Ariel advises clients across a range of industries, including transportation, hospitality, telecommunications, and financial services. He represents clients before Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and other federal and state agencies, and he works with clients facing investigations and enforcement actions at both the federal and state levels. Ariel also counsels clients on the application of the Digital Advertising Alliance's (DAA) Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising, and related and emerging self-regulatory efforts in the online advertising industry.
For clients facing security incidents and data breaches, Ariel provides clients with crisis management counseling that considers legal and regulatory obligations, public relations issues, potential congressional and state attorney general scrutiny, brand reputation, and other key factors affecting businesses in these situations. As a member of Venable's Cybersecurity Risk Management Services, he collaborates with technology specialists to conduct table-top exercises, boardroom training, and enterprise-wide cyber assessments, among other engagements designed to enhance clients' cybersecurity governance, risk management, and legal compliance.
In his role leading the firm's Mobility and Transportation Technology team, Ariel works closely with manufacturers, suppliers, and technology providers to navigate the emerging legal and policy landscape being transformed by connected cars, transportation mobility technology, and the Internet of Things. His work includes supporting a leading coalition of companies to advance federal and state policy priorities related to fully automated vehicles, and providing legal counsel in such areas as automobile recalls, drones, general transportation law, and enforcement actions by NHTSA and related agencies. As a senior official in the U.S. Department of Transportation, Ariel launched the Department's new Non-traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council, oversaw the Department's efforts on spectrum policy, and developed policies and regulations governing automated vehicles, drones, hyperloop, and other innovative technologies.
In his legislative and policy work, Ariel draws from five years of experience on Capitol Hill, working as an advisor to a senior U.S. senator to help design and implement strategies and build coalitions for effective advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues. He has been involved in the development of numerous laws, rulemakings, codes of conduct, and best practices.
Ariel regularly provides thought leadership on privacy, cybersecurity, and transportation matters through speeches, panel participation, and writing. He has recently participated in public discussions of emerging transportation technology, FTC data security enforcement, and the Internet's dark web.