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Amna Arshad

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Areas of Focus

Overview

A former senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Amna has deep knowledge and experience in aviation issues, having drafted regulations, and led investigations, audits, and enforcement actions. Her government insights and relationships combined with her several years of experience at top US Am Law 100 firms advising all types of global transportation clients—from major U.S. and non-U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, to transportation start-ups, as well as Fortune 200 companies—provide her a unique ability to counsel her clients through their most pressing challenges, including internal or government investigations, litigation/enforcement defense, and compliance counseling. Amna is a trusted leader who works with her clients to craft business-focused legal strategies, manage risk, and resolve complex issues with practical solutions.

Amna’s practice spans across a wide range of matters including but not limited to: enforcement and litigation defense, investigations, antitrust/competition, joint ventures and alliances, airports/slots, route proceedings, rulemakings, international law, consumer protection, economic/licensing matters as well as regulatory due diligence on mergers and acquisitions involving aviation interests. Amna also has experience advising companies that are investing in and creating new aviation technologies, including UAS and eVTOLs, on emerging regulatory issues and trends. Amna counsels clients on matters before all federal agencies that regulate the aviation sector including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), FAA, NTSB, DOJ, and DHS (CBP/TSA).

Amna’s passion to advance diversity is a hallmark of her leadership. She is a member of the governing committee and chair of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee for the ABA Air & Space Law Forum; the 2023-2024 president of the International Aviation Club of Washington; a member of the International Aviation Womens Association; a member of the Legal Advisory Committee of the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights; and a member of The Columbian Women of The George Washington University.

Amna is a thought leader and frequent author and speaker on a myriad of transportation and aviation legal topics. She has been recognized as “Aviation Lawyer of the Year,” Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40,” Law360’s “Transportation Rising Star,” and Chambers-ranked.

Career & Education

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    • U.S. Department of Transportation
      Senior Trial Attorney, Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, Office of General Counsel, 2010–2016
    • U.S. Department of Transportation
      Senior Trial Attorney, Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, Office of General Counsel, 2010–2016

    • Flight Safety Foundation, General Counsel and Board Secretary, September 2024–Present
    • Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation, Hague Netherlands, Advisory Board Member, June 2022–Present
    • Flight Safety Foundation, General Counsel and Board Secretary, September 2024–Present
    • Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation, Hague Netherlands, Advisory Board Member, June 2022–Present

    • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude , 2007
    • The George Washington University, The Elliott School of International Affairs, B.A., International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies, magna cum laude , 2004
    • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude , 2007
    • The George Washington University, The Elliott School of International Affairs, B.A., International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies, magna cum laude , 2004

    • District of Columbia, 2009
    • Virginia, 2007
    • District of Columbia, 2009
    • Virginia, 2007

    • Fairfax County Circuit Court, 2008
    • Fairfax County Circuit Court, 2007
    • Fairfax County Circuit Court, 2008
    • Fairfax County Circuit Court, 2007

    • President, International Aviation Club, 2024–Present
    • Diversity Committee Chair, Governing Committee, ABA Air & Space Law Forum, 2023–Present
    • Law360 Transportation Editorial Advisory Board Member, 2016–Present
    • Vice President, International Aviation Club, 2018–2023
    • Legal Advisory Board Member, Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, 2016–Present
    • Board Member, GWU Columbian Women Scholarship Program, 2019–Present
    • Member, International Aviation Womens Association, 2016–Present
    • Air & Space Law Committee Co–Chair, ABA Young Lawyers Division, 2016–2017
    • President, International Aviation Club, 2024–Present
    • Diversity Committee Chair, Governing Committee, ABA Air & Space Law Forum, 2023–Present
    • Law360 Transportation Editorial Advisory Board Member, 2016–Present
    • Vice President, International Aviation Club, 2018–2023
    • Legal Advisory Board Member, Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, 2016–Present
    • Board Member, GWU Columbian Women Scholarship Program, 2019–Present
    • Member, International Aviation Womens Association, 2016–Present
    • Air & Space Law Committee Co–Chair, ABA Young Lawyers Division, 2016–2017

    • English
    • Urdu
    • Punjabi
    • Arabic
    • Spanish
    • English
    • Urdu
    • Punjabi
    • Arabic
    • Spanish
She has incredible relationships, is very well respected and brings strong insights.

— Chambers USA, 2023

Amna's Insights

Event | 02.18.25 - 02.20.25

IATA World Legal Symposium 2025

The IATA World Legal Symposium is the world's premier annual aviation law event, with a reputation for insight, relevance and value among in-house counsel, private practitioners and government lawyers alike. The event is well known for its engaging subject matter, outstanding speakers, lively debate and, of course, some of the best networking opportunities you'll find anywhere in the industry.

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Representative Matters

  • Advising U.S. passenger and cargo airlines on the full range of aviation and transportation regulatory issues, including FAA and DOT certification, economic fitness, routes, international alliances and cooperative agreements, antitrust and competition, mergers, consumer issues, and disability compliance as well as FAA, NTSB, and CBP matters.
  • Successfully represented a client in a whistleblower FAA safety complaint, leading to a comprehensive internal investigation and the implementation of enhanced compliance measures.
  • Successfully represented airline client in high-profile defense of congressional and DOT investigations, ultimately resulting in a finding of “no violation.”
  • Successfully represented a shipper in responding to FAA letter of investigation involving violations of hazmat regulations.  
  • Advised a U.S. airline on compliance with government regulations related to a proposed commercial multi-modal transportation program at an airport.
  • Advised OEM and aviation clients in DOT and FAA regulatory actions, as well as in U.S. federal litigation stemming from regulatory violations.
  • Advised numerous private equity clients and financial institutions in conducting due diligence and counseling related to acquisition of aviation-related business (MROs, airport concessions, Part 135 carriers, etc.).
  • Advised a technology company in its acquisition of a developer of autonomous/self-driving technology, which included due diligence review to ensure compliance with U.S. federal and state regulations related to autonomous driving.
  • Advised a major technology company on development of unmanned aircraft systems using drone technology as well as other transportation-related compliance issues.
  • Represented an airline in numerous competitive DOT route allocation proceedings and other regulatory proceedings.
  • Advised aviation clients on compliance with international regulatory standards for foreign operations, including EASA, ICAO, and other foreign domestic civil aviation authorities.
  • Advised multiple aviation clients on relevant laws and regulatory frameworks for experimental or commercial operations and testing in domestic and international jurisdictions, including for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations.

Amna's Insights

Event | 02.18.25 - 02.20.25

IATA World Legal Symposium 2025

The IATA World Legal Symposium is the world's premier annual aviation law event, with a reputation for insight, relevance and value among in-house counsel, private practitioners and government lawyers alike. The event is well known for its engaging subject matter, outstanding speakers, lively debate and, of course, some of the best networking opportunities you'll find anywhere in the industry.

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Recognition

  • Chambers USA Ranking, Band 3 – Nationwide: Aviation Regulatory, 2021–2024
  • National Asian Pacific Bar Association, Prospective Partners Program, 2023
  • Aviation Lawyer of the Year (shortlisted), Women in Business Law, 2023
  • Law360 Transportation Editorial Board Appointment, 2016–2023
  • Euromoney: 2022 Rising Star in Aviation, 2022
  • National Asian Pacific Bar Association, Leadership Achievement Program Fellow, 2022
  • Aviation Regulatory: "Firms to Watch" – Ranking in The Legal 500, 2022
  • Washington Business Journal: “40 Under 40” Award, 2021
  • Law360: Transportation Rising Star Award, 2018

Amna's Insights

Event | 02.18.25 - 02.20.25

IATA World Legal Symposium 2025

The IATA World Legal Symposium is the world's premier annual aviation law event, with a reputation for insight, relevance and value among in-house counsel, private practitioners and government lawyers alike. The event is well known for its engaging subject matter, outstanding speakers, lively debate and, of course, some of the best networking opportunities you'll find anywhere in the industry.

View All Insights

Insights

Event | 02.18.25 - 02.20.25

IATA World Legal Symposium 2025

Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.08.24

Election 2024: Transportation Policy and Politics, Ruling the Road in 2025

Webinar | 09.12.24

Practicing Law in the U.S. Space Industry

Speaking Engagement | 09.12.24

Practicing Law in the U.S. Space Industry
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Practices

Industries

Amna's Insights

Event | 02.18.25 - 02.20.25

IATA World Legal Symposium 2025

The IATA World Legal Symposium is the world's premier annual aviation law event, with a reputation for insight, relevance and value among in-house counsel, private practitioners and government lawyers alike. The event is well known for its engaging subject matter, outstanding speakers, lively debate and, of course, some of the best networking opportunities you'll find anywhere in the industry.

View All Insights