Bradon J. Smith

Bradon is a native of Midland, Michigan. After graduating in 2006 from the University of Michigan with a B.A. double major in History (with honors) and Political Science (with distinction), he attended the University of Iowa College of Law. He graduated with distinction in 2013. His note, “Changing Signals, a New Approach to the Enforcement of Rail Passenger Traffic Preference in Response to the Passenger Investment and Improvement Act of 2008” was published in the Journal of Corporation Law (38 J. Corp. L. 441) (2013)) and has been cited in further scholarship.

He is admitted to practice in Illinois, Michigan, and Maryland; before the United States District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, the Western District of Michigan, and the Western District of Tennessee; the Federal Court of Claims; and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the Tenth Circuit, and the District of Columbia Circuit.

Bradon is also a member of the Association of Transportation Law Professionals; he was its President from 2024-25. He has made presentations on trade and tariffs to the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers and on federal preemption related to state regulation on safety and employment matters to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. He has also served on the Board of the National Association of Rail Shippers and is active in the Michigan Railroad Association.

Dura-Bond Pipe, L.L.C. et al. v. Cleveland-Cliffs Railways Inc., 2025 WL 3565074 (Surface Transportation Board 2025). A regulatory complaint and motion for preliminary injunction resulted in a stipulated dismissal; this was due to satisfaction of client demands even before a responsive pleading.

RJ Corman Tennessee Terminal v. Mallory Alexander International Logistics LLC et al., 2023 WL 4477304 (W.D. Tenn. 2023). In a collections action by a carrier against a consignee and “c/o” party, successfully opposed motion by defendants to prolong the action by referral to federal administrative agency. The success in opposing the motion resulted in favorable settlement.

National Railroad Passenger Corporation — Petition for Proceeding, 2021 WL 3641579 (Surace Transportation Board 2021). Represented Chicago commuter authority to satisfactory conclusion of demand by federal-sponsored rail carrier for contributions to costs associated with Chicago Union Station. The case resulted in a significant decrease to cost share amount relative to the federal demand, and avoidance of a fixed charge for capital improvements.

Calumet Realty, L.P. et al. v. Chicago Rail Link et al, Case No. No. 16-CH-3780, (Cook Co. Chanc. Div. Jun. 5, 2019). Obtained summary judgment for client on state ejectment proceeding against railroad on basis of federal preemption. 

Boston & Maine Corporation — Adverse Discontinuance — Milford Bennington Railroad Company, Inc., 2018 WL 4951945 (Surface Transportation Board 2018). Successfully defeated an eviction-like proceeding against a rail operator by landlord rail carrier. Federal agency found the public convenience and necessity was served by client-tenant’s continued service over landlord’s objection.

Panelist/Presenter, “Rail Mergers — What’s Ahead?” Transportation Lawyers Association Regional Seminar and Bootcamp, Chicago, IL (January 2026)

Panelist, “Tariffs, Trade, and Transportation”, Southwest Association of Rail Shippers Bi-Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ (October 2025)

Presenter, “Friends with Benefits — Making Federal Employment Law Work for You”, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Annual Conference, Denver, CO (April 2025)

Presenter, “Federal Preemption and Covid-19: Tools for the Next Pandemic”, Association of Transportation Law Professionals Annual Meeting (June 2020).

“Changing Signals, a New Approach to the Enforcement of Rail Passenger Traffic Preference in Response to the Passenger Investment and Improvement Act of 2008,” Journal of Corporation Law, Vol. 38 (2013)