Automotive Industry Attorney Christie Iannetta Joins Nelson Mullins in Washington, D.C.

Sept. 14, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Experienced automotive regulatory and compliance attorney Christie Iannetta has joined Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in its Washington, D.C. office as a partner. She joins from King & Spalding, LLP where she was counsel.
Iannetta focuses on regulatory and compliance issues facing the automotive industry. She has deep experience in motor vehicle safety matters, including autonomous technology and advanced driving systems. As a former senior trial attorney with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Iannetta helps clients find practical and creative solutions to regulatory issues that create minimal business disruption and keep the company in good stead with its regulator.
“Christie is an important addition to our existing team of more than 50 lawyers who work exclusively in the transportation space,” said Steve McKelvey, who leads the firm’s Automotive Industry Practice Group. “She is well-known and well-respected in the transportation industry, and she already serves many of our existing clients. Her work with those clients will continue, along with her work for many others in the industry who will continue to work with her at Nelson Mullins. We are fortunate and honored to have her join us.”
Iannetta works closely with traditional vehicle manufacturers and equipment suppliers as well as technology developers and new market entrants. She provides advice in the areas of automotive safety recalls and compliance with federal safety standards, internal investigations and audits, and government enforcement proceedings.
While with NHTSA, she advised the agency on matters of legal authority and risk in a number of highly complex safety investigations, serving as lead attorney in one of the largest and most complex consumer recalls in U.S. history. Iannetta provided a full range of 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 regulations.
“I have known Christie for a number of years and am thrilled to have her join our team,” said partner Jody Porter, who joined the firm in 2020 after nearly 30 years with Toyota Motor North America. “Her experience in working with government agencies and being on the cusp of developing technologies will add another dimension to our already deep automotive industry representation.”
Iannetta said Nelson Mullins is a good fit for her regulatory and compliance practice. “Nelson Mullins has a robust and well-respected automotive practice that crosses multiple disciplinary areas,” she said. “I look forward to adding to their existing regulatory offerings and providing our clients a full array of legal services.”