Andrew B. Steinberg
Encyclopedia
Andrew B. Steinberg is a leading aviation
regulatory lawyer who has held several key posts in the public and private sectors. He served until 2008 as the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs within the United States Department of Transportation
, after being confirmed to the position by the U.S. Senate on September 29, 2006, following appointment by President George W. Bush
. Prior to that post, he had been appointed by the President in May 2003 as the Chief Counsel of the Federal Aviation Administration
, where he served as the top legal advisor to FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey
. Steinberg is currently a partner in the Washington D.C. office of the international law firm
of Jones Day
, where he leads the firm’s aviation regulatory practice, a post once held by aviation pioneer L. Welch Pogue
.
, Inc., the online travel site, following its acquisition of Preview Travel, Inc.
From 1996 to 2000 he was Senior Vice President and then Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Sabre, Inc., a leading provider of computerized reservation systems and information technology to the travel industry.
From 1990 to 1996 he held a number of senior positions within the legal department of American Airlines, Inc.
, serving as Associate General Counsel in charge of the airline's employment and environmental legal practice, and Senior Attorney responsible for antitrust matters.
From 1986 to 1990 he was associated with the Los Angeles
-based law firm of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, where he practiced antitrust law and commercial litigation.
Immediately prior to joining the Department of Transportation, Steinberg was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
, a diversified consumer packaged goods and industrial products company with $1.5 billion in sales.
Steinberg earned his bachelor's degree in politics magna cum laude from Princeton University
and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School
. After law school he served as a judicial law clerk
to the Honorable Richard A. Gadbois, Jr. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California
.
to begin flights in the U.S., over the heavy opposition of U.S. airlines and labor unions, finding that the airline was not under the control of Virgin Group
’s Richard Branson
. He tried unsuccessfully to end federally subsidized flights to 65 smaller communities, saying the Essential Air Service
program did not work and needed reform. About a possible merger in 2007 between US Airways
and Delta Air Lines
, Steinberg said in congressional testimony that while any merger immediately reduces the number of competitors, ultimately market forces would play out to benefit consumers.
On the international front, under Secretary Mary Peters, he led DOT’s efforts in 2007 to secure an “Open Skies
” agreement with the European Union
. Steinberg helped negotiate an agreement with the Civil Aviation Administration of China
(CAAC) that doubled air routes to the U.S., and then signed an order giving United Airlines
and Delta Air Lines
access to coveted new routes to China
(from San Francisco to Guangzhou
and from Atlanta to Shanghai
respectively). He opposed the inclusion of aviation in Europe's Emissions Trading Scheme
, claiming it "would violate international law and undercut international efforts to better manage the impact of aviation emissions," a position disputed by EU authorities. He also promoted the use of satellite-based air traffic systems as part of efforts to modernize legacy air traffic control
systems in the U.S. and elsewhere.
. He also defended the agency’s decision, after an impasse with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
, to impose a new contract on NATCA.
, against FAA safety allegations over alleged maintenance and work rule violations after the airline’s training academy came under scrutiny in the Colgan Flight 3407
crash. He has been critical of the slow pace of modernization of the air traffic control system under the FAA “NextGen
” program. He claimed that President Barack Obama
's National Mediation Board
would take various procedural steps to benefit airline labor unions, which later occurred. Earlier in his career, Steinberg represented American Airlines
in defeating claims of predatory pricing
and attempted monopolization
by Continental Airlines
and Northwest Airlines
, who were represented by prominent plaintiff’s attorneys David Boies
and Joe Jamail
.
Award) from the Environmental Protection Agency for his work representing the United States at the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO), on preservation of the ozone layer
.
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
regulatory lawyer who has held several key posts in the public and private sectors. He served until 2008 as the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs within the United States Department of Transportation
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967...
, after being confirmed to the position by the U.S. Senate on September 29, 2006, following appointment by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Prior to that post, he had been appointed by the President in May 2003 as the Chief Counsel of the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
, where he served as the top legal advisor to FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey
Marion Blakey
Marion Clifton Blakey is president and chief executive officer of the Aerospace Industries Association. AIA represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, space systems, aircraft engines, missiles,...
. Steinberg is currently a partner in the Washington D.C. office of the international law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
of Jones Day
Jones Day
Jones Day is an international law firm founded in Cleveland, Ohio on March 1, 1893, by Judge Edwin J. Blandin and William Lowe Rice. Jones Day is the eighth largest law firm in the world by revenue, and the fourth highest grossing firm in the US with annual revenues of US$1.4 billion...
, where he leads the firm’s aviation regulatory practice, a post once held by aviation pioneer L. Welch Pogue
L. Welch Pogue
Lloyd Welch Pogue was a pioneering American aviation attorney and chairman of the now-defunct Civil Aeronautics Board.-Early life and education:...
.
Education and career
From 2000 to 2002 Steinberg was Executive Vice President of Administration, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Travelocity.comTravelocity
Travelocity is an online travel agency and wholly owned subsidiary of Sabre Holdings Corporation, which was a publicly traded company until taken private by Silver Lake Partners and Texas Pacific Group in March 2007...
, Inc., the online travel site, following its acquisition of Preview Travel, Inc.
From 1996 to 2000 he was Senior Vice President and then Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Sabre, Inc., a leading provider of computerized reservation systems and information technology to the travel industry.
From 1990 to 1996 he held a number of senior positions within the legal department of American Airlines, Inc.
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
, serving as Associate General Counsel in charge of the airline's employment and environmental legal practice, and Senior Attorney responsible for antitrust matters.
From 1986 to 1990 he was associated with the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-based law firm of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, where he practiced antitrust law and commercial litigation.
Immediately prior to joining the Department of Transportation, Steinberg was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Church and Dwight
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is a minor U.S. manufacturer of household products that is based in Princeton, New Jersey. While it manufactures many items, it is by far best known for its Arm & Hammer line which includes baking soda and many other items made with it. The company was founded in 1896 to...
, a diversified consumer packaged goods and industrial products company with $1.5 billion in sales.
Steinberg earned his bachelor's degree in politics magna cum laude from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
. After law school he served as a judicial law clerk
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
to the Honorable Richard A. Gadbois, Jr. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for the Central District of California
The United States District Court for the Central District of California serves over 18 million people in southern and central California, making it the largest federal judicial district by population...
.
Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs
As Assistant Secretary, Steinberg handled several heavily contested and controversial matters. He granted economic authority to Virgin AmericaVirgin America
Virgin America, Inc. is a United States-based low-cost airline that began service on August 8, 2007. The airline's stated aim is to provide low-fare, high-quality service for "long-haul point-to-point service between major metropolitan cities on the Eastern and West Coast seaboards." San Francisco...
to begin flights in the U.S., over the heavy opposition of U.S. airlines and labor unions, finding that the airline was not under the control of Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
’s Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
. He tried unsuccessfully to end federally subsidized flights to 65 smaller communities, saying the Essential Air Service
Essential Air Service
Essential Air Service is a U.S. government program enacted to guarantee that small communities in the United States, which, prior to deregulation, were served by certificated airlines, maintained commercial service. Its aim is to maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service to these...
program did not work and needed reform. About a possible merger in 2007 between US Airways
US Airways
US Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
and Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
, Steinberg said in congressional testimony that while any merger immediately reduces the number of competitors, ultimately market forces would play out to benefit consumers.
On the international front, under Secretary Mary Peters, he led DOT’s efforts in 2007 to secure an “Open Skies
Open skies
Open skies is an international policy concept which calls for the liberalization of rules and regulations on international aviation industry most specially commercial aviation - opening a free market for the airline industry...
” agreement with the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. Steinberg helped negotiate an agreement with the Civil Aviation Administration of China
Civil Aviation Administration of China
The Civil Aviation Administration of China , formerly the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China , is the aviation authority under the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China. It oversees civil aviation and investigates aviation accidents and incidents...
(CAAC) that doubled air routes to the U.S., and then signed an order giving United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
and Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
access to coveted new routes to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(from San Francisco to Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
and from Atlanta to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
respectively). He opposed the inclusion of aviation in Europe's Emissions Trading Scheme
European Union Emission Trading Scheme
The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme also known as the European Union Emissions Trading System, was the first large emissions trading scheme in the world. It was launched in 2005 to combat climate change and is a major pillar of EU climate policy...
, claiming it "would violate international law and undercut international efforts to better manage the impact of aviation emissions," a position disputed by EU authorities. He also promoted the use of satellite-based air traffic systems as part of efforts to modernize legacy air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
systems in the U.S. and elsewhere.
FAA Chief Counsel
At the FAA, Steinberg oversaw a staff of 290 individuals, including approximately 200 aviation lawyers, located in Washington and in the agency's 11 regional offices and technical centers. In 2006 he issued a cease and desist order against a jet management company that the FAA claimed was involved in illegal operations as an air carrier and was linked to a crash at Teterboro AirportTeterboro Airport
Teterboro Airport is a general aviation relief airport located in the Boroughs of Teterboro, Moonachie, and Hasbrouck Heights in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It is owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey...
. He also defended the agency’s decision, after an impasse with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is a labor union in the United States. It is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, and is the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration...
, to impose a new contract on NATCA.
Private law practice
At Jones Day, Steinberg has represented large airline clients opposed to FAA efforts to increase safety regulation, including new limits on pilot work hours. He also defended a commuter airline, Gulfstream International AirlinesGulfstream International Airlines
Gulfstream International Group, Inc., operating as Gulfstream International Airlines , is a United States airline based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It operates scheduled and charter services to Florida and Bahamas and the Caribbean. It operates as a United Express carrier for United Airlines...
, against FAA safety allegations over alleged maintenance and work rule violations after the airline’s training academy came under scrutiny in the Colgan Flight 3407
Colgan Air Flight 3407
Colgan Air Flight 3407, marketed as Continental Connection under a codeshare agreement with Continental Airlines, was a daily U.S. regional airline commuter flight from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York State.A Bombardier...
crash. He has been critical of the slow pace of modernization of the air traffic control system under the FAA “NextGen
Next Generation Air Transportation System
The Next Generation Air Transportation System is the name given to a new National Airspace System due for implementation across the United States in stages between 2012 and 2025. The...
” program. He claimed that President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's National Mediation Board
National Mediation Board
The National Mediation Board is an independent agency of the United States government that coordinates labor-management relations within the U.S...
would take various procedural steps to benefit airline labor unions, which later occurred. Earlier in his career, Steinberg represented American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
in defeating claims of predatory pricing
Predatory pricing
In business and economics, predatory pricing is the practice of selling a product or service at a very low price, intending to drive competitors out of the market, or create barriers to entry for potential new competitors. If competitors or potential competitors cannot sustain equal or lower prices...
and attempted monopolization
Monopolization
The term monopolization refers to an offense under Section 2 of the American Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890. Section 2 states that any person "who shall monopolize . ....
by Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
and Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
, who were represented by prominent plaintiff’s attorneys David Boies
David Boies
David Boies is an American lawyer and chairman of the law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner. He has been involved in various high-profile cases in the United States.-Early life and education:...
and Joe Jamail
Joe Jamail
Joseph Dahr Jamail, Jr. is a Lebanese American attorney and billionaire. The wealthiest practicing attorney in America, he is frequently referred to as the King of Torts. As of 2011, his net worth was estimated by Forbes to be $1.5 billion, making him the 833rd richest person in the world.Jamail...
.
Awards
In 2008 Steinberg won the Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award (now known as the Montreal ProtocolMontreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion...
Award) from the Environmental Protection Agency for his work representing the United States at the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO), on preservation of the ozone layer
Ozone layer
The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone . This layer absorbs 97–99% of the Sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to the life forms on Earth...
.