Amna Arshad
Overview
A former federal regulator at the US Department of Transportation for six years, Amna has deep knowledge and expertise in aviation regulations, 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 on the full range of aviation and transportation regulatory issues for all types of global transportation clients – from major US and non-US 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 regulatory challenges. Amna is a client-focused, trusted leader who works with her clients to craft business-focused legal strategies, manage risk, and resolve complex issues with practical solutions.
Career & Education
- 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
- 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
- District of Columbia, 2009
- Virginia, 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
- English
- Urdu
- Punjabi
- Arabic
- Spanish
She has incredible relationships, is very well respected and brings strong insights.
— Chambers USA, 2023
Amna's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.08.24
Election 2024: Transportation Policy and Politics, Ruling the Road in 2025
The opportunity to create and shape major policies impacting the transportation sector will be teed up in 2025. Some changes will be led or initiated by the change in Administration, some will come from expected retirements or potential changes in majorities, and other changes will be put in the forefront of congressional leaders because of expiring laws. In this client alert, part of our Election 2024 series, we identify some of the expected changes, opportunities, and challenges ahead for transportation policy.
Webinar | 09.12.24
Speaking Engagement | 09.12.24
Practicing Law in the U.S. Space Industry
Client Alert | 35 min read | 07.11.24
Representative Matters
- Advise US 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, disability compliance as well as FAA, NTSB, CBP matters.
- Advised a US 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 US federal litigation stemming from regulatory violations.
- Advised financial institution in regulatory due diligence involving a transaction to acquire airport concessions/leases.
- Advised a technology company in its acquisition of a developer of autonomous/self-driving technology which included due diligence review to ensure compliance with US 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 aviation client on its successful acquisition of airport slots at a highly restricted airport following a hotly contested US DOT route allocation proceeding and other regulatory proceedings, including service to Cuba.
- 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
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.08.24
Election 2024: Transportation Policy and Politics, Ruling the Road in 2025
The opportunity to create and shape major policies impacting the transportation sector will be teed up in 2025. Some changes will be led or initiated by the change in Administration, some will come from expected retirements or potential changes in majorities, and other changes will be put in the forefront of congressional leaders because of expiring laws. In this client alert, part of our Election 2024 series, we identify some of the expected changes, opportunities, and challenges ahead for transportation policy.
Webinar | 09.12.24
Speaking Engagement | 09.12.24
Practicing Law in the U.S. Space Industry
Client Alert | 35 min read | 07.11.24
Recognition
- National Asian Pacific Bar Association, Prospective Partners Program, 2023
- Aviation Lawyer of the Year (shortlisted), Women in Business Law, 2023
- Chambers USA Ranking, Band 3 – Nationwide: Aviation Regulatory, 2021–2024
- Law360 Transportation Editorial Board Appointment, 2016–2023
- Euromoney’s 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
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.08.24
Election 2024: Transportation Policy and Politics, Ruling the Road in 2025
The opportunity to create and shape major policies impacting the transportation sector will be teed up in 2025. Some changes will be led or initiated by the change in Administration, some will come from expected retirements or potential changes in majorities, and other changes will be put in the forefront of congressional leaders because of expiring laws. In this client alert, part of our Election 2024 series, we identify some of the expected changes, opportunities, and challenges ahead for transportation policy.
Webinar | 09.12.24
Speaking Engagement | 09.12.24
Practicing Law in the U.S. Space Industry
Client Alert | 35 min read | 07.11.24
Insights
Speaking Engagement | 09.12.24
Readying for Takeoff for International eVTOL Operations: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
|Fall 2022
American Bar Association Air & Space Lawyer
Turbulence Remains, Clearer Skies Ahead: Challenges & Opportunities in Aviation Sector
|12.07.20
How COVID-19 may change long-term aviation outlook
|08.07.20
Balancing Travelers’ Rights to Refunds and Airlines’ Rights to Survival in the Age of Covid-19
|05.11.20
Law360
Drones in the Sky: An Analysis of FAA’s Milestone Rules for Commercial Operations
|June 2016
UAS Blog
Blurred Lines, Security and Civil Rights at 40,000 feet, Vol. 29 No. 4
|2016
American Bar Association Air & Space Lawyer
DOT Consumer Protection: Regulation and Enforcement, U.S. Aviation Regulation
|July 2014
American Bar Association
Practicing Law in the U.S. Space Industry
|09.12.24
Panelist, The New Regulatory Flight Path for Consumer Protection, ABA Air & Space Law Forum
|September 2023
Panelist, “Future of eVTOL Operations,” International Aviation Womens Association Conference
|November 2022
Chair and Speaker, ABA Air & Space Law Annual Meeting
|September 2022
Panelist, “Covid-19s impact on Aviation Consumer Protection,” Malaysian Aviation Commission
|June 2022
Panelist, “Consumer Protection, Competition and Alliances,” ABA Annual Meeting
|2021
Speaker, Interview of Joanna Geraghty, President, JetBlue Airways, International Aviation Club event
|2020
Panelist, “UAS/Drones’ Impact on Transportation”, ABA Air & Space Law DC Conference
|February 2018
Panelist, “Flyers’ Rights,” ABA Annual Meeting
|2018
Panelist, “DOT Recent Consumer Initiatives”, ABA Air & Space Law Washington Conference
|2017
Industries
Amna's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.08.24
Election 2024: Transportation Policy and Politics, Ruling the Road in 2025
The opportunity to create and shape major policies impacting the transportation sector will be teed up in 2025. Some changes will be led or initiated by the change in Administration, some will come from expected retirements or potential changes in majorities, and other changes will be put in the forefront of congressional leaders because of expiring laws. In this client alert, part of our Election 2024 series, we identify some of the expected changes, opportunities, and challenges ahead for transportation policy.
Webinar | 09.12.24
Speaking Engagement | 09.12.24
Practicing Law in the U.S. Space Industry
Client Alert | 35 min read | 07.11.24
