Aviation Legal Group PA: What You Need to Know
Aviation Legal Group PA is a leading law firm specializing in aviation-related matters. Founded in 2010 , Aviation Legal Group PA is located in Florida (USA). Technology and the internet facilitates the ability to provide legal services to clients anywhere. Aviation Legal Group PA attorneys hold valid FAA pilot certificates and understand aviation in a way non-pilots can not. Our passion for the subject of aviation law bolsters our advocacy for our clients in the practice of aviation law. We have developed a reputation in the aviation legal community as an expert aviation law firm. Aerospace attorneys and aviation industry lawyers throughout the country refer aviation related cases to Aviation Legal Group PA.
Aviation Law Professionals
Aviation Legal Group PA is at the forefront of specialized legal work in aviation. This area of law has no substitute. Its dynamic nature requires constant study and analysis. In addition to craft level knowledge of aircraft transactions, litigation and regulatory issues affecting aviation, Aviation Legal Group PA has briefed and assisted with drafting of amendments to laws, pre filing of, comments on proposed rules and petitions for rulemaking to the FAA.
Aviation Legal Group PA concentrates on the following areas of aviation law:
Aircraft Purchases and Sales
The purchase or sale of a business aircraft can be complex, requiring a careful examination of regulatory and performance issues. Aviation Legal Group PA represents clients in aircraft transactions at all legal stages. Aviation Legal Group PA law also draws on its strong working relationships with the industry’s leading registrars, documentation firms and title search firms to assist with ensuring that clients can close their deals with minimum hassle and delay.
Commercial Financing
Aviation Legal Group PA is recognized legal counsel for some of the biggest names in finance in the aviation industry. Aviation Legal Group PA advises on aircraft acquisitions, sales, financing and operating leases. Aviation Legal Group PA provides a full range of transaction-related legal services including: corporate and regulatory advice for aircraft financing; advice on general aircraft law; and advice on billing practices and liability related to performance of aircraft services.
Regulatory Issues
Our firm has significant experience managing government relations with the FAA. Aviation Legal Group PA works closely with key members of the FAA’s regional offices and headquarters to resolve matters that have arisen in the course of our representation. Even when an intractable issue arose, Aviation Legal Group PA has stepped in, met with senior FAA officials and created a path to resolution.
Litigation and Resolution of disputes
Aviation Legal Group PA’s litigants handle litigation from the start. Aviation Legal Group PA begins with the end in mind and explores every means of litigating or resolving a case fairly and promptly. Our commercial documentation practice dovetails with our litigation capabilities in the event disputes arise. Aviation Legal Group PA’s lawyers have resolved disputes in all major courts in the US federal system. The attorneys at Aviation Legal Group PA are recognized as industry leaders by their peers.
Services We Provide
Aviation Legal Group PA offers a wide array of legal services to our clients, ensuring thorough and comprehensive support in the highly specialized field of aviation law. We understand the nuances of the aviation industry and use this knowledge to navigate complex legal issues, provide practical advice, and protect your interests at every turn.
Contract Negotiation: Aviation Legal Group PA is a skilled negotiator for aviation contracts and agreements. We adeptly draft, review, and amend all types of aviation-related agreements, including purchase and sale contracts for both aircraft and components. Our team works diligently to ensure that your contracts accurately reflect the terms of your agreement and protect your interests. With a methodical approach, we clarify all responsibilities, performance standards, payment terms, warranties, and liability limitations to guarantee your understanding of your obligations and rights.
Aircraft Transactions: Aviation Legal Group PA provides students, school districts, companies, and other potential aircraft buyers with assistance in investigating and securing leases or purchases of aircraft or UAVs, by locating the aircraft, negotiating, and preparing the appropriate documentation. In addition, we assist potential aircraft or UAV sellers in marketing their aircraft, helicopter, or UAV, screening the buyer, and closing the deal.
Dispute Resolution: Aviation Legal Group PA provides legal representation for individuals, companies, and government entities in aircraft accident disputes, property damage claims, and aviation injury litigation. The life-changing consequences of such accidents make it essential to have an attorney who understands and can count on a solid litigation history. In addition, Aviation Legal Group PA, negotiates and litigates complex contract disputes arising from transactions and other conflicts involving aviation matters, including the FAA and NTSB.
Successful Outcomes
Our previous successes speak for themselves. Consider the following cases that showcase the depth of our experience and range of competence, particularly for private jet owners, operators, and charter clients.
Case Study 1: Nationwide Leasing Company versus Eas Aviation
The dispute between these companies revolved around the sale of a Bombardier Challenger 600, which was subject to a lease agreement between Eas Aviation, Inc., and Nationwide Leasing Company.
Eas Aviation, Inc., a newly formed corporation chartering and leasing aircraft, purchased the aircraft for $4,800,000. Shortly thereafter, the parties executed the lease agreement with Eas leasing the aircraft to Nationwide at a rate of $130,000 per month. The lease contained a clause allowing Eas to sell the aircraft at any time, and in March 1996, Eas sold the aircraft to Continental Aircraft Sales, Inc. (CAS, another corporation owned by the same owners of Eas) in exchange for a promissory note of $2,800,000 plus CAS’s assumption of the lease with Nationwide and Eas. A few months later, Nationwide filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. By vacating the premises where the aircraft was parked and terminating the lease with Nationwide, the aircraft was reconveyed to the Eas-Continental group. When Eas sold the aircraft to another company, it demanded from Nationwide all payments due under the lease until the aircraft was sold.
The entire case was tried to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The court upheld the sale of the aircraft to CAS since this action was authorized by the national bankruptcy court in which Nationwide filed for bankruptcy. The court also determined that neither the lease nor the bankruptcy court order prohibited the eas-Continental group from selling the aircraft or terminating the lease, and therefore the Eas-Continental group was entitled to all rents due under the lease. Additionally, the court awarded Eas-Continental attorneys’ fees and expenses as part of its damages.
Case Study 2: Baalman Construction Company versus Travel Air, Inc.
Baalman Construction Company, an Oklahoma construction company, contracted with Oklahoma Turbine Air, Inc., a charter and reconstruction company, to rebuild a Cessna 310. Oklahoma Turbine Air then entered into a contract with Air West Alaska, a charter company, in regard to the design specifications for the Cessna 310 that would be rebuilt. In mounting a defense in Oklahoma Construction’s suit against it, Oklahoma Turbine Air sought coverage from its insurer, The Continental Insurance Company. The insurer denied coverage because the accident involving Baalman was not covered by the policy.
Oklahoma Turbine Air, Baalman, and Air West initiated an action for a declaratory judgment against The Continental Insurance Company to establish that the collision was covered by the insurance policy or, in the alternative, to establish that the insurer had a duty to defend. The action was tried to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the facts were undisputed. The court held that the collision did not fall within the definition of "occurrence" and that The Continental Insurance Company had no duty to defend. The parties disputed only whether the case was ripe for appeal. The appellate court found that the issue involved a substantial question of law and therefore should proceed on interlocutory appeal.
Meet the Team
The Aviation Legal Group PA is home to a diverse team of aviation law professionals, all of whom bring unique strengths to the firm that make it a premier provider of legal services for those in the aviation and aerospace industry. Attorney Richard C. Alexander is Board Certified in Aviation Law by The Florida Bar, while also maintaining a real estate license in the state. He is a pilot himself and brings more than 40 years of experience in local, state and federal courts to the firm. Areas of legal focus for him include accident investigation, aircraft purchase, leasing, partnership and ownership, aircraft maintenance facilities, contracts and agreements, litigation and more. When it comes to aviation business law , couple the real world experience of Richard with attorney Craig Vuicich. Craig comes to the firm after serving as the Director of Business Law for an international airline, where he spent nearly a decade handling everything from employment agreements to new business lines and acquisitions. Craig is admitted to practice before the state and federal District of Columbia and the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the D.C. Circuit and the Eleventh Circuit, and brings a wealth of insight for clients dealing with commercial matters and non-aviation based law services. These two highly qualified professionals comprise the core of the Aviation Legal Group PA, backed by a team steeped in a range of aviation and aerospace experience. If you are interested in hiring this firm, request a consultation today.
Why Choose Us
Aviation Legal Group PA stands out amongst the competition by providing not just legal services but a complete industry insight into both aviation and business law. Our team understands the specific issues companies face in the aviation industry, whether you have an international practice or a local based business. The diversity of our practice enables us to understand the unique requirements of the aviation industry and provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to each client. Our clients are predominantly aviation and defense industry pioneers and organizations and small businesses; however, we also represent clients from other industries such as: telecommunications, rail and transportation, construction, government contracts and various commercial business sectors. They value our commitment to providing personalized service with a level of skill and responsiveness that matches that of large law firms. Aviation Legal Group PA is committed to getting the results that matter to our clients, and we work with our clients to devise strategic business and legal solutions to help them fulfill their company goals.
Client Feedback and Reviews
Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of our business and we take all feedback very seriously. We are delighted when we have happy clients, as they are the reason we do what we do.
"Satisfaction guaranteed! What more can I ask? I was going to give up on my aviation business venture because I thought I was too small potatoes for a firm of such stature, but ALG PA made me feel important in every sense of the word. I did not need to plead with them to take me, I just called and they were there to represent me and my interests. Also, I had no idea how complicated a simple purchase could be without them . "
"One of the best decisions that I have made was to have the entire team at Aviation Legal Group PA handle my recent purchase of a Cirrus SR22. They became instantly available whenever the opportunity presented itself for a plane I liked (even one on the very first day of their new office!). And over the course of two months, they must have read every single word in the plane’s 700 page logbook! To say they are attentive is an understatement and have truly impressed me with their dedication and thoroughness. I have no complaint with any step of the process in working with Aviation Legal Group PA."