PHMSA's Office of Chief Counsel has attorneys in three divisions; General Law, Pipeline Safety Law, and Hazardous Materials Safety Law.

Acting Chief Counsel, Sherri Pappas
Assistant Chief Counsel, General Law Division, Patricia A. Burke
Assistant Chief Counsel, Hazardous Materials Law Division, Joseph Solomey
Assistant Chief Counsel, Pipeline Safety Law Division, James M. Pates
Adjudications Counsel, Laura L. Barhydt
Attorney-Advisor, Amelia Samaras

• Administrative Officer, Gail P. Mayhew
• Paralegal Specialist, Kia Gaskins 
• Legal Assistant, vacant
• Administrative Assistants, Anitra Brown, Willard Walker

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
East Building, 2nd Floor
Mail Stop: E26-105
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

phmsachiefcounsel@dot.gov
202-366-4400
202-366-7041 (Fax)

Patricia A. Burke

• May Chiranand
• Karin Christian
• Charles Lohmeyer

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
East Building, 2nd Floor
Mail Stop: E26-105
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

phmsachiefcounsel@dot.gov
202-366-4400
202-366-7041 (Fax)

Review a list of duties of this Division

Joseph Solomey

• Jackie Cho
• Frazer C. Hilder
• Vincent Lopez
• Thomas D. Seymour
• Christina Tackett
• Shawn Wolsey

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
East Building, 2nd Floor
Mail Stop: E26-105
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

phmsachiefcounsel@dot.gov
202-366-4400
202-366-7041 (Fax)

James M. Pates

• Renita K. Bivins
• Benjamin M. Fred
• Larry T. White

• Keith Coyle
• James B. Curry
• Brianne Kurdock

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
East Building, 2nd Floor
Mail Stop: E26-105
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

phmsachiefcounsel@dot.gov
202-366-4400
202-366-7041 (Fax)