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.
November 12, 2024
Podcasts
Veteran Justin Lee on Lessons Learned from the US Army
JW Fast Takes Podcast | ~6 minutes
In this episode, Justin Lee discusses his military service and the profound impact his service has had on shaping his legal career.
June 6, 2024
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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