Jacob Crawford
Counsel
Suite 2200
San Diego, CA 92101
901 15th Street, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, D.C., 20005
Jacob is a seasoned litigation and regulatory attorney with more than two decades of experience advising leading automotive, technology, and mobility companies on complex product liability issues, regulatory compliance, and emerging vehicle technologies. His practice includes managing and first-chairing product liability litigation matters; guiding clients on risk management and compliance with local, state, and federal...
Jacob is a seasoned litigation and regulatory attorney with more than two decades of experience advising leading automotive, technology, and mobility companies on complex product liability issues, regulatory compliance, and emerging vehicle technologies. His practice includes managing and first-chairing product liability litigation matters; guiding clients on risk management and compliance with local, state, and federal regulators; and developing regulatory strategies while responding to agency inquiries and investigations. He also advises automotive suppliers, developers, and manufacturers on new product homologation and market-readiness, supporting OEMs, transportation technology companies, and startups across the U.S. and internationally.
Jacob regularly advises clients on high-exposure product liability class action and commercial litigation matters, as well as product development and compliance issues related to a wide array of products, including automotive, recreational, agricultural, micro mobility and construction. He provides comprehensive guidance on homologation, testing, and deployment strategies; interfaces with federal and state regulatory agencies; and helps clients navigate complex frameworks including the TREAD Act, FMVSS, DOT, FMCSR, CMVSS, EPA, FCC and various state and local rules and regulations, including CADMV, CARB and CPUC
Jacob’s extensive in-house and law firm experience includes senior roles with major automotive and technology companies. As Managing Counsel for Regulatory and Litigation at Tesla, he advised on compliance for the Company’s product homologation and compliance programs and well as managed product liability claims and lawsuits against the Company He also served as Lead Product Counsel for Lyft’s Level 5 Autonomous Vehicle Division (later acquired by Toyota’s Woven Planet North America), where he oversaw regulatory compliance and product safety initiatives for the development of autonomous vehicles and management of the Company’s micromobility programs. Earlier in his career, Jacob managed litigation and regulatory compliance for Nissan North America and Kia Motors America.
regulators; and developing regulatory strategies while responding to agency inquiries and investigations. He also advises automotive suppliers, developers, and manufacturers on new product homologation and market-readiness, supporting OEMs, transportation technology companies, and startups across the U.S. and internationally.
Jacob regularly advises clients on high-exposure product liability class action and commercial litigation matters, as well as product development and compliance issues related to a wide array of products, including automotive, recreational, agricultural, micro mobility and construction. He provides comprehensive guidance on homologation, testing, and deployment strategies; interfaces with federal and state regulatory agencies; and helps clients navigate complex frameworks including the TREAD Act, FMVSS, DOT, FMCSR, CMVSS, EPA, FCC and various state and local rules and regulations, including CADMV, CARB and CPUC
Jacob’s extensive in-house and law firm experience includes senior roles with major automotive and technology companies. As Managing Counsel for Regulatory and Litigation at Tesla, he advised on compliance for the Company’s product homologation and compliance programs and well as managed product liability claims and lawsuits against the Company He also served as Lead Product Counsel for Lyft’s Level 5 Autonomous Vehicle Division (later acquired by Toyota’s Woven Planet North America), where he oversaw regulatory compliance and product safety initiatives for the development of autonomous vehicles and management of the Company’s micromobility programs. Earlier in his career, Jacob managed litigation and regulatory compliance for Nissan North America and Kia Motors America.
Experience
Previous Professional Experience
- Senior Counsel, San Francisco-based litigation firm (2023–2025)
- Partner, Washington D.C.-based Am-law firm (2022-2023)
- Managing Counsel, Regulatory & Litigation, Tesla, Inc.
- Lead Product Counsel, Woven Planet/Toyota Motor Corporation, Lyft, Inc.- Level 5 (2019-2022)
- Senior Counsel, Regulatory & Litigation, Nissan North America, Inc. (2014-2019)
- National Litigation Counsel, Kia Motors America, Inc. (2009-2012)
- Senior Counsel, Birmingham-based boutique litigation firm (2004-2009; 2012-2014)
Education
- University of Alabama School of Law, JD (2004)
- University of Alabama, BA (2001)
Admissions
- California
- District of Columbia
- Tennessee
Previous Professional Experience
- Senior Counsel, San Francisco-based litigation firm (2023–2025)
- Partner, Washington D.C.-based Am-law firm (2022-2023)
- Managing Counsel, Regulatory & Litigation, Tesla, Inc.
- Lead Product Counsel, Woven Planet/Toyota Motor Corporation, Lyft, Inc.- Level 5 (2019-2022)
- Senior Counsel, Regulatory & Litigation, Nissan North America, Inc. (2014-2019)
- National Litigation Counsel, Kia Motors America, Inc. (2009-2012)
- Senior Counsel, Birmingham-based boutique litigation firm (2004-2009; 2012-2014)
Jacob is a seasoned litigation and regulatory attorney with more than two decades of experience advising leading automotive, technology, and mobility companies on complex product liability issues, regulatory compliance, and emerging vehicle technologies. His practice includes managing and first-chairing product liability litigation matters; guiding clients on risk management and compliance with local, state, and federal... regulators; and developing regulatory strategies while responding to agency inquiries and investigations. He also advises automotive suppliers, developers, and manufacturers on new product homologation and market-readiness, supporting OEMs, transportation technology companies, and startups across the U.S. and internationally.
Jacob regularly advises clients on high-exposure product liability class action and commercial litigation matters, as well as product development and compliance issues related to a wide array of products, including automotive, recreational, agricultural, micro mobility and construction. He provides comprehensive guidance on homologation, testing, and deployment strategies; interfaces with federal and state regulatory agencies; and helps clients navigate complex frameworks including the TREAD Act, FMVSS, DOT, FMCSR, CMVSS, EPA, FCC and various state and local rules and regulations, including CADMV, CARB and CPUC
Jacob’s extensive in-house and law firm experience includes senior roles with major automotive and technology companies. As Managing Counsel for Regulatory and Litigation at Tesla, he advised on compliance for the Company’s product homologation and compliance programs and well as managed product liability claims and lawsuits against the Company He also served as Lead Product Counsel for Lyft’s Level 5 Autonomous Vehicle Division (later acquired by Toyota’s Woven Planet North America), where he oversaw regulatory compliance and product safety initiatives for the development of autonomous vehicles and management of the Company’s micromobility programs. Earlier in his career, Jacob managed litigation and regulatory compliance for Nissan North America and Kia Motors America.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Previous Professional Experience
- Senior Counsel, San Francisco-based litigation firm (2023–2025)
- Partner, Washington D.C.-based Am-law firm (2022-2023)
- Managing Counsel, Regulatory & Litigation, Tesla, Inc.
- Lead Product Counsel, Woven Planet/Toyota Motor Corporation, Lyft, Inc.- Level 5 (2019-2022)
- Senior Counsel, Regulatory & Litigation, Nissan North America, Inc. (2014-2019)
- National Litigation Counsel, Kia Motors America, Inc. (2009-2012)
- Senior Counsel, Birmingham-based boutique litigation firm (2004-2009; 2012-2014)
Education
- University of Alabama School of Law, JD (2004)
- University of Alabama, BA (2001)
Admissions
- California
- District of Columbia
- Tennessee
Practice Areas
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