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Automated vehicles (AVs) have received heightened attention from the automotive industry and regulators this summer when it comes to improving and expanding AV technology in the US. To learn more, please read our Client Alert Summer 2025 Autonomous Vehicle Developments.

Tags: Autonomous Vehicles, AVs, Congress, House of Representatives, NHTSA
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Photo of Rebecca Baden Chaney Rebecca Baden Chaney

Rebecca Baden Chaney is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and is co-chair of the firm’s Transportation Practice. Transportation, micromobility, consumer, and other product manufacturers lean on Rebecca Chaney’s keen understanding of the transportation and consumer product industries and the legal…

Rebecca Baden Chaney is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and is co-chair of the firm’s Transportation Practice. Transportation, micromobility, consumer, and other product manufacturers lean on Rebecca Chaney’s keen understanding of the transportation and consumer product industries and the legal landscape to advance their businesses. Rebecca applies her commercial-focused product risk lens to represent product manufacturers facing litigation, commercial, and regulatory challenges.

Rebecca is an industry-recognized force in litigating complex product-related warranty, defect, indemnity and contractual commercial disputes, and consumer litigation, including in class actions and mass tort proceedings. She counsels her commercial clients on product disputes, risk mitigation, and crisis management matters. Rebecca additionally defends clients against defamation claims. Clients appreciate Rebecca’s close coordination with them, her proactive approach, and her critical and creative thinking about each stage in a litigation or matter.

Rebecca’s approach embraces product liability risk management across the life cycle of product commercialization, from pre- to post-launch to aftermarket. This includes advice on product labeling, as well as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Consumer Product Safety Commission regulatory compliance, recall, and enforcement issues.

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Photo of Rachael Padgett Rachael Padgett

Rachael Padgett’s practice focuses on the intersection of litigation and regulatory counseling, and she has a passion for advising clients on how to navigate product risk and achieve creative solutions.

As a counsel in the Litigation and Transportation Groups, Rachael handles matters involving…

Rachael Padgett’s practice focuses on the intersection of litigation and regulatory counseling, and she has a passion for advising clients on how to navigate product risk and achieve creative solutions.

As a counsel in the Litigation and Transportation Groups, Rachael handles matters involving product liability litigation, supply chain contract disputes, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Department of Transportation regulatory counseling, and Consumer Product Safety Commission reporting and investigations. With a focus on the transportation, micromobility, railroad, and retail product industries, she represents clients facing complex, high-stakes problems using a thoughtful, human approach to minimize client exposure and resolve disputes effectively.

Rachael maintains a pro bono practice with a focus on representing children in immigration cases and as guardian ad litem.

During law school, Rachael served as articles editor for The George Washington Law Review and received numerous awards, including the Jacob Burns Award for the First Place Team in the Van Vleck Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition, the Henry R. Berger Award for Excellence in the Area of Tort Law, and the Jennie Hassler Walburn Award for Excellence in the Area of Civil Procedure. She also worked as a judicial intern for the Honorable Michael O’Keefe in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia’s Family Court and regularly volunteered at the Family Court Self-Help Center.

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Photo of Morgan Phoenix Morgan Phoenix

Morgan Phoenix focuses her practice on product liability, mass torts, and consumer litigation, as well as advising a range of clients on maintaining product compliance with various government agencies. Morgan also advises clients working with government agencies to focus on product safety in…

Morgan Phoenix focuses her practice on product liability, mass torts, and consumer litigation, as well as advising a range of clients on maintaining product compliance with various government agencies. Morgan also advises clients working with government agencies to focus on product safety in a complex regulatory schema. She has experience in bankruptcy, unfair practice, and environmental civil litigation, as well as several class actions.

Morgan is committed to volunteer and pro bono work. She engages in advocating for asylum justice and housing tenant rights in Washington, D.C., demonstrating her dedication to social justice and community service. In 2023, Morgan was recognized with high honors on the 2023 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Morgan earned her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, where she was recognized as a George Washington Scholar and Dean’s Fellow. She was also the recipient of the Class of 1971 Merit Scholarship. In law school, Morgan served as the president of the George Washington Law Mock Trial team and contributed to the International Law in Domestic Courts Journal. Morgan completed her undergraduate studies at Denison University, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts. Her academic journey included a semester abroad at Heidelberg University in Germany.

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