Dean E. Griffith

Drawing on his nearly 10-year career at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Dean Griffith counsels domestic and international clients on matters affecting air carriers, business aviation, and users and developers of emerging technologies. He advises on FAA safety compliance and certification, business aircraft operation, hazardous materials transportation, airspace obstruction evaluations, sales and leases of aircraft, and international aviation regulations. Dean also supports clients with Department of Transportation (DOT) and DOT operating administration matters including regulation of motor carriers and autonomous vehicles. He also represents rail and other clients in National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations.

Dean has deep experience and knowledge of drone law and policy and assists clients with regulatory compliance and operational approvals, drone use policies, and analysis of proposed legislation and regulations. At the FAA, he served as the chief counsel's regulatory policy lead, counseling agency decision makers on drone rulemaking, exemptions, and policy development. He advised on the creation of the "Section 333" exemption process, the Unmanned Aircraft System Pathfinder Program, and on the scope of the agency's jurisdiction to regulate drones.

Dean is a frequent speaker on aviation topics and is co-chair of the American Bar Association's Drone Law Committee.