On May 13, 2025, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a confirmation hearing for David Fink, nominee for Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Led by Senator Ted Cruz, the hearing spanned two hours and focused on Fink’s industry background, safety record, and priorities for the FRA.Continue Reading Senate Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for FRA Administrator Nominee David Fink

Mimi Dennis
Mimi S. Dennis represents leading national and global companies in commercial, civil, and product liability litigation and product regulatory counseling matters. Her clients include Class I and short line railroads, manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers.
With a focus on the rail, pharmaceutical, energy, and construction industries, Mimi defends clients in multidistrict proceedings, arbitrations, and other complex litigation. She also has first chair bench and jury trial experience. Mimi understands the nuances of the industries in which her clients operate, and she strives to help them balance litigation risks with business goals. Clients appreciate her hands-on approach and her sincere interest in developing strong personal relationships and a deep understanding of their businesses. Staying current on litigation issues, Mimi has published several articles on environmental and civil litigation matters, ranging from a discussion of class action certification to defenses in pharmaceutical failure-to-warn cases.
On the counseling side of her practice, Mimi helps clients limit risk and avoid liability and compliance issues. Representing clients in the food, beverage, chemical, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries, she handles regulatory matters before federal and state agencies, including FDA, EPA, and IRBs. Acting as an advisor to her clients, she carefully assesses risks, recommends actions, and counsels clients on contract formation, negotiation, and interpretation.
Mimi is a member of the firm’s Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation, Product Risk Management, and Transportation groups. In 2024, she was selected as a member of the Law360 Transportation Editorial Board and accepted as a member of the General Counsel Committee of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA). Mimi maintains an active pro bono practice focused on providing legal services to immigrant women and girls who are survivors of gender-based violence, and has also served as a guardian ad litem in D.C. Superior Court.

Crowell Takes the Stage at 2025 Transportation Lawyers Association Annual Conference
Crowell’s Mimi Dennis addressed the Transportation Lawyers Association’s (TLA) Annual Conference on May 2, 2025. The TLA is an 80-year-old independent bar association of in-house, government, and private practice attorneys who assist providers and commercial users of domestic and international logistics and transportation services. Mimi covered recent freight rail news and events during the “Multi-Modal…
Upcoming FRA Nomination Hearing

On May 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, will hold a nominations hearing that will address key nominations for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak’s Board of Directors, and the Department of Commerce. Among the nominees is David Fink, who has…
Rail Derailment Trial Update: Jury Finds GATX Not Liable
On Wednesday, April 23, an Ohio jury decided that GATX is off the hook for helping Norfolk Southern (NS) pay for the $600 million settlement with residents of East Palestine.
This case stemmed from a $600 million settlement tied to the NS derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. While OxyVinyls already settled, the jury was left…
Rail Derailment Trial Update: GATX and OxyVinyls Say “Case Closed”
Norfolk Southern (NS) rested its case on April 11. Both GATX and OxyVinyls have now moved for judgment as a matter of law.Continue Reading Rail Derailment Trial Update: GATX and OxyVinyls Say “Case Closed”
Rail Derailment Trial Kicks Off: Who Pays For East Palestine?
A high-stakes jury trial is underway in Ohio federal court to determine whether GATX and OxyVinyls should reimburse Norfolk Southern (NS) for some or all of a $600 million class-action settlement tied to the 2023 East Palestine derailment.
The Backstory
- In April 2024, NS agreed to the class payout after months of litigation over the derailment that led to chemical fires and allegations of widespread community harm. NS brought OxyVinyls and GATX into that mass litigation before it settled with the plaintiff class. Now, NS wants GATX (owner of the tank car with the failed wheel bearing) and OxyVinyls (shipper of the chemicals) to foot the bill.
Continue Reading Rail Derailment Trial Kicks Off: Who Pays For East Palestine?
NHTSA Administrator Nominee
On February 11, 2025, President Trump nominated Jonathan Morrison to be Administrator of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Notably, this will not be Morrison’s first stint at NHTSA as he served as Chief Counsel at NHTSA during the first Trump Administration.
Morrison has a long history of automotive-focused work. Before his first tenure at NHTSA, he was President of Auto Advisory Services, Inc. and head of legal and regulatory affairs for the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA). Auto Advisory Services, Inc. is described on Morrison’s LinkedIn as an association providing assistance to a network of “over 500 California dealerships, including many of the largest dealer groups in the country.” His LinkedIn further indicates he “held primary responsibility over CNCDA’s legal compliance operations, developing guidance for dealers in response to new or amended statutes, regulations, court opinions, or law enforcement activity” while also working to create “legislative and regulatory policy proposals to benefit the new car industry, and defeating or narrowing proposals that would be harmful to the industry.”Continue Reading NHTSA Administrator Nominee