About Fletcher & Sippel

Our History

Fletcher & Sippel began in 2000 with four attorneys who focused on regulatory and litigation matters.

We have grown significantly since then, not only by adding several attorneys, but also by diversifying our client base and the areas of practice. By steady growth and key acquisitions of experienced counsel, we are able to offer a broad range of services for our clients. We have attorneys licensed in several states, and our client base is not only nationwide, but also international.

Fletcher & Sippel LLC is unique as a law firm that caters specifically to clients involved in the rail industry and that can address nearly every legal problem a rail client is likely to face. We have experienced business counselors, trial attorneys, regulatory counsel and labor negotiators. Other law firms may have a group of attorneys who handle rail matters, but invariably they focus on one or two aspects of railroad legal affairs and do not deal comprehensively with the business of railroading, whether it be structuring acquisitions, counseling operating and marketing officers or litigating injury and commercial claims. Several of our partners have substantial in-house railroad experience which gives them special insight into the day-to-day business and legal issues of our clients. All of our attorneys maintain a network of contacts at railroads, shippers, suppliers, labor unions and governmental agencies which is unparalleled.

  • Billing Practices

    In our experience, clients are more than willing to pay for the legal services they receive, but do not appreciate being billed for every ancillary activity of the law firm. We agree with that perspective. We try to establish hourly rates that fairly compensate us for the legal work we provide, while leaving the cost of routine office functions where it can be managed – with us.

    Thus, unlike most law firms, Fletcher & Sippel LLC does not charge clients for office copying, fax transmissions, long distance or local telephone calls, computer research, secretarial overtime, postage and letter-sized overnight packages. We regard these items as normal overhead, which is our responsibility. Large copying projects, court reporters, expert witnesses, and travel expenses for client business are billed back to the client at actual cost, and are never “marked-up.” Whether we bill for travel time depends on the nature of the work and travel involved, and is always subject to prior understanding with the client.

    We encourage any kind of alternative billing arrangement that works well for our clients. While most of our work is billed on a traditional hourly basis, we have entered into contingent fees, blended rates, fee caps, volume discounts and fixed fee arrangements. We are willing to consider these or other arrangements that facilitate our clients’ needs.

  • Professional Associations

    In addition to numerous local and state bar associations, Fletcher & Sippel attorneys are involved with several transportation-related trade associations. Fletcher & Sippel attorneys serve on the boards of or on committees for many of these organizations and regularly give presentations at association meetings. Some of the organizations in which we are active include the following:

Fletcher & Sippel LLC
29 North Wacker Dr, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606-3208

(312) 252-1500 (Main)
(312) 252-2400 (Fax)

Chicago, Il
29 North Wacker Dr, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606-3208

(312) 252-1500 (Main)
(312) 252-2400 (Fax)

Jackson, MS
4400 Old Canton Road, Suite 220,
Jackson, MS 39211-5982

(601) 414-6009 (Main)
(601) 414-6016 (Fax)



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