Paul Hemmersbaugh

Paul Hemmersbaugh co-chairs DLA Piper's Transportation Regulatory and Litigation group. His practice focuses on motor vehicle and equipment regulation, litigation, and commercial advice. He advises automobile manufacturers, vehicle equipment manufacturers and suppliers, technology companies and start-ups, motor carriers, air carriers, infrastructure providers, rail carriers and shippers, and others on regulatory issues, risks, reporting, compliance, and enforcement; risk and crisis management strategies and response. He also represents auto manufacturers, autonomous vehicle developers and manufacturers, and rail carriers in commercial and product liability disputes and litigation. Paul advises aviation industry clients in regulatory, litigation, and government funding matters. He has extensive experience representing developers, manufacturers, and suppliers of innovative vehicles, equipment, and technologies, including autonomous and electric vehicles in regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters.

Paul brings a unique combination of experience and perspective to vehicle and transportation-related matters having been closely involved in auto industry litigation and regulation as a federal regulator; lead inhouse counsel; and private firm lawyer representing vehicle and equipment manufacturers, railroads, and motor carriers in litigation and regulatory disputes and appeals. Before joining DLA Piper in 2019, he was Chief Counsel and Policy Director for General Motors, leading the company's legal and policy efforts with respect to autonomous, electric, and connected vehicles and new mobility services. Previously, he served as Chief Counsel to NHTSA, the US automotive safety regulator, where he designed and oversaw the largest recall in US history and led the development of federal autonomous vehicle policy and US fuel economy and emissions standards. 

In addition to 25 years working with transportation industry clients as a regulatory, litigation, and commercial counselor, Paul has an understanding of the US federal government, having served in all three (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) branches. Hemmersbaugh also served as General Counsel to the District of Columbia Bar from 2010 – 2015.