On August 7, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) took a major step toward expanding the deployment of drones in U.S. airspace by jointly releasing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would establish comprehensive, performance-based regulations for UAS operations beyond visual line of sight. To learn more, please read our Client Alert Landmark Proposed Rule May Open American Skies to Expanded Commercial Drone Deployments.

Photo of Amna Arshad Amna Arshad

Amna Arshad, a former senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Transportation, has deep knowledge and experience in aviation issues, having drafted regulations, and led investigations, audits, and enforcement actions. Her government insights and relationships combined with her several years of…

Amna Arshad, a former senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Transportation, has deep knowledge and experience in aviation issues, having drafted regulations, and led investigations, audits, and enforcement actions. Her government insights and relationships combined with her several years of experience at top US Am Law 100 firms advising all types of global transportation clients—from major U.S. and non-U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, to transportation start-ups, as well as Fortune 200 companies—provide her a unique ability to counsel her clients through their most pressing challenges, including internal or government investigations, litigation/enforcement defense, and compliance counseling. Amna is a trusted leader who works with her clients to craft business-focused legal strategies, manage risk, and resolve complex issues with practical solutions.

Amna’s practice spans across a wide range of matters including but not limited to: enforcement and litigation defense, investigations, antitrust/competition, joint ventures and alliances, airports/slots, route proceedings, rulemakings, international law, consumer protection, economic/licensing matters as well as regulatory due diligence on mergers and acquisitions involving aviation interests. Amna also has experience advising companies that are investing in and creating new aviation technologies, including UAS and eVTOLs, on emerging regulatory issues and trends. Amna counsels clients on matters before all federal agencies that regulate the aviation sector including the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), FAA, NTSB, DOJ, and DHS (CBP/TSA).

Amna’s passion to advance diversity is a hallmark of her leadership. She is a member of the governing committee and chair of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee for the ABA Air & Space Law Forum; the 2023-2024 president of the International Aviation Club of Washington; a member of the International Aviation Womens Association; a member of the Legal Advisory Committee of the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights; and a member of The Columbian Women of The George Washington University.

Amna is a thought leader and frequent author and speaker on a myriad of transportation and aviation legal topics. She has been recognized as “Aviation Lawyer of the Year,” Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40,” Law360’s “Transportation Rising Star,” and Chambers-ranked.

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Photo of Mary-Caitlin Ray Mary-Caitlin Ray

A former attorney for the Federal Aviation Administration, Mary-Caitlin represents aircraft owners, operators, and manufacturers as well as investors into aviation related businesses, advising on regulatory and transactional matters. Her clients come to her for practical and strategic advice on navigating complex aviation…

A former attorney for the Federal Aviation Administration, Mary-Caitlin represents aircraft owners, operators, and manufacturers as well as investors into aviation related businesses, advising on regulatory and transactional matters. Her clients come to her for practical and strategic advice on navigating complex aviation challenges. She has significant experience advising clients on the impacts of and solutions for emerging technologies in the aviation sector, including uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Mary-Caitlin’s practice spans the crewed and uncrewed side of the aviation world.

She has advised Fortune 500 flight departments, high net worth individuals, and manufacturers and suppliers on regulatory concerns related to the operation and production of aircraft, including complex issues related to permitted compensation, pilot licensing, operating structures such as dry leasing, timesharing and fractional ownership agreements, and emergency and Letter of Investigation response related to quality escapes and incidents. She also represents clients in the acquisition and sale of business aircraft, including cross-border transactions requiring the export or import of aircraft.

Mary-Caitlin counsels drone and eVTOL manufacturers, operators, and owners on all aspects of FAA regulatory compliance, including the business impacts of the evolving global regulatory framework for emerging aviation technologies. She also advises drone manufacturers and operators developing internal aviation-related corporate policies and best practices.

Mary-Caitlin has significant experience advising investors on the regulatory implications of investment into a wide array of aviation-related businesses, including MROs, manufacturers (including eVTOL manufacturers), and businesses that own and/or operate aircraft.

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Photo of Helena Alvarez Helena Alvarez

Helena Alvarez helps clients meet their legal and business objectives by counseling them on Antitrust & Competition and Mass Tort, Product & Consumer Litigation matters.

Helena supports clients on a wide variety of antitrust and competition issues. Her antitrust and competition representative experience

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Helena Alvarez helps clients meet their legal and business objectives by counseling them on Antitrust & Competition and Mass Tort, Product & Consumer Litigation matters.

Helena supports clients on a wide variety of antitrust and competition issues. Her antitrust and competition representative experience includes civil litigation, investigations, and transactions.

Within her torts practice, Helena assists clients in the pharmaceutical, consumer product, and transportation industries with their regulatory and litigation needs.

Helena maintains an active pro bono practice, primarily handling asylum matters.

Helena received her J.D., cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law. In law school, she was a student attorney in the Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic and on the executive board of the American University Business Law Review. She earned her B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University.

Born and raised in El Salvador, Helena is a native Spanish speaker.

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Photo of Jasmine Masri Jasmine Masri

Jasmine Masri is an associate in Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts and International Trade groups. Jasmine focuses her practice on global compliance issues, regulatory enforcement matters, and government investigations. Through her practice, Jasmine provides counsel on a variety of matters at the intersection…

Jasmine Masri is an associate in Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts and International Trade groups. Jasmine focuses her practice on global compliance issues, regulatory enforcement matters, and government investigations. Through her practice, Jasmine provides counsel on a variety of matters at the intersection of government contracts and international trade, including cross-border government procurement, economic sanctions, and export controls.

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