Thompson Hine LLP, a national law firm recognized for its innovation focus, announced today that Christie L. Iannetta has joined the firm as a partner in its Transportation practice group in the Washington, D.C. office. Iannetta brings nearly two decades of experience in the automotive and transportation sector, focusing on regulatory and compliance issues facing companies subject to oversight by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Iannetta has counseled major vehicle manufacturers and technology companies on motor vehicle safety matters, including navigating the regulatory framework for autonomous technology and advanced driving systems to bring new technology to market. She provides advice in the areas of automotive safety recalls, compliance with federal safety standards, internal investigations and audits, and government investigations and enforcement proceedings. Clients—including leading OEMs, transportation start-ups, specialty vehicle manufacturers, autonomous technology developers, and equipment manufacturers—rely on Iannetta for practical solutions to regulatory issues and look to her as an effective and creative problem solver.
"Christie’s extensive experience at NHTSA and in private practice in automotive regulatory matters will bolster our existing automotive and transportation practice," said Karyn A. Booth, partner and Transportation practice group leader. "Christie’s joining us brings significant synergies across our platform given her strong relationships in the automotive sector."
Iannetta's arrival pairs a seasoned automotive regulatory lawyer with Will Godfrey, Director of Mobility, Automation and Safety at Thompson Hine—a combination of legal and engineering expertise that is rare at a law firm and one that mirrors the way NHTSA itself has traditionally staffed its investigations. A former senior regulatory official at NHTSA and a former General Motors vehicle engineer, Godfrey brings technical and engineering expertise that complements Iannetta's legal and regulatory experience, enabling the team to offer clients comprehensive, integrated solutions across the automotive and transportation sectors.
Thompson Hine is rated at the top of its profession in the United States for the representation of shippers in rail and motor carrier matters by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, based on interviews with clients and peers. The firm's highly regarded automotive practice serves a broad spectrum of U.S. and international automobile OEMs, suppliers, ridesharing enterprises, startups and technology companies in a wide variety of regulatory, litigation and general business matters, including safety and environmental, NHTSA regulatory and compliance, government investigations and product liability cases involving catastrophic personal injuries.
At NHTSA, Iannetta advised the agency on matters of legal authority and risk in a number of highly complex safety investigations, including serving as lead attorney in the Takata airbag recall—one of the largest and most complex consumer recalls in U.S. history. She provided comprehensive legal support in the agency's oversight and investigation of vehicle and equipment manufacturers concerning safety-related defects, noncompliance with federal safety standards, and other violations of the Vehicle Safety Act and related regulations.
After leaving NHTSA, Iannetta returned to private practice, most recently as a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, where she advised the automotive industry on an array of complex legal and regulatory issues covering motor vehicle safety, compliance, and consumer safety subject to NHTSA oversight.
"Thompson Hine's premier transportation practice is where I can do my best work for clients," said Iannetta. "NHTSA regulatory matters rarely exist in isolation. NHTSA issues often trigger related concerns such as environmental, trade, corporate or products liability issues. At Thompson Hine, I can draw on all of those teams and more to handle overlapping issues under one roof, rather than asking clients to manage multiple outside firms. That integrated approach is what automotive and transportation clients want and need."
Iannetta has been recognized by Legal 500 United States as a Next Generation Lawyer in Transport: rail and road – litigation (2019, 2021–2025). She is also a frequent speaker on automotive regulatory topics, including presentations on the regulatory framework impacting automated driving systems and ADAS technology, motor vehicle product liability, and emerging regulatory developments and trends.