Sue LawlessFMCSA
Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, PC, a national transportation law firm based in Indianapolis, announced Tuesday Sue Lawless, most recently the acting deputy administrator and chief safety officer of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, will join the firm on or about Oct. 1.
Lawless' departure comes at a time when the agency is cutting personnel. As part of President Donald Trump's efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, some 169 FMCSA staffers are being cut. That amounts to a 13.7% reduction of personnel.
The agency is also still waiting for the Senate to approve the nomination of Derek Barrs as its administrator.
Lawless will help lead the Scopelitis firm’s DOT Safety practice in conjunction with partners, Tim Wiseman and Chris Eckhart, who are both based in the firm’s Indianapolis office. Lawless will be based at the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. She will join Prasad Sharma, former American Trucking Associations general counsel, and Kim Mann, a past president of the Transportation Lawyers Association.
“Sue has been a leader on the front lines in shaping policy and influencing the law within the trucking industry for many years,” Greg Feary said in announcing Lawless’s imminent move to the Scopelitis Firm. “Scopelitis is quite fortunate to gain Sue’s superior foresight, skill, and knowledge. She is a perfect addition to our DC office.”
Prior to serving as the FMCSA’s chief safety officer, Lawless served as the director of FMCSA’s Motor Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Standards Division. Lawless also formerly served as FMCSA’s assistant chief counsel for Enforcement and Litigation.
She first joined FMCSA in 2001, but later transitioned to the private sector where she was a partner in a law firm and represented motor carriers, motor carrier drivers, and various transportation businesses. Lawless rejoined FMCSA in 2010.
Lawless received a Bachelor of Arts degree from McDaniel College and a law degree from the University of Baltimore.
