Washington, D.C. regulatory veteran brings deep insight into autonomous vehicle and emerging transportation technologies
Varnum LLP is pleased to announce that Sara Bennett has joined the firm as a partner in the Privacy and Mobility Practice Team. Bennett brings a decade of federal regulatory experience, most recently serving in the Vehicle Safety Standards & Harmonization Division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Chief Counsel.
In this role, Bennett led multidisciplinary teams in drafting and coordinating the review and issuance of federal regulations, safety standards, and guidance, with a focus on advanced vehicle technologies such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Automated Driving Systems (ADS), and vehicle cybersecurity. Her portfolio also included legal leadership related to international policy and technical regulation development at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, NHTSA’s Five-Star Safety Ratings Program, vehicle data storage systems, privacy, and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review.
“Sara’s experience at NHTSA positions her among the most knowledgeable attorneys in the country when it comes to federal automotive regulation and the future of mobility,” said Varnum Chair Jon Bylsma. “Her addition reinforces our long-term commitment to helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments with clarity and confidence.”
Throughout her tenure in federal service, Bennett advised all levels of leadership within the Department of Transportation, provided technical assistance to Congress and state officials, coordinated inter-agency initiatives, and represented the U.S. government as a delegate to the United Nations. Her regulatory insight into how policymakers create and implement standards for emerging technologies is expected to bring immediate value to Varnum clients working in the mobility and transportation innovation sectors.
“Sara brings a unique regulatory perspective that is incredibly valuable to our clients, especially those innovating in autonomous vehicle technologies and advanced mobility platforms,” said Jeff Stefan, leader of the firm’s Privacy and Mobility Practice Team. “Her experience, industry knowledge and deep technical expertise will translate into valuable strategic counsel for our clients.”
Bennett said her decision to join Varnum was driven by the firm’s deep experience in mobility and autonomous systems.
“Varnum is at the forefront of advising companies operating in one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving spaces in the legal landscape,” Bennett said. “I’m energized by the opportunity to work alongside a team that’s not only sophisticated in its legal approach but also truly understands the transformative nature of these emerging technologies.”
Bennett is a graduate of American University Washington College of Law and Kent State University. While in law school, Bennett served as an intern at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a law clerk at the Electronic Privacy Information Center and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and a Trust and Safety legal intern at ZwillGen PLLC. Her accolades include the NHTSA Administrator’s Superior Accomplishment Award and the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary’s Partnering for Excellence Award.
