Avi D. Kelin, Esq. Joins the State’s Advanced Autonomous Vehicle Task Force

Mr. Kelin's nomination was recently approved by Governor Phil Murphy.  

“We congratulate Avi on his nomination to the State’s Advanced Autonomous Vehicle Task Force and are confident he will represent the firm and New Jersey well,” said Angelo Genova, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and Chairman of Genova Burns LLC. “Avi is truly an expert in this emerging technology sector and is the perfect legal mind to provide counsel to the Task Force as we move closer to the reality of autonomous cars on the streets and highways of the Garden State. The Firm is pleased to add another of its ranks to the list of Genova Burns attorneys serving in advisory capacities to our state government.”

Kelin is an Associate in the Firm's Newark, NJ office, and, for some time, has concentrated on the legal issues surrounding the emerging technology of autonomous vehicles. He has lectured and written widely on this topic, with articles appearing in NJ Business Magazine, the Commercial Observer, as well as a host of related digital articles on regional and national media websites. He won the 2014 Howard J. Rudge Scholarship Prize for his paper, Last Chance Power Drive: Why and How the United States Should Prepare for Autonomous Cars.

“I am honored by the nomination to the Task Force, and I look forward to the opportunity to bring my expertise to this esteemed group of business leaders and government advisors,” said Kelin. “Autonomous cars are not an issue of ‘if,’ it is more an issue of ‘when.’ The State needs to keep ahead of the curve on the subject, so we can embrace this emerging technology as it becomes more and more mainstream.”

Beyond this growing sector, Kelin mainly focuses on the interaction between government and business. He advises on the interaction between government and the business community, advising businesses, trade associations and individuals on lobbying requirements, campaign finance law, pay-to-play restrictions, government ethics rules, and the government procurement process. Kelin assists clients in establishing and operating New Jersey and Federal Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs, from the initial registration process to ongoing operating matters. He also advises 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organizations on corporate governance and their political activity.

Kelin also advises political candidates on campaign finance compliance and government officials on ethics requirements as well as on related government investigations and enforcement actions. He has advised numerous candidates, PACs, and political parties on navigating Federal Election Commission (FEC) and New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) investigations and complaints. He counsels clients on a wide array of commercial leasing and transactional agreements and disputes, provides counsel to business entities and non-profit organizations on their corporate law and business transaction needs, including bylaws, service and operating agreements, and policy documents. Kelin has deep expertise in all aspects of alcohol-beverage licensing under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC), from the initial application through ongoing compliance, investigations and enforcement actions.

Kelin serves as a member of Genova Burns’ Corporate Law & Business Transactions, Commercial Real Estate & Redevelopment, Construction Law & Litigation, Corporate Political Activity Law, Criminal Defense, and Investigations & Compliance Practice Groups.

About Genova Burns

Founded over 30 years ago, Genova Burns works with companies, individuals, and business interests regionally, nationally and internationally on matters in New Jersey and the Northeast Corridor between New York and Washington D.C. The Firm provides a comprehensive offering of exceptional legal services complemented by the responsiveness, resources and collective expertise often found at larger firms, all while serving clients in a personal, relationship-focused manner.

The Firm’s offices are strategically located across the region to meet and surpass clients’ needs. The attorneys embody the Firm’s long-term vision to have a law firm that provides unparalleled legal services to companies and individuals while being an active part of the business, political and philanthropic community at the state and local level. The Firm’s best resource is its people. Over the course of the past year alone, more than a dozen of Genova Burns’ attorneys, and the Firm as a whole, were recognized with more than 25 awards for their commitment to the legal profession and for service to the community. For more information, call 973-533-0777 or visit www.genovaburns.com.