Renita Bivins is a Senior Attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Ms. Bivins joined DOT in January 2001. Prior to joining DOT, Ms. Bivins was in private practice as an insurance defense attorney. She also has experience in medical malpractice law, personal injury, property damage, family law, consumer protection law, and housing law. For two years, Ms. Bivins served as a judicial law clerk with the State of Louisiana, Second Circuit Court of Appeal, where she aided in the administration of the judge’s docket, conducted legal research and writing on issues of law and fact in an appeal and produced clear, concise written opinions.
Ms. Bivins serves in the dual role of prosecutor and presiding official. Her current responsibilities include advising PHMSA’s Southern Region, Office of Pipeline Safety, on various legal matters including its enforcement activities in relation to oil and gas pipeline operators. She assists, advises, represents, and provides counsel to senior officials on the agency's authority for and the legal implications of its enforcement activities, as well as matters related to the regulation and transportation of hazardous materials, Administrative Law, procurement, debt collection, federal tort claims, EEO, Freedom of Information Act and environmental law. Ms. Bivins also presides over administrative hearings to adjudicate enforcement cases concerning possible violations of federal pipeline safety laws and regulations.
Ms. Bivins has received numerous awards. Most notably, the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Partnering, Secretary’s 9-11 Transportation Ribbon for extraordinary service provided to the nation during and after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the Administrator’s 2XL Excellence Award for surpassing the current standard of performance.
Ms. Bivins is a Senior Fellow and graduate of the Council for Excellence in Government leadership program. Her year-long participation included a series of activities which explored the demands of executive leadership and the commitments required for successful leaders. The Council for Excellence in Government offers leadership and management development programs for each stage of government service, from emerging leaders to senior executives, Presidential appointees and elected officials.
Ms. Bivins is a graduate of Loyola Law School in New Orleans and a licensed member of the Louisiana State Bar Association.