Sara R. Bennett

Mobility, Regulatory, and Trade Attorney at Varnum LLP

Canton, Ohio, United States

About

Experience

  • Partner at Varnum LLP
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    I leverage my regulatory experience to advise clients and develop comprehensive legal and policy strategies. My background in regulatory strategy and compliance provides meaningful insight into how federal safety policy continues to evolve. I also guide clients through international trade and investment issues, such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and trade policy. I especially enjoy developing creative solutions to challenging problems. Licensed in Michigan, New York, and Ohio.

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA (7 yrs 8 mos)
    • Senior Attorney Advisor
      Nov 2022 - Sep 2025 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      I worked in the Vehicle Safety Standards & Harmonization Division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Office of Chief Counsel. My primary role was to draft and coordinate the review and issuance of rules, regulations, standards, interpretations, and guidance. Most of my projects involved advanced vehicle technologies, such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Automated Driving Systems. My portfolio at NHTSA also included issues relating to international policy and technical regulation development at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, NHTSA's Five-Star Safety Ratings Program, vehicle cybersecurity and incident response, vehicle data storage systems, privacy, and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States review.

    • Attorney Advisor
      Feb 2018 - Nov 2022 · 4 yrs 10 mos

  • Acting Division Chief - Trade and Investment at U.S. Department of Transportation
    Feb 2024 - Aug 2024 · 7 mos

    I worked in the Office of International Transportation and Trade where I led a team of transportation and trade and economic specialists in the execution of the Office's trade policy and negotiation responsibilities and review of foreign direct investment in the U.S. transportation sector. I provided expert advice to the Under Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, the Deputy Assistant Secretary and the Office Director, as well as other government agencies and nongovernmental interests on international transportation trade and foreign direct investment issues, among other duties.

  • Attorney Advisor at Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
    Oct 2016 - Feb 2018 · 1 yr 5 mos

    I worked in the Office of General Counsel of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB). My primary role involved advising clients on privacy and information security issues. I also worked on U.S. trademark clearance, prosecution, enforcement, and portfolio management issues for the FRTIB.

  • Attorney Advisor at National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA
    Jul 2015 - Oct 2016 · 1 yr 4 mos

    I worked in the Vehicle Safety Standards & Harmonization Division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Office of Chief Counsel. My primary role was to draft and coordinate the review and issuance of rules, regulations, standards, interpretations, and guidance. Many of my projects involved the data privacy and security challenges associated with emerging vehicle technologies. I also provided intellectual property law and other legal services to the program offices and technical personnel, as well as responded to requests from outside parties.