George Lavin
SECRETARY
George J. Lavin, III, Esquire has been practicing law for almost 30 years. He routinely advises clients on automotive regulatory, legal, and safety issues and has successfully defended hundreds of “crashworthiness” cases filed against automotive manufacturers and suppliers – many of which alleged defects in software-controlled safety systems. George understands the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) regulatory structure, including its history and how software, sensor and AI technology changed, and continue to change, the automotive industry. He understands the interplay between FMVSS, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards – and how FMVSS compliance testing and certification occurs.
George has extensive litigation and trial experience, including as lead trial counsel, in numerous complex and high-exposure jury trials that included complex software-based defenses. He has been admitted pro hac vice in over 20 state and federal jurisdictions and actively practices in all the state and federal trial and appellate courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. George also represents non-automotive AI, high technology and software companies, start-ups, and manufacturers with their business-related legal issues, as well as in litigation and at trial.
George started his professional career as an engineer and manager, working for 10 years in the defense and aerospace industry where he managed inspection and engineering groups responsible for the quality of mobile (air, ground, sea, and space) military/defense communication and software systems; aircraft modifications; avionics systems; electronic and mechanical assembly; and FAA certification/compliance. George obtained his BSME from Bucknell University and his JD from the Villanova University School of Law.
George is also active in the community. He assisted the West Philadelphia EVX Team with crashworthiness, legal, technology, and fundraising issues during their quest for the $10 million-dollar Automotive X Prize. George is also involved with many local charities, non-profits, bar associations, and community economic development organizations.