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Created and presented a Logistics Error and Omission Mock Trial at National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Annual Conference March 2013, Palm Springs, California
• Managing the Indemnification Dilemma- A US Law Perspective March 2013, London, England
• How to Utilize Terms and Conditions September 2013, Miami, Florida
• Defining Logistics Services by Contract Terms April 2012 | Speaking Engagements | Atlanta, Georgia
• Where International Meets Domestic April 2012 | NCBFFA Conference | Hollywood, Florida
• Simulated ‘Mock’ Trial Educating the Transportation and Logistics Industry as to Legal Issues that Arise from Shipping and International Trade Transactions December 2010 | Newark, New Jersey
• Emerging liabilities for indirect air carriers and air carriers as a result of air cargo and security and screening initiatives May 2010 | Miami, Florida
• How to Protect Yourself and Your Cargo from a Carrier or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier Going Bankrupt October 2009 | Miami, Florida

• “New Court Ruling Disregards Rail Carrier’s Limitation of Liability” 
  Nov. 2013
• “Hurricane Sandy Provides Valuable Risk Management Lessons for Global Logistics Providers” 
  World Trade 100, February 1, 2013
• “The New California Reefer Container Law: More Regulatory Compliance Hurdles for Transportation Brokers and Forwarders” 
  World Trade 100, December 20, 2012
  “Ways to Red Flag Fraud” 
  The Quest, August 01, 2011 
  “NVOCC Held Liable for Vessel Fire “
  “Forwarder e-news October, 2018
  

• Andy Spector Quoted in Inbound Logistics Article About Ocean Freight Industry April 26, 2012 | In the News | Inbound Logistics
• Andrew Spector Quoted in FiercePharma Manufacturing January 21, 2012 | In the News | FiercePharma Manufacturing

andrew.spector@spectorrubin.com
Direct Line: (305) 537-2002