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Union Designated Counsel

Railroad union lawyers for every rail craft.

William McMahon and James Farina are Designated Legal Counsel for SMART-TD, and James Farina is Designated Legal Counsel for the Transportation Communications Union. We represent injured members of every rail craft, wherever the railroad put them to work.

Free Case Evaluation (888) 425-1212

What designated legal counsel means

Rail unions designate law firms to represent their injured members in FELA claims. A union names a firm after it has seen how that firm handles railroad cases and treats its members. SMART-TD has appointed William McMahon and James Farina as Designated Legal Counsel, and the Transportation Communications Union has appointed James Farina.

Designation is a recommendation, not a requirement. Every injured railroader can choose their own lawyer, and FELA protects members of every craft the same way.

Lawyers representing an injured union member can refer the case to us or bring us in as co-counsel. See railroad attorney referrals.

The Crafts

Members we represent, craft by craft.

  1. SMART-TD

    SMART Transportation Division

    Conductors, trainmen, engineers and yardmasters

    Designated Legal Counsel: William J. McMahon and James L. Farina

  2. TCU

    Transportation Communications Union

    Clerks, carmen and on-board service workers

    Designated Legal Counsel: James L. Farina

  3. BLET

    Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

    Locomotive engineers and trainmen

    The BLET recommends attorneys who belong to the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys. James Farina sits on its Board of Managers, and William McMahon is a member.

  4. BMWED

    Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes

    Track, bridge and building workers

    Members we represent

  5. BRS

    Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen

    Signal maintainers and signal construction crews

    Members we represent

  6. IAM

    International Association of Machinists

    Machinists in locomotive and car shops

    Members we represent

  7. IBEW

    International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

    Railroad electricians

    Members we represent

  8. NCFO

    National Conference of Firemen and Oilers

    Laborers, hostlers and shop workers

    Members we represent

  9. SMART-SM

    SMART Sheet Metal (formerly SMWIA)

    Sheet metal workers in railroad shops

    Members we represent

Hoey, Farina & McMahon is not affiliated with any union. Union names are used only to identify their members.

Union Members Ask

Questions about union counsel.

Do I have to use my union’s designated counsel?

No. You can hire any lawyer you choose for a FELA claim. A designated counsel program means the union has vetted the firm for representing injured members.

Does it matter which union I belong to?

Not for your rights. FELA covers every railroad employee hurt on the job, in every craft, and the FRSA protects every railroad worker who reports an injury or a safety hazard.

Will my union rep be involved?

Your local chairman can help with the railroad’s investigation and your contract rights. We handle the injury claim and work alongside your union where it helps you.

Free Case Evaluation · No Win, No Fee

The railroad has its lawyers. Get yours.

Tell us what happened. We will give you straight answers about your rights, your deadlines, and what your claim may be worth. Free and confidential.

Start your evaluation (888) 425-1212