Peter Simshauser, NHTSA’s Chief Counsel, oversees legal services across the agency. His office plays a critical role in advancing NHTSA’s safety mission, including enforcing vehicle safety standards and overseeing investigations and litigation. Under his leadership, the agency designs and implements strategies for developing, applying and enforcing regulations to maximize vehicle safety in cost-effective ways.
Upon joining NHTSA in January 2025, Simshauser began leading the agency’s efforts to establish a federal regulatory framework for automated vehicles and reset vehicle fuel economy standards. His work also focuses on reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries by addressing risky driving behaviors, supporting high-visibility enforcement campaigns, strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, and promoting innovative strategies to reduce speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and lack of seat belt use.
Prior to joining NHTSA, Simshauser was the chief legal officer and chief compliance officer of Motional, a joint venture to develop, deploy and commercialize automated vehicle technology. He led the legal compliance and governmental affairs teams’ efforts to ensure the safe and legal deployment of Motional’s driverless vehicles. Simshauser previously was a partner at Skadden Arps, where he represented public and private companies in complex business disputes and government enforcement matters.
Simshauser graduated from Harvard Law School and holds bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and mathematics.