November 21, 2024
Driven Innovation . Evolving Regulation
The Symposium
The technologies of tomorrow rise up from the foundation of civilization. In order to build rockets, you must have the rule of law. Before you can fly delivery drones at scale, you must de-risk.
Though often overlooked, law, insurance, and mitigation are core components of the civilizations that make possible humanity’s most awe-inspiring achievements.
This symposium is a gathering place for the future-oriented experts of these professions.
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila (RSHC) hosts an Autonomous Vehicles Symposium each year, with various industry and regulatory speakers discussing the latest product liability litigation trends, regulatory concerns, business considerations, and technological advancements.
Who Should Attend?
Industry leaders, current and future stakeholders, regulators, and insurers interested in the development of autonomous vehicles for ground, aerial, and maritime use.
What to Expect?
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP (RSHC) is excited to host our annual Autonomous Vehicles Symposium on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at The Marconi Automotive Museum located in Tustin California. This three hour conference offers valuable information from industry leaders, regulators, and Trail Blazers in ground, aerial, and maritime autonomous vehicle development and all associated industries.
The symposium will feature multiple thought-provoking panels with cross-disciplinary participants. This experience provides attendees the opportunity to tackle some of the most challenging issues facing autonomous vehicle industries.
As the industry raplidy evolves, our symposium does too.
The Speakers
Amber Harrison
Director of Regulatory Affairs
@Vertical Aviation International
Amber Harrison is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Vertical Aviation International. While she’s still fairly new in her role at VAI, she’s no stranger to the aviation industry. Amber has made her mark as an attorney and business leader in supply chain contracts & negotiation, aircraft certification, trade compliance, and UAS manufacturing and operations. Amber is a current and active commercially rated helicopter pilot, which has enabled her to marry her love for the industry with her passion for flight.
Solomon Abiola, Ph.D.
Venture Fellow Associate
@Nassau Street Ventures
Dr. Abiola is a Venture Fellow Associate at Nassau Street Ventures. He obtained a dual Ph.D. in computer science and translational biomedical sciences. He uses this knowledge to drive innovation and value creation across multiple disciplines ranging from aerospace, biomedical, mechanical, and computer science. He is an expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning demonstrated by his successful track record of supporting promising startups in the AI industry.
Michael P. Smith
VP and Deputy General Counsel
@Transdev North America
Michael Smith is the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel (Commercial) at Transdev, an operator and global integrator of mobility providing safe, reliable and innovative solutions in the transportation space. Transdev operates multiple modes with businesses and public authorities such as bus, rail, paratransit, non-emergency medical transport, autonomous vehicles, shuttles, and vehicle maintenance services in 46 States, plus DC and Puerto Rico. Globally, Transdev has a team of 101,000 across 19 countries and is based in Chicago, IL. Michael supports two high volume regions in the western US, as well as the Company’s rail and autonomous vehicle business segments. In this role, Michael provides extensive commercial and transactional expertise, including significant involvement in risk mitigation, crisis management, regulation, commercial disputes and general corporate strategy.
Kim Beatty
General Counsel
@Envisics, Inc.
Kim Beatty is the General Counsel at Envisics, Ltd., an innovative holographic technologies company that develops the future of head-up-display (HUD) and augmented reality (AR) to redefine the way people interact with their vehicles. Their dynamic holography platform enables them to overlay important real-time driving information without creating a distraction. Kim is responsible for the entire legal function of Envisics, including corporate governance and risk management, operations compliance, supply-chain manufacturing, commercial automaker partnerships, and strategic execution to deliver a safer, more enhanced driving experience.
Tony James
VP of Advanced Air Mobility
@Gallagher
Tony James is the Vice President of Advanced Air Mobility at Gallagher. He is responsible for the design and development of Gallagher’s capabilities in the advanced air mobility sector, including eVTOL, urban air mobility, drones, and other experimental development. Tony also worked at Virgin Galactic for 16 years, where he served as the Director of Risk Management.
Daniel Moore
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
@Anduril Industries
The Venue
For more than 30 years, the Marconi Automotive Museum has showcased some of the world’s most remarkable automobiles. Proceeds from the museum’s events and visitors support at-risk children’s charities throughout Orange County.
Marconi Automotive Museum
1302 Industrial Drive Tustin, California 92780
The Schedule
Conversations designed to enlighten and inspire; an environment curated to energize and entertain.
Thursday, November 21st
3:30 PM
REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
We’re rolling out the red carpet, so arrive early, check-in, then check out Marconi’s showroom of exotic and famous cars including one secretly owned by Bruce Wayne.
4:00 PM
OPENING REMARKS
Co-founder and Managing Partner Judge Patricia Holmes welcomes guests, sharing the firm’s vision for the future and importance of the discussions to come.
4:05 PM
panel 1 - the future of autonomy at the edge
Dr. Solomon Abiola and Daniel Moore discuss cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technologies and what horizon-focused insurers, attorneys, and regulators should be pondering now.
4:35 PM
Panel 2 - driving innovation, managing risk: legal perspectives in Autonomous vehicles
Kim Beatty and Michael P. Smith tackle the emerging legal and moral questions and challenges facing insurers as they underwrite vehicles piloted by “AI” and robots rather than humans.
5:05 PM
Panel 3 - aviation & autonomy: rules and risks
Tony James and Amber Harrison address emerging regulations and risk mitigation trends around autonomous aircraft.
5:35 PM
Closing remarks
RSHC’s Autonomous Vehicles team lands the plane on our elevated discussions about the industry with their brief insights on key takeaways and next steps for attendees.
5:45 PM
RSHC Open House
Join your friends from RSHC for an exclusive post-event cocktail reception where luxury meets intrigue. Surrounded by Ferraris, race cars, and even the iconic Batmobile, you’ll enjoy a sophisticated soiree in a setting that exudes elegance and vision.
6:15 PM
Rushaga Orphanage & School
Uniting imagination with impact, RSHC Partner Shalem Massey discusses the incredible ways in which our featured charity, Rushaga Orphanage & School, is bringing hope and opportunity to children in Africa.
8:00 PM
Conclusion
You’ve been educated and inspired, you’ve made new friends, now it’s time to go home, marinate, and then get to work. We look forward to building the future with you and your team.
Featured Charity
Rushaga Orphanage & School is bringing hope and the promise of a bright future to orphans in Africa.
The companies represented by our speakers and guests are ushering-in astounding inventions. These technologies not only improve overall quality of life, they also make our world more interconnected, enabling previously remote countries to actively participate in and benefit from our global economy.
Rushaga is preparing the “least of these” to make the most of the world of tomorrow. They provide children with an education, a ladder, out of poverty, and a path to a brighter future.
In-addition to providing financial support, RSHC is proud showcase Rushaga at this year’s symposium.
Faq's
You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers. Well, some answers are least. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact our Irvine office – we’d be happy to help.
Where is the symposium being held?
At the Marconi Automotive Museum located at:
1302 Industrial Dr, Tustin, CA 92780
Will the event be held in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format?
The event is being held in-person but if you can’t attend live, we’ve got you covered with a live-stream option. Just enter your info here to get registered for the virtual option.
What are the parking or transportation options for attendees?
The venue has a free open parking lot, no need to get validation. If you need validation, here it is: we think you’re awesome and you’re doing a great job.
What time should attendees arrive to check in or register?
We’ll start welcoming and registering guests from 3:30pm – 4:00pm. Get settled, networking, take a photo op. And then we’ll kick off with opening remarks at 4:00pm.
Will there be refreshments or meals provided during the event?
Yes, we’ll have both!
After our guest talks we’ll have an post-event cocktail reception where luxury meets intrigue. Stick around, meet members of our firm while enjoying your favorite beverage and some heavy tray passed appetizers.
Is there a cost to attend the symposium?
Nope. Attendance is free!
Can attendees bring guests?
Yep, absolutely! There’s no limit to how many guests you can bring.
Who is this event for?
This event is for industry leaders, current and future stakeholders, regulators, and insurers interested in the development of autonomous vehicles for ground, aerial, and maritime use.
What is this event about?
The symposium will feature multiple thought-provoking panels with cross-disciplinary participants. This experience provides attendees the opportunity to tackle some of the most challenging issues facing autonomous vehicle industries.
As the industry rapidly evolves, our symposium does too.
Who is hosting this event?
This event is being curated by the Connected and Autonomous Vehicles service group at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP (RSHC). We’re proud to be the preferred firm of multiple Fortune 100 companies as well as many top insurers in the Lloyds of London marketplace.