Michael Deutsch

Associate

Recent News:

Cozen O’Connor Assists Alaska Airlines in $1.9 Billion Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines

Cozen O'Connor advised Alaska Airlines in connection with its recent $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.

A dynamic “rising star” in the aviation bar, Mike concentrates his practice on aviation regulatory and security matters. Recognized for his proactive and collaborative approach, clients appreciate that Mike takes the time to understand their business needs and provide well-rounded, clear, and concise advice.

Aviation Regulatory

Mike advises U.S. and foreign passenger and cargo airlines, Part 380 public charter operators, aviation industry trade associations, aircraft ferry operators, global business jet companies, and advanced air mobility/air taxi and uncrewed aircraft system (drone) operators and manufacturers on the full array of U.S. aviation laws and regulations, including those enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

He regularly counsels clients on DOT/FAA licensing and registration requirements, U.S. carrier citizenship laws, consumer protection issues, competition matters, investigations and enforcement actions, economic and code-sharing authority, flight schools, traffic rights under bilateral air service agreements, airport slot issues, and compliance with ICAO standards.

Mike also advises aviation investors, including banks, consulting firms, and private equity funds, on compliance with U.S. aviation regulations and issues concerning mergers and acquisitions, citizenship, licensing, and certification.

Aviation Security/TSA Compliance

Mike advises airlines, airports, aviation security vendors, indirect air carriers, authorized representatives, and other entities directly and indirectly regulated by TSA on compliance with TSA’s regulations and specific TSA programs, such as TSA’s Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP), Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Indirect Air Carrier Standard Security Program (IACSSP), Foreign Air Carrier Model Security Program (MSP), Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), and Certified Cargo Screening Program – Canine (CCSP-K9). He regularly counsels clients on TSA’s administrative investigations and civil enforcement actions, and has successfully mitigated proposed TSA civil penalties.

As part of his TSA compliance work, Mike has conducted detailed reviews of client TSA programs and participated in on-site client audits to identify potential compliance concerns and improve clients’ TSA compliance posture. He advocates for a practical common sense approach that balances business considerations with regulatory compliance.

Mike also maintains an active pro bono practice, and was honored to be among the Top 50 Cozen O’Connor pro bono participants in 2023. As a dedicated “AvGeek,” he particularly enjoys counseling the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the only congressionally chartered aviation hall of fame in the United States, on a range of issues.

Mike has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by The Legal 500 United States for “Transport: Aviation and Air Travel” and has been named to Best Lawyers in America’s “Ones to Watch” category, which recognizes attorneys for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. He is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Air and Space Law, and currently serves as co-chair of the Forum’s Young Lawyers Division.

Before entering private practice, Mike worked in the FAA’s Office of the General Counsel and as a DOT Honors Attorney, where he completed rotations with the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Mike earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, and his bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Experience

News

Cozen O’Connor Assists Alaska Airlines in $1.9 Billion Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines

October 02, 2024

Cozen O'Connor advised Alaska Airlines in connection with its recent $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Legal 500 Recognizes Seven Cozen O’Connor Practice Areas and 16 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its 2024 Legal Guide

July 10, 2024

The Legal 500 United States named Cozen O’Connor’s Aviation, Construction, Immigration, Insurance, Maritime, and Mergers & Acquisitions practices and Cozen O’Connor attorneys Scott Bettridge, Raymond DeLuca, Michael Deutsch, Geoffrey Ferrer, Bruce Ficken, Jonathon Foglia, David Heffernan, Matthew Howell, James Kwartnik, Robert Magovern, Jeffrey Mullen, Patrick Rizzi, Rachel Schwartz, Josh Stein, Jeff Vogel, and Rachel Welford to its 2024 Legal Guide.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Legal 500 Recognizes Six Cozen O’Connor Practice Areas and 16 Attorneys in its 2023 Guide

July 10, 2023

Cozen O'Connor's Aviation (Litigation/Regulation), Construction, L&E, M&A (Midmarket), Shipping (Finance and Litigation/Regulation) practices were ranked by the Legal 500.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Publications

DOT Proposes Consequential Changes to Air Carrier Disability Accessibility Regulations [Alert]

March 05, 2024

Jonathon Foglia and Michael Deutsch discuss the U.S. Department of Transportation's proposed changes to regulations, which would enact penalties for wheelchair mishandling, ensure safe, dignified, and prompt assistance, and improve accessibility standards for disabled passengers.

DOT Issues Rule on Aircraft Lavatory Accessibility for Passengers with Disabilities [Alert]

July 28, 2023

Jonathon Foglia, Michael Deutsch, and Rachel Schwartz discuss the DOT's new rule requiring lavatories on most single-aisle commercial aircraft operated to, from, or within the United States to be more accessible for passengers with disabilities.

Unintended Consequences: Why the Biden Administration’s Proposed Aviation Consumer Protection Initiatives Will Worsen the Air Travel Environment [The Air & Space Lawyer]

July 27, 2023

Michael Deutsch discusses the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) new proposed aviation consumer protection regulations in The Air & Space Lawyer.

CBP Proposes Changes to APIS System to Strengthen Aviation Security [Alert]

February 21, 2023

CBP looks to strengthen security by enhancing information that commercial aircraft operators must electronically transmit to CBP through its APIS.

House Passes Bill to Create NOTAM Task Force After Significant System Failure [Alert]

January 27, 2023

The task force will study how to improve the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions system after its failure caused a nationwide ground stop earlier this month.

FAA Declines to Extend COVID-19 Relief at U.S. Slot-Controlled and IATA Level 2 U.S. Airports [Alert]

November 02, 2022

The FAA will not extend its COVID-19 related relief policy for U.S. slot-controlled & FAA-designated International Air Transport Association Level 2 airports.

FAA Modifies International Aviation Safety Assessment Program [Alert]

October 03, 2022

The FAA announced several key changes to its International Aviation Safety Assessment program.

Barriers to Entry: FAA Proposes Flight deck Physical Secondary Barriers [Alert]

August 15, 2022

The FAA proposes rule to require new aircraft be outfitted with installed physical secondary barriers to further protect the flight deck from intrusion.

DOT Issues Proposed Rule on Airline Ticket Refunds [Alert]

August 08, 2022

The Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, titled Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections.

DOT Issues Bill of Rights for Airline Passengers with Disabilities; New Airline Family Seating Notice [Alert]

July 12, 2022

The U.S. DOT has published a Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights which describes the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities.

Airlines Applaud Lifting of COVID Testing Requirement for U.S. Arrivals [Alert]

June 23, 2022

The CDC rescinded the COVID-19 testing requirement for U.S. arriving passengers on June 15. Airlines for America welcomed the CDC's decision.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Industry Sectors

Education

  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2016
  • Georgetown University, B.A., cum laude, 2013

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" 2023-2025

The Legal 500 United States "Rising Star" for Transport: Aviation and Air Travel 2023, 2024

Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2023

  • District of Columbia
  • Florida

American Bar Association Forum on Air and Space Law, Co-Young Lawyer Liaison

Member, International Aviation Club