Practice Areas
Commercial negotiations with railroads on rate and service terms
STB litigation in rail rate cases and merger/consolidation proceedings
In Memoriam – Christopher A. Mills (1943-2024)
Slover & Loftus LLP
There once was a man named Chris Mills,
Whose life was a lesson in wills,
No challenge too tall,
With a smile for all,
A man who lived full to the gills.
It is with great sadness that Slover & Loftus, LLP, reports the passing of our partner, and friend, Christopher A. Mills on December 18, 2024.
Chris was a positive, energetic force who defied limitations and encouraged all who knew him to maximize their potential and achieve their goals. He always maintained his great sense of humor, which he never hesitated to share.
Chris will also be remembered as an extremely talented and multi-abled attorney who made a major impact on the rail transportation industry and the clients he served. He had a unique perspective as an attorney who spent approximately 25 years working for the Chicago and North Western Railway (“CNW”), first as an in-house attorney and then as a key member of the Energy (coal) marketing department, followed by over 20 years representing shippers and other rail stakeholders as a valued member of Slover & Loftus.
Chris had the primary legal responsibility for CNW’s successful implementation of the railroad’s project to construct more than 100 miles of new railroad line to enable it to serve the low-sulfur coal reserves Wyoming Powder River Basin. He was a key negotiator C&NW’s first rail transportation contracts for Powder River Basin coal. He also led the negotiations for the first purchase-of-service agreement between a Chicago-area commuter railroad and the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority (now Chicago Metra), as well as for C&NW’s first agreement with Amtrak following enactment of the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970.
In 1995, Chris joined Slover & Loftus. For over 20 years, he represented a diverse range of rail shipper clients, including electric utilities and cooperatives, users of rail intermodal service, and shippers of chemicals and municipal solid waste. His work included commercial negotiations with railroads on behalf of his clients and litigation in the courts and before the Surface Transportation Board in rail rate cases, merger proceedings, rulemakings and other matters.
It was a privilege and a pleasure to have worked with Chris and to have the benefit of his expertise, experience, and many connections at our disposal for so many years. As he would frequently remind us, he had “forgotten more about railroads than most could ever learn.”
Chris is survived by his devoted wife Susie, their six children Nathaniel, Hillary, Phoebe, Jessica, Whitaker, and Lucas, numerous grandchildren, and the still ongoing Rail Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation.
He will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of being in his presence.