Former US Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater helps clients integrate their interests in the overall vision for the transportation system of the 21st century – a vision he set as Transportation Secretary to promote a safer, more efficient, environmentally sound and sustainable worldwide transportation infrastructure.
Secretary Slater also helps state and local government clients address the vexing challenge of closing the gap between transportation demand and capacity by employing public-private strategies and innovative financing solutions. As an industry group leader of our Automotive & Transportation Group, Secretary Slater focuses on many of the policy and transportation objectives that were set under his leadership, including automobile use and development, aviation competition and congestion mitigation, maritime initiatives, high-speed rail corridor development, and overall transportation safety and funding. He continues to embrace the framework he established as secretary for making transportation decisions that called for more open, collaborative and flexible decision making across the transportation enterprise here and abroad.
Secretary Slater’s bipartisan and inclusive approach to problem solving has earned him tremendous respect and admiration on both sides of the aisle, enabling him to have one of the best relationships with the White House, Congress and business, labor and political leaders worldwide in the history of the US Department of Transportation (DOT). His work at DOT forever altered America’s and the world’s appreciation of transportation as more than just concrete, asphalt and steel. Secretary Slater brings the same strategic, results-oriented and collaborative approach to the practice of law to his public policy practice.
As US Secretary of Transportation under President Bill Clinton, Secretary Slater passed several historic legislative initiatives over his tenure, including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), which guaranteed a record US$200 billion in surface transportation investment though 2003, and the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), which provides a record US$46 billion to improve the safety and security of the nation’s aviation system. Under his leadership, the federal transportation budget doubled and in the department’s "best in government" strategic and performance plans, the scope and definition of transportation was expanded to include a focus on safety, mobility and access, economic development and trade, the environment and national security.
Prior to his tenure as Transportation Secretary, Secretary Slater served as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, where – as the agency’s first African-American Administrator in its century-long history – he oversaw the development of an innovative financing program that resulted in hundreds of transportation projects being completed two to three years ahead of schedule with greater cost efficiencies. Over that time, the federal transportation budget increased an unprecedented 104%.
Secretary Slater is one of the leaders of the firm’s best-in-class practice in Corporate Compliance Advice, ensuring best-business practices for various companies. Secretary Slater led Toyota’s Safety Advisory Panel, serves an Independent Monitor for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and was recently selected by NHTSA to serve as the Independent Monitor of FCA.
He is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation, which promotes the role of public service and pro bono work in the practice of law and the development of public policy. Additionally, Secretary Slater is a founding partner of the Washington DC Nationals Baseball team and Chair Emeritus of the Washington DC Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. He is also an NCAA Silver Anniversary Recipient (2002) for football.
Quoted, “Pennsylvania weighs gas-tax alternatives to fund transportation,” The Bond Buyer, March 26, 2021.
Quoted, “Muni bond advocates troubled by infrastructure prospects,” The Bond Buyer, March 19, 2021.
Featured Guest, “Video: Prospects for transportation infrastructure,” The Bond Buyer Leaders Forum, March 15, 2021.
Quoted, “US local infra ‘primed for P3s’,” P3 Bulletin, March 9, 2021.
Quoted, “Biden, Buttigieg to Push Infrastructure Plan,” The Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2021.
Quoted, “Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail to offer employment opportunities to disadvantaged communities,” Global Railway Review, March 2, 2021.
Quoted, “Joe Biden picks ex-Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm for energy secretary,” Financial Times, February 19, 2021.
Quoted, “In transit air rights, is the sky the limit?” The Bond Buyer, February 9, 2021.
Quoted, “P3 to play crucial role in Biden administration,” P3 Bulletin, January 15, 2021.
Quoted, “Transit Systems Dodge Worst Cuts for Now With $27 Billion U.S. Aid,” Bloomberg, December 22, 2020.
Quoted, “Analysis: Pete Buttigieg, transport revolutionary?” P3 Bulletin, December 21, 2020.
Quoted, “Transportation Secretary pick Buttigieg understands the municipal market,” The Bond Buyer, December 16, 2020.
Quoted, “Joe Biden picks primary rival Pete Buttigieg as transport secretary,” Financial Times, December 15, 2020.
Quoted, “Joe Biden will nominate Pete Buttigieg to lead the Department of Transportation,” Politico, December 15, 2020.
Quoted, “What Biden's Win Means For Transportation, Infrastructure,” Law360, November 8, 2020.
Guest, “Podcast: Prospects for Infrastructure,” The Bond Buyer, October 27, 2020.
Quoted, “Analysis: FAST forward,” Partnerships Bulletin, October 13, 2020.
Quoted, “Covid ‘changing future’ of infrastructure,” Partnerships Bulletin, September 25, 2020.
Quoted, “Trump Readies $1tr Infrastructure Bill to Aid Recovery,” Financial Times, June 16, 2020.
Quoted, “Red-state cities get cool reception from GOP on relief aid,” The Hill, May 16, 2020.
Featured, “Detroit hires major lobbying firm for help securing federal coronavirus aid,” Crain’s Detroit Business, May 12, 2020.
Quoted, “Push Seen for More Airport Funds in CARES 2,” Bloomberg Government, April 24, 2020.
Guest, “Former T&I Leader Bill Shuster, US Sec of Transpo Rodney Slater Touts Fuel Tax, Presses for Leadership,” Transport Topics Radio, January 23, 2020.
Quoted, “Why MTA's chief says Baltimore employers should stop subsidizing parking,” Baltimore Business Journal, September 9, 2019.
Featured, “Washington News in Brief: Event Draws UA Law School Alums,” Arkansas Democrat Gazette, May 26, 2019.
Quoted, “Dan Gilmartin and Kalamazoo and Lansing Mayors Stress Importance of Placemaking in Infrastructure Investment,” Save Michigan City, May 15, 2019.
Quoted, “Amazon’s new home near the Pentagon is in the throes of a makeover,” Financial Times, November 14, 2018.
Quoted, “Invigorated Dems Renew Focus On Transpo Infrastructure,” Law360, November 8, 2018.
Quoted, “Controlled Thermal Resources launch environmentally sustainable lithium-geothermal project in Imperial Valley, California,” Mining.com, October 24, 2018.
Quoted, “UA law student picked for public-policy grant; funds to aid tenant-landlord research,” Arkansas Democrat Gazette, July 17, 2018.
Mentioned, “Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Selects U of A Law Student for Fellowship,” University of Arkansas Newsletter, May 31, 2018.
Guest, “Rodney Slater addresses Infrastructure funding,” Fox Business “Countdown to the Closing Bell,” February 16, 2018.
Quoted, “Former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater speaks on Silas Hunt’s legacy, transportation issues,” Talk Business and Politics, February 6, 2018.
Guest, “Any investment in infrastructure should include technology,” CNBC “Squawk Box,” January 31, 2018.
Quoted, “Oz could be key player in driverless cars,” The Australian, October 11, 2017.
Quoted, “Mining could help Australia lead the way on driverless cars, Rodney Slater says,” ABC Online, October 11, 2017.
Guest, “Australia well-placed to adapt to driverless car world,” ABC Radio, October 10, 2017.
Quoted, “Oz could be key player in driverless cars,” SBS News, October 10, 2017.
Guest, “Infrastructure in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey,” CNBC “Squawk on the Street,” August 30, 2017.
Quoted, “SPB urges coordination on driverless cars,” The Australian, July 10, 2017.
Featured, “Table of Experts: Transportation and Infrastructure Forum,” Cincinnati Business Courier, March 24, 2017.
Quoted, “Kings Point alumni worry about status risk,” TradeWinds, October 10, 2016.
Quoted, “Next President Should Focus on Education, Research, Spectrum for IoT Growth, Panelists Say,” Consumer Electronics Daily, July 27, 2016.
Quoted, “If you’re not at the table, then sometimes you’re on the menu,” Infrastructure Intelligence, May 19, 2016.
Quoted, “Energy Security Partners Sign Land Lease for Jefferson County Fuel Plant,” Arkansas Business Online, April 4, 2016.
Quoted, “Imagine A Future Of Hyperloop Pods Moving People, Cars Without Drivers, And Drones With Minds Of Their Own: Welcome To Los Angeles,” TechDay, March 24, 2016.
Featured, “Conference to Focus on Investment in Delta,” Arkansas Business Online, January 6, 2016.