Jim Burnley focuses his practice on government relations and regulatory and legislative affairs, with a concentration in transportation matters. Mr. Burnley served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 1987 to 1989 and is one of the nation's foremost authorities on transportation law and policy. He also served as Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 1983 to 1987 and was General Counsel of the Department in 1983. Prior to his years with the USDOT, Mr. Burnley served as Associate Deputy Attorney General for the Justice Department and as Director of the VISTA Program in the early 1980s. Significant Matters Mr. Burnley represents a wide array of transportation clients. Public policy issues in which he is engaged include the continuing debate over public-private partnerships; climate change, including cap and trade proposals; the licensing of a privately financed multibillion dollar offshore LNG port; and the impact of the extreme volatility in petroleum prices on the airline and trucking industries. With respect to efforts to attract private equity to U.S. transportation infrastructure, he advises clients on how to protect their legitimate interests while seeking transactions that are politically realistic. He also has extensive experience in more traditional publicly financed projects. For example, he co-chaired the coalition that successfully lobbied for the more than two billion dollars required to replace the Wilson Bridge, which is a part of the Washington, D.C. Beltway. As outside legislative counsel to American Airlines, Mr. Burnley played a key role in the crafting and passage of the emergency Airline Transportation Stabilization Act passed in the days after September 11, 2001 to help save the disaster-challenged US airline industry. Among the provisions upon which he focused, the Act limited the liability of American and United Airlines and their agents at their multi-billion dollar insurance limits; and it created a federal fund to compensate the victims and their families. He also worked on the provision providing for back-up federal terrorism insurance, without which most major air carriers would have faced grounding for the second time very soon after the attacks. Congressional Quarterly characterized enactment of this package as being "generally regarded as an unrivaled lobbying coup." He has also represented a variety of clients on airport-related issues, such as nearby commercial projects that must be reviewed by the FAA to assure compatibility with airport operations. He has represented airport operators on federal issues and airport vendors concerned about applicable federal regulations. Mr. Burnley was one of the leaders of a coalition of transportation and manufacturing interests, which won a Congressional override of the Ergonomics Rule issued in the Clinton administration's final days. Activities Mr. Burnley maintains a visible presence in transportation. He served for five years as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority. He was Chairman of the Port Study Panel of the National Chamber of Commerce Foundation. He is also a member of the Business Advisory Committee of the Transportation Center at Northwestern University. Mr. Burnley is active in national Republican circles. For example, he was the Senior Domestic Policy Advisor to Elizabeth Dole's presidential campaign. He was also a Senior Advisor to Bob Dole during the 1996 presidential race, and he served on the transportation transition team for the Bush administration. Most recently, he advised Senator McCain's Presidential campaign on transportation issues. Mr. Burnley maintains active civic and corporate board affiliations, including several tied to his transportation work. He served on the Board of Directors of Infrasoft, Inc., which produces software for the engineering industry, and of MTA Safety Training Systems, a company involved in truck driver training, until the sales of the companies. He is a Trustee and former Chairman of the Jamestown Foundation and also a past Chairman of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. He also served as Chairman of the Roe Institute Advisory Committee of the Heritage Foundation, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Freedom Works. Industries Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure Maritime Government Experience Secretary of Transportation, United States Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary of Transportation, United States Department of Transportation General Counsel, United States Department of Transportation Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Virginia Port Authority Associate Deputy Attorney General, United States Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General News January 26, 2012, Jim Burnley speaks at conferences on railroad regulation and Highway Trust Fund November 2, 2011, Jim Burnley speaks at Ronald Reagan statue dedication October 13, 2011, Jim Burnley quoted in DC Velocity on GOP proposal to expand energy development to fund infrastructure programs July 21, 2011, Jim Burnley quoted in DC Velocity July 7, 2011, Jim Burnley featured in DC Velocity April 11, 2011, Bart Stupak, Former Congressman and Chair of House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, Joins Venable March 7, 2011, Jim Burnley featured in Bloomberg article highlighting key lobbyists January 25, 2011, Jim Burnley quoted on whether a transport reauthorization bill will be passed by Congress in 2011 December 17, 2010, Jim Burnley quoted on TSA reform November 4, 2010, Jim Burnley quoted again on impact of changes in Congress on transportation policy November 3, 2010, Jim Burnley quoted on the impact a GOP House could have on transportation policy November 3, 2010, Jim Burnley quoted on the impact of changes in Congress on climate change legislation November 3, 2010, Jim Burnley quoted on the potential impact of election results with regard to transportation November 2, 2010, Venable's "Election Watch" Team of Capitol Hill, Regulatory and Executive Branch Veterans Comment on Impact of Mid-Term Results July 14, 2010, Washington Times quotes Jim Burnley on new U.S. airspace rules June 8, 2010, Jim Burnley contributes to National Journal transportation blog April 20, 2010, DC Velocity Q&A features Jim Burnley March 24, 2010, Travel Weekly quotes Jim Burnley on airline joint ventures December 15, 2009, Jim Burnley quoted in National Journal freight rail story September 17, 2009, Jim Burnley quoted extensively in National Journal story on "Moving Cooler" report August 2009, Jim Burnley featured in DC Velocity cap and trade article July 7, 2009, Jim Burnley quoted in Dallas Morning News on toll road investment June 29, 2009, Jim Burnley quoted in Dallas Morning News on transportation funding May 8, 2009, Jim Burnley quoted in National Journal story on options for infrastructure funding April 24, 2009, Jim Burnley quoted in USA Today article on need for new airline traffic control system April 21, 2009, Jim Burnley discusses Cap & Trade's impact on transportation on National Journal Blog March 30, 2009, Burnley, Dickman mentioned in profile of Howard Franke Bovers Jr. February 20, 2009, National Journal quotes Jim Burnley in infrastructure funding story February 20, 2009, Jim Burnley provides commentary on transportation issues for National Journal's "Transportation Experts Blog" February 12, 2009, Jim Burnley quoted in Fox Business News story about push for ATC modernization December 30, 2008, Jim Burnley comments on state of Highway Trust Fund in Pittsburgh Tribune November 12, 2008, Jim Burnley quoted in Legal Times article about pending transportation issues November 7, 2008, Venable's "Election Watch Group" featured in Financial Week November 5, 2008, Venable's "Election Watch Group" featured in Washington Business Journal November 4, 2008, Venable's "Election Watch Group" Assesses Presidential Election's Impact on Multiple Industries November 3, 2008, Jim Burnley quoted in Traffic World article about private funding for infrastructure development October 30, 2008, Jim Burnley discusses transportation issues facing the next president in ABA Transportation Committee's quarterly publication October 23, 2008, Jim Burnley is quoted in the Yahoo News article: "Obama, McCain oppose gas tax hike; road needs loom" November 7, 2006, Not Business As Usual: Venable's "Election Watch Group" Assesses Impact Democratic House Will Have On Multiple Industries February 3, 2006, Venable Transportation and Infrastructure Lawyer Margaret Strand Contributes to National Academy of Sciences Report on Ecological Impacts of Paved Roads in U.S. June 17, 2003, Venable's Legislative Group Advances Smartly in Latest Influence Survey December 18, 2002, Jim Burnley and Jeff Kurzweil named "Lobbying Leaders" by Influence April 3, 2002, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Jim Burnley Joins Legislative Group at Venable in Washington Honors AV® Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Publications January 15, 2010, Federal Transit Administration Modifies Project Review
John G. Milliken, James H. Burnley IV, Dana C. Nifosi, Ashley W. Craig
Client Alerts July 2009, Reducing Supply Chain Costs: Eliminating Customs Duties on Imports
James H. Burnley IV, Ashley W. Craig, Lindsay B. Meyer
International Trade Alert June 14, 2007, Cafe Quicksand
James H. Burnley IV June 1, 2006, Examining The Revised Airport DBE Rules
James H. Burnley IV
Airport Magazine Events/Speaking Engagements Past Events January 25, 2012, Dialogue with the U.S. DOT Secretaries, Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
James H. Burnley IV January 23, 2012, Economic Regulation of Rail Freight: Recent Developments in Canada and the U.S., Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
James H. Burnley IV January 17, 2012, Speech on the collapse of the federal Highway Trust Fund and the prospects for passage of a new Surface Transportation bill, SMC3 Jump Start Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
James H. Burnley IV January 8 - 12, 2012, AAAE Annual Aviation Issues Conference, Kohala Coast, Hawaii
James H. Burnley IV November 29, 2011, Panel of Former DOT Secretaries at the Miller Center, University of Virginia
James H. Burnley IV November 1, 2011, Speech at the unveiling of the statue of President Reagan at Reagan National Airport
James H. Burnley IV November 5, 2010, Post-Election Briefing, hosted by Venable LLP
James H. Burnley IV, Robert A. Burton April 1, 2010, Speech to the Conference Board of Canada, Centre for Transportation Infrastructure, Ottawa, ON
James H. Burnley IV January 28, 2009, Rand Corporation panel on transportation issues
James H. Burnley IV January 12, 2009 - January 13, 2009, 2009 AAAE Aviation Issues Conference
James H. Burnley IV December 2, 2008, Fortune 500 Forum
James H. Burnley IV October 22, 2008, The Candidates on the Issues: Transportation
James H. Burnley IV September 18, 2008, ABA's Forum on Air & Space Law 2008 Annual Meeting and Conference
James H. Burnley IV August 16, 2008, Prospects for Business-Post Election
James H. Burnley IV April 10, 2008, Business Advisory Committee for the Northwestern University Transportation Center
James H. Burnley IV October 18, 2007 - October 19, 2007, Bond Buyer's 8th Annual Transportation Finance / P3 Conference
James H. Burnley IV July 31, 2007, Student Association for Voter Empowerment Bipartisan Town Hall Forum
James H. Burnley IV March 16, 2007, 32nd Annual FAA Aviation Forecast Conference
James H. Burnley IV February 1, 2007, The Impact of Traffic Congestion on Freight Mobility and Economic Activity
James H. Burnley IV January 23, 2007, Transportation Research Board
James H. Burnley IV January 7, 2007 - January 11, 2007, 2007 AAAE Aviation Issues Conference
James H. Burnley IV November 17, 2006, 18th Annual ARTBA Public-Private Ventures in Transportation Conference
James H. Burnley IV October 11, 2006 - October 12, 2006, AAEE Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Conference: Understanding How to Comply with the New Rules
James H. Burnley IV |