Nissan North America | Franklin, TN
October 28 - 29, 2025
Auto Innovators Legal Forum 2025
Auto Innovators Legal Forum 2025
Nissan North America Headquarters
1 Nissan Wy, Franklin, TN
This two-day conference brings together legal leaders from top automotive OEMs, regulatory experts, outside counsel, and technology partners to explore the intersection between law, policy and the business of building & selling motor vehicles to customers. Through a mix of panel discussions and networking opportunities, participants will gain actionable insights into the automaker-customer relationship and the legal and policy matters that influence: (a) the types of vehicles OEM produce; (b) how those vehicles are distributed and sold to car buyers; and (c) the post-sale relationship between automaker and customer.
REGISTRATION FEES
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Alliance for Automotive Innovation Member: $99
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Non Member:
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Early Bird Registration: $350 (through September 1st)
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Non Member Regular Registration: $450 (September 2 - October 29)
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LODGING
The Harpeth Franklin Downtown
130 2nd Ave N, Franklin, TN
If you have questions regarding the room block, please reach out to Ryan McGuire
REGISTRATION
The event is only open to vehicle and equipment manufacturers, including law firms and consultants that provide services for them. Refunds will be provided to those who do not fall under that category.
AGENDA
Day 1: October 28, 2025
12:15 – 1:15 pm: Registration
1:15 – 1:30 pm: Welcome Remarks
1:30 – 1:45 pm: Keynote: Steve McKelvey, Partner, Nelson Mullins
1:45 – 2:15 pm: Franchise Legislation: Looking back on the 2025 legislative session and the challenges ahead in 2026.
- David Bright, Senior Attorney, Alliance for Automotive Innovation
- Wayne Weikel, Vice President, State Affairs, Alliance for Automotive Innovation
2:15 – 3:15 pm: Developments in Warranty: The panel will discuss laws governing payments for warranty labor and the shifting landscape on defenses against unreasonable parts & labor rates.
- Owen Smith, Partner, Barack Ferrazzano
- Katherine Moskop, Counsel, Seyfarth
- Ronnie McMahan, Partner, Nelson Mullins
- Lauren Deeb, Partner, Hogan Lovells
3:15 – 3:30 pm: Break
3:30 – 4:30 pm: How Federal and State Emissions Regulations Impact Manufacturer Product Development and Sales Mix: The panel will discuss the latest developments in federal and state emission regulations and the extent to which they are aligned (or unaligned) with market realities and allow automakers to build and sell vehicles customers want to purchase.
- Stuart Drake, Partner, Kirkland
- Rachel Levick, Partner, Gibson
4:30 – 5:30 pm: State Level Voluntary Compliance Efforts and Related Antitrust Concerns: In the absence of federal regulation or state authority to regulate, states have sought to develop voluntary, quasi-regulatory regimes in cooperation with the industry, such as the “Clean Truck Partnership” between California and the heavy-duty industry. The panel will discuss the status of these efforts and the antitrust pitfalls they present.
- Ryan Sandrock, Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
- Gordon Lang, Partner, Nixon Peabody
6:00 pm: Networking Reception at The Harpeth Franklin Downtown
- 130 2nd Ave N., Franklin, TN
Day 2: October 29, 2025
8:00 – 8:55 am: Networking Breakfast
8:55 – 9:00 am: Day 2 Kick Off Remarks
9:00 – 9:30 am: A Time of Transition: Federal Regulation and Enforcement in Trump II - What will Trump II mean for federal regulatory compliance and enforcement? We will discuss leadership and organizational changes, shifting resource allocations, policy developments, and enforcement priorities
- Arun Rao, Partner, Mayer Brown
- Amanda Liskamm, former Director of the Consumer Protection Branch, Department of Justice
9:30 – 10:00 am: Navigating Risks Posed by “Greenwashing” Claims Against Industry: As automakers develop and tout ambitious sustainability goals, they should account for the growing trend of “greenwashing” litigation claiming that those goals are deceptive and misleading. This presentation will discuss these risks and how companies can avoid or minimize them.
- Michael Murphy, Partner, Gibson
10:00 – 10:15 am: Break
10:15 – 11:15 am: Trends, Observations, and Technology: The panelists will share their observations and experiences from franchise controversies and discuss how franchise laws impact or impede technological innovation in the automotive industry.
- Jack Snyder, Partner, Barack Ferrazzano
- James McGrath, Partner, Seyfarth
- Rich Otera, Partner, Nelson Mullins
- Colm Moran, Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
11:15 – 12:15 pm: Counterfeit Auto Parts in Focus: Potential IP, Safety and Trade Impacts: The panelists will discuss concerns with counterfeit parts from an intellectual property standpoint as well as a potential safety issues and how those play out with NHTSA. The panel will also touch on the Trump administration’s activities surrounding restrictions on parts from China.
- Adam Raviv, Counsel, Sidley
12:15 – 12:30 pm: Closing Remarks
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Grab & Go Lunch
PROGRAM & SPEAKERS
Session 1: Franchise Legislation:
Looking back on the 2025 legislative session and the challenges ahead in 2026.
Session 2: Developments in Warranty
The panel will discuss laws governing payments for warranty labor and the shifting landscape on defenses against unreasonable parts & labor rates.
Session 3: How Federal and State Emissions Regulations Impact Manufacturer Product Development and Sales Mix
The panel will discuss the latest developments in federal and state emission regulations and the extent to which they are aligned (or unaligned) with market realities and allow automakers to build and sell vehicles customers want to purchase.
Session 4: State Level Voluntary Compliance Efforts and Related Antitrust Concerns
In the absence of federal regulation or state authority to regulate, states have sought to develop voluntary, quasi-regulatory regimes in cooperation with the industry, such as the “Clean Truck Partnership” between California and the heavy-duty industry. The panel will discuss the status of these efforts and the antitrust pitfalls they present.
Session 5: A Time of Transition: Federal Regulation and Enforcement in Trump II - What will Trump II mean for federal regulatory compliance and enforcement?
We will discuss leadership and organizational changes, shifting resource allocations, policy developments, and enforcement priorities
Session 6: Navigating Risks Posed by “Greenwashing” Claims Against Industry
As automakers develop and tout ambitious sustainability goals, they should account for the growing trend of “greenwashing” litigation claiming that those goals are deceptive and misleading. This presentation will discuss these risks and how companies can avoid or minimize them.
Session 7: Trends, Observations, and Technology
The panelists will share their observations and experiences from franchise controversies and discuss how franchise laws impact or impede technological innovation in the automotive industry.
Session 8: Counterfeit Auto Parts in Focus: Potential IP, Safety and Trade Impacts
The panelists will discuss concerns with counterfeit parts from an intellectual property standpoint as well as a potential safety issues and how those play out with NHTSA. The panel will also touch on the Trump administration’s activities surrounding restrictions on parts from China.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
