WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has combined its two legal offices into one and named Anika Cooper as chief counsel, the board has announced.
The changes were announced Monday (Aug. 4, 2025), but took effect on Aug. 1. A board press release says the moves will “streamline and improve drafting and review procedures, which will benefit the board and the public. “
The new Office of Chief Counsel combines the previous Office of General Counsel, which provided advice on legal matters and defended the STB in court, and the Office of Proceedings, which drafted agency decisions, processed filings and decisions, and managed the related database. It will also include the board’s Chief of Passenger Rail and Investigations, who will assemble a team from across the board’s various disciplines when a proceeding is initiated. This will replace the board’s Office of Passenger Rail.
Pending a revision of board rules, all references to the two previous offices will be treated as a reference to the Office of Chief Counsel. More details on the change are available in the board’s decision creating the new office.
The change was approved by a 3-0 vote, with member Robert Primus not participating.
