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Aerospace Industry
SmithAmundsen’s aerospace attorneys dedicate their practice to the complete array of legal issues that confront the diverse aerospace industry. We possess an adept understanding of both small and large aviation operations, including general and business aviation, air carrier concerns, fixed wing and helicopter pilots, municipalities, airports, aircraft owners, fixed base operators (FBOs), insurers, maintenance and manufacturing companies, and lessees and lessors. Our aerospace attorneys are also well positioned to address the emerging and evolving landscape of satellite, spacecraft, and space travel litigation.
Our aerospace team advises clients on legislative affairs affecting the aerospace industry, administrative rulemaking, regulatory compliance/enforcement concerns, business deals and aircraft transactions, liability protection, and litigation.
Complemented by fellow practice groups in other disciplines, SmithAmundsen’s aerospace practice also provides clients comprehensive, expanded services including augmented assistance with equipment acquisition and financing, negotiating and documenting contracts, creditors’ rights assistance, intellectual property, and labor and employment representation and counseling.
Modern aviation is an exceptionally safe mode of transportation, and most involved are especially conscientious of safety rules and concerns. Nevertheless, accidents can and do happen in every industry, however in aviation they tend to involve serious injuries, death, or damage to expensive or costly equipment.
Our dedicated aerospace attorneys successfully defend airports, commercial airlines, product manufacturers, pilots, aircraft owners, certified flight instructors, and other aviation businesses in mass disaster and complex tort cases that include personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, and property damage matters. We also represent aviation businesses in commercial disputes, often resolving problems before filing suit.
We have successfully represented operators, manufacturers, airports, FBOs, and others in lawsuits involving:
General Aviation Crashes and Accidents
Commercial Aviation Crashes and Accidents
Helicopter Crashes and Accidents
Aspects of the Warsaw Convention, the Montreal Convention, the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA)
Representation in NTSB and FAA hearings and investigations
Our representative resume includes hundreds of airplane and helicopter pilots as well as operators. Our dedicated aerospace attorneys regularly counsel clients on the following FAA enforcement matters:
Emergency revocation proceedings
Civil penalties
Certificate actions related to pilot training
Faulty record keeping
Substance abuse
Medical disqualification
Environmental hazards
Operational breaches
Appeals of administrative decisions
We understand a litigation matter can have a serious impact on our clients and their business. With that, we are committed to developing solutions to help our clients solve their toughest problems. In addition to the services we provide once litigation arises, our dedicated aerospace attorneys work with clients to craft proper contracts, advise on risk management strategies, and provide insight into many areas within the aerospace industry in order to reduce and manage potential risks while keeping their business interests in mind. In many instances, the best time to work with our attorneys is before a lawsuit arises.
In addition to our litigation minimization and avoidance services, our attorneys frequently advise clients on issues related to aircraft ownership and aviation business operations including:
Negotiating, drafting, and/or analyzing contracts, operating agreements, leases, and other corporate agreements Identifying the best business structure for their needs, and assisting in incorporation
Assisting product manufacturers with drafting and revising user and operator manuals and instructions
Federal Aviation Regulation compliance
Charter, FBO, and airport operations
Labor and employment matters
Tax issues
Aircraft, equipment, and property purchases and sales
FAA Certification
SmithAmundsen's aerospace attorneys are involved in several organizations that exist to promote and protect the interests of the aviation community. In some of these organizations our attorneys hold leadership positions, present educational seminars for members, and receive referrals for legal work.
We are proud to belong to and support these organizations, including:
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
Lawyer Pilot Bar Association (LPBA)
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
Women in Aviation, International (WAI)
Women in Aviation, Chicago’s Leading Edge Chapter
International Association of Women in Aviation (IAWA)
Aviation Insurance Association (AIA)
Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA)
Chicago Bar Association—Aviation Committee
Airports Council International (ACI)
Alan L. Farkas
Linda Gehrs
Brandt R. Madsen
Suzanne J. Massel
Michael S. McGrory
Anna M. Kazaz
Jack Harrington
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