Former Surface Transportation Board Chair Joins Nossaman as Partner

WASHINGTON (September 19, 2011) – Nossaman LLP announced today that Linda J. Morgan has joined the Firm as a partner in the Infrastructure Practice Group. Ms. Morgan has extensive legislative and regulatory experience in the transportation sector, including her roles as chair of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and its successor the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and general counsel for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Her practice focuses on a broad range of rail and other transportation matters, as well as general legislative, regulatory, and policy issues. She is based in Nossaman’s Washington, DC, office and will work on projects across the country.

“Clients seek out Nossaman because of our proven track record advising on successful projects throughout the U.S. and our prominent position on the cutting edge of policy development,” said Geoffrey S. Yarema, co-chair of Nossaman’s Infrastructure Practice Group. “We are focused on strategic growth of the practice group to ensure we continue to address all of our clients’ critical infrastructure needs as the nation’s transportation networks continue to grow and evolve.”

“The addition a veteran attorney with Linda’s government experience immediately enhances our depth in the transportation policy arena. Her knowledge of the rail industry strengthens our capabilities in one of the world’s fastest-growing project sectors,” Mr. Yarema added.

Ms. Morgan was appointed by President Clinton as chair of the ICC in 1995, oversaw the transformation of that agency into the STB in 1996, and served until 2002 as the STB’s first chair. In that capacity, she presided over numerous transportation regulatory proceedings, including rail rate and service matters and railroad merger cases of unprecedented national scope and complexity. As general counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, she handled a broad array of legislative matters and was responsible for much of the legislation that established the framework for today’s transportation system. Most recently, she was chair of the Transportation Practice Group at Covington & Burling LLP, where her practice included counseling railroad and other transportation industry clients on economic regulation, infrastructure investment, safety, and other related matters. Ms. Morgan is the second partner to join Nossaman’s Washington, DC, Infrastructure Practice Group this year, following the addition in January of railroad and public transit lawyer Kevin M. Sheys.

“I have always respected Nossaman’s innovative counsel to its public and private sector clients, which has involved virtually every major infrastructure project completed in North America over the last two decades,” Ms. Morgan said. “The team’s depth in all aspects of the business—from project development to contract negotiations to enabling legislation—offers a terrific opportunity for me and my clients to work alongside the very best in the business.”

Widely recognized for her contributions to the legal profession, Ms. Morgan was selected in 2011 and prior years by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer nationally in the area of rail transportation. Clients commented to the publication that she is an “asset on the Hill … a real policy person as well as a substantive regulatory lawyer.” She has also been regularly recognized by Best Lawyers in America. She earned her J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and an A.B. degree from Vassar College. Ms. Morgan also completed the Program for Senior Managers in Government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

About Nossaman’s Infrastructure Practice Group:

Nossaman’s Infrastructure Practice Group combines policy insight and industry leadership with decades of successful project development experience to help project owners effectively address their critical infrastructure needs. Our attorneys are on the cutting edge of policy development, helping set the standard for how infrastructure projects get financed and built. This outstanding group is top-ranked nationally in Chambers USA 2011. Nossaman continues to build this practice and is actively looking for talented groups and individuals to join us. If you would like to learn more about working for Nossaman, please visit www.nossaman.com/infrastructure or email Allyson Sparks at asparks@nossaman.com.

About Nossaman:

Nossaman LLP is a national law firm with 150 professionals working seamlessly across the U.S. with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Sacramento, Washington, DC, and Austin. Whether it’s working to finance and develop public infrastructure, promote clients’ interests at all levels of government, provide healthcare services, litigate complex matters, entitle private development, manage natural resources, complete real estate transactions, or increase business profitability, clients rely on Nossaman to get results.