Autonomous and Connected Mobility

Regulatory Engagement and Advocacy

• Represented a leading truck manufacturer in obtaining joint Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approval for an exemption to requirements affecting the attachment of advanced sensor technology to commercial motor vehicles
• Obtained interpretation from the NHTSA chief counsel permitting use of client’s technology under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard related to lighting equipment installed on passenger motor vehicles
• Advanced novel regulatory concepts on behalf of a mobility technology developer that were included in the USDOT’s proposed update to the New Car Assessment Program
• Representing a Tier 1 automotive supplier on autonomous, connected, and electrification vehicle regulation; spectrum policy; autonomous vehicle supply chain matters; cybersecurity and privacy; and antitrust policy before NHTSA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Representing vehicle manufacturers, software companies, and automotive service providers, drafted and submitted dozens of technical comments on regulatory proposals pending before the USDOT and its related agencies, as well as state transportation agencies, commissions, and related regulatory bodies

Compliance Counseling

• Counseling automotive and technology supply chain clients on emerging and evolving legal issues in the connectivity, driver-assist, and autonomous vehicle markets, including those related to state and federal liability, safety standards, electrification, privacy and cybersecurity, and federal procurement
• Representing a publicly traded sensor manufacturer and software developer on a range of regulatory and corporate matters, including strategic guidance on autonomous vehicles, ADAS, advanced robotics, and unmanned aircraft system supply chain matters
• Advising an international vehicle manufacturer with revenues exceeding $40 billion on the development and enhancement of its U.S. safety strategy and policy priorities
• Advising a transportation solutions and logistics company on data ownership issues arising from agreements with vehicle manufacturers with which it engaged in early-phase autonomous vehicle programs
• Assessing federal and state motor vehicle obligations and standards affecting vehicle design and operation for a well-funded, fully electric motor vehicle startup in stealth mode

Industry Trade Associations and Coalitions

• Serving as general counsel to the Self-Driving Coalition, the leading association for the autonomous vehicle industry in the United States. Advises the Coalition on all legal and policy issues affecting the AV industry at the federal, state, and local levels; testifies before legislative and regulatory bodies on the Coalition’s behalf; and serves as spokesperson for the Coalition in all media environments. Under this direction, the Coalition has tripled in size and launched new workstreams related to autonomous trucking and international AV standards development
• Convened the Lidar Coalition, an entity comprising U.S. and international manufacturers of automotive lidar, to provide a forum for advancing regulatory and policy initiatives before the USDOT and Congress
• Served as lead counsel for a consortium of companies in negotiations with representatives from congressional committees, and organized labor regarding crash data reporting requirements for commercial vehicles

More than two dozen Venable attorneys experienced in innovative transportation matters, including several who have served in government positions, such as:

• U.S. Secretary of Transportation
• Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives, Energy and Commerce Committee
• Counselor to the Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
• Chief Counsel, U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)