Headed by Paul Hemmersbaugh in Washington, the team at DLA Piper LLP (US) has experience advising in IP litigation, automotive safety, and emissions regulation.

With extensive experience acting before the U.S. Supreme Court, regulatory bodies, and the Surface Transportation Board, the team at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP handles the full spectrum of litigation and regulation mandates. The group has particular strength in environmental litigation and regulation in the rail and road spaces, advising multi-national companies on a range of vehicle and engine emission issues, including the Clean Air Act. Frequently appearing for the Association of American Railroads, Thomas Dupree Jr. is well-versed in a range of product liability and class action matters. Stacie B. Fletcher is the key contact for environmental litigation and mass tort mandates. Further strengthening the team’s environmental offering is Michael Murphy, who undertakes a range of ESG-related issues in corporate transactions and compliance, alongside having experience in investigation matters. Dupree, Fletcher, and Murphy co-lead the practice from Washington, DC. Rounding out the team is Jacob Spencer, also in Washington, who is notable for his work in constitutional law and transactional litigation.

King & Spalding has a comprehensive rail and road offering, with experience advising on a range of intellectual property, government investigations, and corporate transactions. In particular, the group excels at environmental regulatory, policy, and enforcement matters. Geoffrey Drake, in Atlanta, undertakes a range of high-profile product liability and mass tort litigation. Specializing in regulation, Granta Nakayama is a key contact; likewise, Ilana Saltzbart is a key contact for environmental issues, both of whom are based in Washington. Drake, Nakayama, and Saltzbart head the team. Atlanta’s Susan Clare is well-versed in representing automotive manufacturers and transportation companies in a broad range of safety matters. In Chicago, Livia Kiser is regarded for her work on issues involving automotive cybersecurity, alternative fuel technology, and autonomous vehicle technology. With experience in the federal and state courts, Adam Reinke is noted for his work in consumer fraud class actions. Working alongside Reinke in Atlanta is Anneke Shepard, who excels in a range of personal injury and product liability matters involving automotive companies.

Dykema Gossett PLLC’s Automotive, Mobility & Transportation department handles the full gamut of litigation and regulatory matters, particularly excelling in product liability and high-profile litigation involving catastrophic accidents. Beyond this, the group is also growing its electric and autonomous vehicles offering, with a dedicated team. In Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Laura Baucus leads the team, where she is highly regarded for her work in warranty and litigation involving troubled suppliers. In Los Angeles, Dommond Lonnie is well-placed to handle a range of class-action defense mandates. Detroit’s Lisa Brown is a key contact for matters related to recall cost recovery. For autonomous vehicle systems and data mining matters, Mark Malven in Bloomfield Hills is a notable name. Split between Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Los Angeles- John Thomas is a seasoned litigator with experience in front of state and federal courts, as well as the Supreme Court. Rounding out the team are John Black in Bloomfield Hills and Daniela Gonzales Aldape in San Antonio.

The road and rail offering at Hogan Lovells US LLP is comprehensive, with a strong track record in class action suits and advising on emission standards and fuel economy regulations. Furthering its experience, the team frequently undertakes a range of international trade and labor matters in the sector. In Washington DC, Joanne Rotondi is well-placed to handle government relations for the automotive sector, as well as working on a range of vehicle and product safety, compliance, and rulemaking matters. Emily Kimball leads the rail practice from Denver, where she has a strong focus on environmental issues. Rotondi and Kimball lead the team alongside DC-based William Yavinsky. Also in DC, Ryan Ford is a key contact for vehicle sales and distribution, alongside his experience in litigation for motor vehicle manufacturers. Rounding out the team in DC is Allisa Newman, who undertakes a range of federal regulatory issues.

Advising motor carriers, freight brokers, and manufacturers, the team at Holland & Knight  undertakes a range of litigation and regulatory work. The group has particular expertise in labor matters as well as environmental cases, including advising on the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation. In Jacksonville, the team is jointly led by William Byrne and Jameson Rice; Byrne has extensive experience handling supply chain issues, and Rice is regarded for his work in transactions. Los Angeles’ Linda Auerbach Allderdice excels at investigations and litigations, with experience defending motor carriers in lawsuits. In Dallas, Charles Shewmake further strengthens the team’s litigation capabilities with experience acting before the U.S. Supreme Court. Rounding out the team in Washington DC is Kristine Little, who is well-versed in a range of regulation compliance matters, with specialisms in STB and FRA policy.

The Transportation: Automotive and Mobility team at Sidley Austin LLP advises on the full range of regulatory and litigation issues, routinely acting in matters involving high-value mergers, constitutional law, and regulatory change. Beyond this, the group also has expertise in financing and environmental matters. Raymond Atkins has extensive experience supporting clients in Surface Transportation Board proceedings, competition law matters, and appellate litigation. For acquisition and merger matters, Matthew Warren is a notable name. Undertaking a range of internal investigations, compliance reviews, and wider environmental matters, Justin Savage is the first point of call. Atkins, Warren, and Savage lead the group alongside Adam Raviv, who advises on a range of safety, fuel economy, and regulatory compliance matters. Allison Davis further strengthens the team, being a key contact for investors and investors. The team is primarily based out of Washington DC.

Excelling in railroad regulatory and litigation, the transportation team at Steptoe LLP has extensive experience in advising on environmental and construction matters, alongside advising on a range of commercial disputes before the federal and state courts. Beyond this, the group also frequently acts in economic regulation matters, rail labor issues, and advises in the interaction between freight and passenger railroads over shared lines. Spearheading the practice is Linda Stein, who is well-versed in civil litigation, particularly in contractual dispute matters in the space. For economic regulations and preemption matters, Anthony LaRocca is a key contact. Peter Denton is a notable name for US freight railroads, public authority owners, and rail equipment suppliers. Fielding experience in front of the Surface Transportation Board, Onika Williams undertakes a range of administrative and constitutional law matters. Also frequently acting in front of the STB, Sally Mordi also handles a range of acquisition and leasing matters. All team members are based in Washington DC.

The transportation team at Thompson Hine LLP advises on the full gamut of regulation and litigation matters in the rail and automotive space. In particular, the group excels in hazardous material transportation and common carrier obligations- frequently acting on matters involving the Surface Transportation Board. Leading the group, Karyn Booth is the first port of call for trade associations, transportation intermediaries, and private fleet brokers for matters involving safety regulations, hazardous material compliance, and cross-border trucking agreements. For contract negotiation, property issues, and wider regulatory compliance, David Benz is a key contact. Sandra Brown advises a range of clients on the movement of hazardous materials by rail and excels in crisis management plans caused by derailments. Litigation matters are well handled by Jeffrey Moreno, who also undertakes a range of work in rail line transactions and rate regulation matters. The team is based in Washington DC.

With a strong automotive focus, the team at ArentFox Schiff is well-versed in a range of litigation and regulation matters, including regulatory counselling, corporate due diligence, and incident response. Recently, the group has been advising private equity companies in investing in dealership platforms and wider auto-tech ventures. In Los Angeles, team head Aaron Jacoby handles a comprehensive range of matters, including advising on emerging technology regulatory frameworks, government investigations, and class action suits. New York’s Russell McRory undertakes a range of dealership matters such as franchise acquisitions, factory relations, and regulatory compliance. For labor and employment matters in this space, Paul Marshall Harris is a key contact. Undertaking a range of dispute work, Michael McMahan has experience working on appeals for dealerships and is based in New York.

Advising passenger and freight railroad companies, investors, and public transit agencies, the transportation team at Dentons has a comprehensive rail and road offering - advising on a range of economic regulatory issues, railroad formation, and liability issues. Heading the team from Washington DC, David Hirsch is well-positioned to handle rail mergers and acquisitions, as well as advise clients on commercial relationships within regulatory frameworks. Chicago’s Shannon Shin is recognized for her work in commercial litigation, particularly in cases involving product liability and complex insurance matters. In addition to this, she also has experience in conducting corporate internal investigations. Former Supreme Court clerk Simon Steel in Washington DC frequently undertakes a range of work in antitrust and consumer protection cases. Also in DC, Katherine Daw specializes in anti-corruption and antitrust matters.

The team at Kirkland & Ellis LLP excels at litigation and arbitration matters, acting in suits involving government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and the U.S. Department of Labor. In particular, the group acts in product liability, mass tort matters, class actions, and environmental issues. In Chicago, Renee Smith is well-versed in product liability matters, acting in a comprehensive range of class action matters. For environmental litigation, Daniel Donovan, who is based in Washington DC, is a key contact. Hariklia Karis undertakes a range of work in investigations and crisis management in the railroad sphere, working from Chicago. Also based in Chicago is Robert Ellis, who acts on a range of hazardous material and derailment matters.

The team at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP excels at dealership litigation and regulation, advising on the establishment of new dealers, enforcement action matters, as well as a range of franchising and distribution matters. The practice also has experience in electric vehicle mandates and product liability matters. In South Carolina, Steven McKelvey is frequently engaged in establishing new dealership locations, addressing a range of warranty reimbursement issues, and resolving ownership disputes. California's Richard Otera is well-versed in advising both leading motor vehicle manufacturers and emerging companies in the space. Also in South Carolina, Sally Caver is a key contact for commercial contract negotiations. Rounding out the team in Washington DC is Christie Iannetta. McKelvey, Otera, and Caver lead the team alongside South Carolina’s Ronnie McMahan and Dallas-based Suzanne Swaner. Andy Bertron retired in December 2025.

Frequently supporting automotive manufacturers, suppliers, industry groups, and trade associations, the team at Venable LLP has extensive experience advising on regulatory matters and policy frameworks. The group has particular strength in autonomous vehicles, advising the autonomous vehicle industry association as well as advising on zero-emission commercial vehicles, where the team works closely with Powering America’s Commercial Transportation group. Practice head Ariel Wolf is regarded for his work on emerging technology in the sector, counselling on a range of privacy, cybersecurity, and safety issues. Tara Sugiyama Potashnik is a key contact for self-regulatory codes, consumer finance, and e-commerce matters. Bolstering the team’s regulatory practice is David Bonelli, who has extensive experience managing autonomous vehicle policy development. Ian Williams is another key contact. The team is primarily based in Washington DC.