Christopher Grigorian

Experience

Christopher H. Grigorian has extensive experience representing motor vehicle manufacturers and major parts suppliers in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) matters. He is a partner and chair of the firm’s NHTSA & Motor Vehicle Safety Practice, as well as co-chair of the Trade Association Practice.

Chris regularly represents clients in matters involving safety recalls, defect investigations and related enforcement proceedings, compliance with Federal motor vehicle safety standards, regulation of autonomous and electric vehicles, safety review processes and procedures, rulemaking proceedings, FOIA and confidentiality matters, and other compliance issues under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, TREAD Act, and NHTSA’s implementing regulations and agency guidelines.

He represents a wide range of clients, including manufacturers of cars, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles, as well as original equipment and aftermarket suppliers of lighting, airbags and passenger restraint systems, engines, EV batteries, active safety systems, transmissions, tires, child restraints, electronics, driveline components, brake components, filtration products, hoses, emissions and exhaust components, and ride control products, among others.

Chris advises industry associations on motor vehicle safety issues, including representation in rulemaking proceedings and advising association members on compliance issues. In addition, he advises clients on Federal and California emissions certification and compliance. Chris also counsels clients on related commercial and supply chain issues. He also advises trade association clients on the wide-ranging legal issues these entities face. He serves as general counsel to two trade associations, for which he oversees antitrust, governance, commercial, and employment-related matters.

Chris began his legal career with the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he spent five years as a trial attorney and senior trial attorney litigating tax cases in federal courts throughout the United States. He received the Tax Division’s Outstanding Attorney Award in 1994.