Aviation is truly the engine of the global economy. The industry today faces a number of significant challenges, including maintaining safety and security, limiting environmental impact, and weathering volatile economic conditions. Cozen O’Connor’s dedicated team has deep industry-specific knowledge of aviation laws and norms, and provides regulatory, litigation, and business counsel to clients operating in every area of the aviation and aerospace fields. Now more than ever, given the legal and regulatory implications the aviation industry faces in the shadow of COVID-19, including those attendant to the transport of the vaccine, counsel on the cutting edge is essential. Few law firms support an aviation practice as robust as Cozen O’Connor’s.
Indeed, as other firms turn increasingly to niche markets, Cozen O’Connor continues to invest in its full-service aviation practice. We believe that aviation clients benefit from seamless, comprehensive representation through a single law firm. Cozen O’Connor has attorneys with experience in a vast range of related subspecialties and offers global reach. With offices in 30 cities across North America and Europe, and extensive experience working in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, Cozen O’Connor is ready to respond wherever and whenever needs arise. Our Rapid Response Team can provide immediate and ongoing counsel in response to aviation accidents and incidents.
We represent major U.S. and foreign passenger and cargo air carriers, airline trade associations, airports, aircraft, aviation products and component part manufacturers, aviation and aerospace insurers and reinsurers, repair facilities, and manufacturers and operators of unmanned aircraft systems (drones). We also serve aircraft lessors, air travel distribution companies, air/ground express delivery companies, logistics specialists, and large corporations, banks, private equity funds, and other investors with aviation-related operations or transactions.
Regulatory. Cozen O’Connor attorneys advise clients on the full array of laws and regulations, including those enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. We assist with regulatory compliance; appear before executive branch agencies; and advocate before policymakers and regulators in Washington, D.C. During the coronavirus pandemic, our team has been actively involved in advising major U.S. and foreign airlines and other aviation companies on a wide range of COVID-related issues, including those under the CARES Act.
Litigation. Cozen O’Connor handles wrongful death and survival actions, personal injury claims, product liability and recalls, property damage claims, liability claims, coverage disputes, air accidents, and other claims under the Montreal and Warsaw conventions. Cozen O’Connor has earned its reputation as a top trial firm by successfully trying multi-million dollar aviation claims to verdict and aggressively negotiating favorable settlements on behalf of aviation clients.
The firm also assists aviation clients in state and federal government investigations. Firm attorneys regularly represent subjects and third parties in federal investigations of all types, including mergers, civil antitrust, consumer protection, and criminal. The firm has a dedicated State Attorneys General practice that defends clients against state consumer protection, deceptive trade, and advertising claims.
Business Transactions. Cozen O’Connor regularly assists with major aviation-related transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures, sale and leasing of aircraft, aviation financings, and aircraft management and ownership agreements. Our aviation attorneys work closely with antitrust, energy, environment, finance and tax specialists, all of whom have experience in the aviation industry, to support innovative cross-border deals and develop innovative solutions in order to maximize value for clients.
The aviation team includes fellows in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers; a member of the U.S. delegations to international air transport agreement; a past president of the Insurance Law Commission of the Union Internationale des Avocats; a special assistant U.S. Attorney; a former Air Force Judge Advocate; an editor of leading treatises on aviation law in the United States and Europe; the editor-in-chief of The Air & Space Lawyer, a quarterly publication of the American Bar Association; a member of the International Association of Women in Aviation; and a former military pilot with thousands of flight hours.