Aviation

Jackson Walker’s aviation attorneys have experience in handling a diverse range of aviation litigation matters. Jackson Walker’s aviation litigation group is recognized for their success and experience in representing clients in all types of litigation from a straightforward negligence or commercial claim to a complex and high profile lawsuit.

Clients utilize the extensive experience of the attorneys in the aviation litigation group to effectively and efficiently advise and represent them. Jackson Walker’s aviation attorneys have successfully handled all forms of aviation matters throughout the United States and have served as lead counsel in complex multistate litigation and class action matters.

Attorneys of the aviation litigation group are recognized by numerous organizations for their experience and service in representing clients, including: Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers USA Transportation: Aviation Litigation, “Super Lawyers,” The Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers, and Who’s Who Legal.

The Jackson Walker aviation litigation group attorneys are known for their solid combination of legal judgment, work ethic and real world experience. A number of attorneys in the group have experience as fixed-wing and helicopter pilots (both civil and military). Attorneys from the group are frequently invited to speak at industry and legal conferences on aviation related matters. In addition, many of our attorneys serve in leadership roles in aviation related legal and trade organizations.

  • American Eurocopter Corporation v. CJ Systems Aviation Group (Tex. App. – Dallas 2014) Appellate counsel for CJ Systems in a contractual indemnity suit brought by Eurocopter. The Dallas Court of Appeals decided all issues in favor of CJ Systems, and the Texas  Supreme Court denied Eurocopter’s Petition for Review.
  • Bombardier Aerospace Corporation v. Peter A. Halmos and PAH. Co., Dallas County, Texas.  Successfully represented Bombardier’s aircraft fractional interest program in commercial dispute with Learjet fractional owner. After two week jury trial obtained a favorable verdict and title to the fractional interest in the Learjet.
  • Pfeiffer v. Northwest Airlines, (W.D. Tex.). Obtained summary judgment for NWA based on the Air Carrier Access Act.
  • Propair v. Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated, Montreal, Quebec Canada. Successful defense of manufacturer and type certificate holder in numerous wrongful death and hull claims arising from commuter crash near Montreal.
  • Ragnell v. Town of Addison. Obtained summary judgment in favor of client, airport owner, in challenge to validity of Operating Agreement at Addison Airport.
  • Laird Doctor and Linda Doctor v. Howard Purdue and Experimental Aircraft Association, Harris County, Texas, 178 S.W.3d 355, Tex. App. [1st Dist.] (2005). Represented Experimental Aircraft Association in case in which plaintiff was rendered quadriplegic as a result of an air show accident. After a favorable jury verdict, plaintiffs appealed and the case was reversed and remanded for new trial. Before the case was retried, settlement was reached.
  • Dalrymple v. Fairchild Aircraft Inc. (S.D. Tex.). Won summary judgment for aircraft manufacturer in wrongful death action arising from crash in Mediterranean Sea.
  • Saldana v. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, et al. (S.D. Tex.) Obtained summary judgment for Sikorsky based on the government contractor defense.
  • Counsel for aviation insurer for the aircraft Joseph Stack flew into the IRS building in Austin, Texas, on February 18, 2012.  Successfully resolved all claims asserted against the aviation policy related to the incident.
  • Coverage counsel for one of the aviation insurers that insured the aircraft that carried passenger Lauren Scruggs, a fashion model and blogger, who walked into a running propeller on December 3, 2011.
  • Successfully represented an air cargo ground handling company and trucking company in a multi-million dollar cargo damage claim brought in state court by obtaining a court order that the Montreal Convention applied to Plaintiff’s claims, which resulted in a recovery of less than 7% of the damages sought by Plaintiff.
  • Obtained a seven-figure settlement for an aviation insurer in a subrogation action arising from damage to a commercial airline engine.

January 19, 2024
Attorney News

Brad Brown and Katherine Staton Receive Board Certification in Aviation Law; Christopher Thompson in Insurance Law

Jackson Walker proudly congratulates Dallas attorneys Brad Brown, Katherine A. Staton, and Christopher A. Thompson for obtaining Board Certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS). Brad and Katherine are now Board Certified in Aviation Law, and Chris is Board Certified in Insurance Law. This marks the first year that attorneys can obtain certification in these areas.

2024 Best Law Firms announcement

November 2, 2023
Spotlight

Jackson Walker Earns 25 National and 134 Metro Rankings in 2024 Edition of “Best Law Firms”

Jackson Walker proudly announces the firm’s inclusion in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms® by Best Lawyers. This year, Jackson Walker observed notable improvements in the national rankings, including the rise of Appellate Practice to Tier 1, Banking and Finance Law and Litigation – Labor and Employment to Tier 2, and the addition of Energy Law and Environmental Law in Tier 3.

2023 Chambers ranked attorneys from Jackson Walker

June 1, 2023
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 51 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.

Justin Lee

November 11, 2022
Spotlight

Justin Lee, An Enduring Legacy of Service

In honor of Veterans Day, Justin V. Lee shared his story as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Pakistan and Afghanistan and his continued commitment to service.

November 3, 2022
Spotlight

Jackson Walker Earns 24 National and 121 Regional “Best Law Firms” Rankings in 2023 Edition

Jackson Walker proudly announces the Firm’s inclusion in the 2023 edition of the U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list. This year, our firm improved in the national rankings, with the rise of Appellate Practice and Corporate Law to Tier 2.

Chambers USA 2022 guide attorneys

June 1, 2022
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2022 USA and Global Guides

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 48 attorneys and 16 departments for inclusion in the 2022 edition of the Global and USA guides.

Fort Worth

August 25, 2021
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Congratulates the Fort Worth Attorneys Named to the “Top Attorneys 2021” List in ‘360 West Magazine’

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 15 Fort Worth-based attorneys to 360 West Magazine’s “Top Attorneys” list for 2021. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area can nominate up to three attorneys in 44 specialty areas who reflect relevant practice areas in the region.

August 19, 2021
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

More Aviation News

Attorneys frequently handle litigation matters for clients involving:

  • Airlines
  • Products liability
  • Premises liability
  • Personal injury
  • Wrongful death
  • Cargo damage
  • Contract disputes
  • Government contracts
  • Commercial aviation accidents (fixed-wing and helicopter)
  • General aviation accidents (fixed-wing and helicopter)
  • Military accidents (fixed-wing and helicopter)
  • Insurance coverage
  • Business torts
  • Mass torts
  • Toxic torts
  • Airport disputes
  • Deceptive trade practices
  • Class actions
  • Multidistrict litigation
  • Subrogation