Aerospace & Commercial Transportation Litigation

SmithAmundsen uniquely offers experienced and knowledgeable litigation counsel to both the aerospace and commercial transportation industries. Our aerospace and commercial transportation attorneys recognize that from disaster response, to complex tort litigation; large regulatory frameworks to well-developed unions and workplace rules; and engineering analysis to accident reconstruction, these industries share many similarities. Profiting from years of experience, attorneys and clients in both concentrations learn from each other and this in turn strengthens the services we offer. Through expedient case analysis and practical identification of a plan toward resolution, the attorneys in our aerospace and commercial transportation practices are committed to exceeding client expectations.

For additional information on our aerospace practice, please contact Co-chair Alan L. Farkas.

For additional information on our commercial transportation practice, please contact Co-chair Lew R.C. Bricker.

Author, “Illinois Encourages Foreign Aviation Disaster Plaintiffs to File in Cook County,” SmithAmundsen Aerospace Alert, January 26, 2012.

Author, “Regulatory Roundup,” SmithAmundsen Aerospace Alert, January 4, 2012.

Co-author, “OSU Deja Vu: Legal Lessons from the OSU Basketball Tragedies,” Sports Law Blog, January 7, 2012.

Co-author, "Crash for the KHL: Analysis of the Russian Hockey Team Airplane Tragedy and Lessons to be Learned in Sports Organization Risk Management,” Sports Litigation Alert, vol. 8 iss. 20, November 4, 2011.

Co-presenter,"What Business Aviation Needs to Know About Criminal Negligence Charges and Prosecution of Accidents," SmithAmundsen Aerospace and Marsh USA presentation, Oakbrook, IL, November 4, 2011.

Author, “Court Rules for Airport in Student Pilot’s Intentional Crash,” SmithAmundsen Aerospace Alert, October, 2011.

Author, “Court Finds FARs Do Not Preempt Product Liability Claim For Aircraft Windshield Design,” SmithAmundsen Aerospace Alert, October, 2011.

Author, “Cramming Cases into Existing Tests,” Journal of the Section of Litigation, Vol. 38, No. 1, Fall 2011.

Author, “Trimming the Claws of the Internet’s Jurisdictional Reach,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring-Summer 2011 (46-3&4).

Presenter, "Indemnities: Everything You Need to Know About Indemnities Involving Airports," Airports Council International - North America Spring Legal Conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 14, 2011.

Presenter, “The Future of Negligent Security Claims against Airlines and Airports,” SMU Air Law Symposium, March 2011.

Presenter, Annual Forums at EAA Airventure on FAA Enforcement and Homebuilder Liability, 2003-2010.

Presenter, “Basics of Sec. 1983 Litigation,” Airport Counsel International – North America Legal Affairs Conference, April 2010.

Presenter, “Anatomy of an Aviation Case – The Gulfstream G-IV Crash at Palwaukee Airport,” Chicago Bar Association, February 2009.

Presenter, “How Do I Protect Myself from Litigation?” Women in Aviation International (WAI) Annual Meeting, February 2008.

Presenter, “The Insurer’s Role in the NTSB Investigation,”Aviation Insurance Association (AIA) Annual Meeting, April 2008.

Presenter, “Runway Surface Friction and Landing Performance Monitoring Technology,” Lawyer Pilot Bar Association (LPBA) Annual Meeting, August 2008.

Co-author, “Sanctions in the Court of Appeals: the Seventh Circuit Takes Off the Gloves,” The Circuit Rider, May, 2007.

Presenter, “Mock Trial of an FAA Enforcement Case – Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA), April 2006.

Author, “Aviation Law and Tragedy,” Sport Aviation, March, 1999.

Author, “Changing Your Aircraft,” Sport Aviation, July, 1998.

Presenter, “Spoliation of Evidence,” Aviation Insurance Association, Colorado Springs, May 1996.

Co-author “Ethical Considerations,” Mastering Real Estate & Title Insurance National Business Institute, January 11, 1996.

Presenter, “Ethical Considerations-Mastering Real Estate Titles and Title Insurance,” National Business Institute, 1996.

Reference, “Public video cameras play larger role for attorneys in courtroom,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, January 5, 2012.

Presenter, "Transportation: How to Investigate, Defend, and Resolve Truck Accident Claims, CLM seminar, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, November 10, 2011.

Speaker, "The Essentials Course: Transportation Law," International Warehouse Logistics Association, Memphis, TN, October 24, 2011.

Author, "Sperl v. C. H. Robinson Appeal Denied by the Illinois Supreme Court -- $23.775 million dollar Verdict Stands," Transportation Law Alert, October 10, 2011.

Speaker, "Maximizing the Value of Social Media Investigation in Litigation," 2011 Arkansas Trucking Seminar, Springdale, AR, September 15, 2011.

Co-author, "In the Wake of Sperl: Best Practices Following an Eight Figure Judgement Against a Freight Broker," IWLA, June 2011.

Author, "Illinois Appellate Court Strikes Down Legislation Revising Gross Weight Limits For Commercial Vehicles, But Decision Temporarily Stayed," SmithAmundsen Transportation Alert, February 2011.

Co-author, "Federal and State Trends Toward Prohibition of Texting While Driving," SmithAmundsen Transportation Alert, January 4, 2011.

Author, "Preservation After the Immediate Response to the Catastrophic Accident - Lessons Learned," SmithAmundsen Transportation Alert, December 6, 2010.

Co-author, "Opening the Door to Broker Liability -- Speri, et al. v. C.H. Robinson, et al.," and "Indemnification and Risk Shifting in the Motor Carrier Industry," Office Moving Alliance Conference, October 2010.

Author, "FMCSA Prohibits Texting by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers," SmithAmundsen Transportation Alert, September 27, 2010.

Author, "The FedEx Ground Independent Contractor Litigation Update," Transportation E Brief, September 13, 2010.

Author, "Risk Shifting and Indemnification, Negligent Hiring/Supervision/Entrustment, and The Carmack Amendment," 2010 USLAW Trucking Boot Camp, August 2010.

Program Designer, Co-coordinator, and Speaker -- "The Motor Carrier and Some Things You Should Know," USLAW Trucking Boot Camp III, Omaha, NE, August 2010.

Program Designer, Co-coordinator, and Speaker -- "Rapid Response – What to do when the Call Comes In," USLAW Trucking Boot Camp III, Omaha, NE, August 2010.

Speaker, “Any Which Way You Can: The Peril in Ignoring Ethics," American Trucking Association Forum for Motor Carrier General Counsel, Monterey, CA, July 2010.

Speaker, “Disclosure and Proof in Civil/Common Law Proceedings -- The United States," 2010 TELFA Seminar, London, England, June 2010.

Moderator and Panelist, “The Lesser of Two Evils? What to do with Preventability Determinations and In House Post Accident Investigation,” 2010 USLAW Seminar, Transportation Track, Miami Beach, FL, April 2010.

Co-author, “Post Accident Investigation and Preventability Determinations Best Practices” 2010 USLAW Seminar, April 2010.

Panelist, “Economy and Efficiency: Strategies and Solutions – A Little Preparation Now Can Reduce Future Risks – Not So Common Tools,” International Warehouse Logistics Association, Annual Convention and Expo, San Diego, CA, March 8, 2010.

Co-author, “Being Prepared – Some Alternative Considerations for Minimizing Risk, Protecting Your Company and Doing Business Just a Little Bit Better,” International Warehouse Logistics Association, March 2010.

Speaker, "Keeping Up with the Millennials – The Use and Ramifications of Technology," DRI Trucking Law Seminar, Las Vegas, NV, February 5, 2010.

Co-author, "Keeping Up with the Millennials -- The Use and Ramifications of Technology," DRI Trucking Law Seminar, Defense Practice Seminar Course Materials, pp.165 - 194, February 2010.

Columnist, “Legally Thinking,” The Waybill: “Additional Insured Coverage — Another Way to Protect Your Business,” (February 2010); “Killing Me Softly — The End of Indemnification in Motor Carrier Transportation Contracts (Almost),” (October 2009); “An Expansion of Broker Liability,” August 2009.

Author, "The Department of Transportation Agrees to New Hours of Service Rulemaking," Transportation E Brief, November 16, 2009.

Speaker, "Transportation Accident Investigation — Immediate Response & Forensics," IWLA 2009 Safety & Risk Conference, Rosemont, IL, November 12, 2009.

Author, "Illinois Clarifies Insurance Coverage for Motor Carriers and Their Permissive Users," Transportation E Brief, November 3, 2009.

Co-presenter, "Your Company: Limit Unnecessary and Financial and Liability Exposures in 2010," SmithAmundsen client seminar, Oak Brook, IL, October 27, 2009.

Co-authors, "Trucking Policyholder's Duty to Preserve Coverage," DRI Trucking Law Committee, 2009.

Featured Guest, "Rapid Response: Best Practices," USLAW Radio, December 2008.

Presenter, "Responding to Catastrophic Loss: Lessons Learned from the Aviation Industry," USLAW Network Fall Seminar, Las Vegas, NV, 2008.

Program Designers, Coordinators, and Speakers, "USLAW Trucking Boot Camp II," Omaha, NE, July 2008.

Co-authors, "Airport Commercial Ground Transportation Programs Survey of Law" Airport Cooperative Research Program's Legal Research Digest 3, July 2008.

Section Co-author, "ABA's Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee's Spoliation of Evidence, A State by State Summary," Wisconsin Chapter, 2008.

Co-author, "Survey of Laws and Regulations of Airport Commercial Ground Transportation," ACRP Program 11-01, "Legal Aspects of Airport Regulations." Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., July 2008.

Program Moderator, "Transportation," USLAW Client Conference, Miami, FL, March 2008.

Presenter, Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association Products Liability Committee, Chicago, February 22, 2008.

Program Designers, Coordinators, and Speakers, "USLAW Trucking Boot Camp," Omaha, NE, September 2007.

Presenter, "We Did It Right, Why Did It Go Wrong?," PRIMA 2007 Annual Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, 2007.

Co-author, "Electronic Media Discovery Applications to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26," American Trucking Association Forum for Motor Carrier General Counsels, August 2007.

Panelist and Lecturer, “Spoliation of Evidence and Electronic Discovery in the Transportation Industry,” Machinery Haulers Association, Bettendorf, Iowa, 2007.

Presenter, “Responding to the ‘Bet the Farm’ Case,” Machinery Haulers Association, Easton, MD, February 2007.

Section Co-author, "ABA's Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee's Punitive Damages Compendium," Indiana Chapter, 2007.

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