Chief Counsel

William “Liam” McKenna was appointed FAA Chief Counsel In January 2025.

McKenna was named the Acting FAA Deputy Administrator in January 2025. He previously served in the Department of Transportation’s Office of General Counsel as an Associate General Counsel from 2019-2021. As a senior appointee, McKenna provided legal advice to the Secretary, General Counsel, and other senior department officials. 

McKenna has spent much of his career on Capitol Hill, most recently as Chief Counsel for Oversight and Investigations and then General Counsel for the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. 

McKenna also served as the Chief Counsel for the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee as well as General Counsel for the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. 

McKenna holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Santa Cruz and a juris doctorate degree from UC Davis School of Law.