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Transportation
Aviation Law
When it comes to aviation law, Thompson Coburn LLP (Thompson Coburn) covers
the entire radar screen. We have the resources and experience to guide you through
a full range of transactional, financial, tax, environmental, regulatory, appellate
and litigation matters. Our aviation legal team includes a former Assistant General Counsel
for International Law at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
We stay abreast of trends and issues impacting the air transportation
industry, as well as corporate aviation, so we can provide you with a high level
of support under constantly changing conditions.
From our offices in Washington, D.C., St. Louis and Southern
Illinois, our aviation attorneys:
- Advance client interests in matters
before the International Civil Aviation Organization, Department
of Transportation, FAA and National Transportation Safety
Board, including the interests of trade associations, carriers, major
airports, corporations and individuals.
- Provide counsel on international aviation law,
including liability under the Warsaw and Montreal conventions.
- Handle regulatory and other administrative matters
before the Department of Transportation for the cargo and passenger
air carrier industry and represent small operators in FAA
enforcement actions.
- Counsel companies and individuals in a/c
purchase, leasing registration, fractional ownerships and startup
certification.
- Monitor federal legislation affecting the air transportation industry and
represent client interest in such legislation.
Transactional
We are experienced in drafting and negotiating all
forms of aviation transactions, including representing aircraft owners and
operators in connection with wet and dry leases, and the purchase and sale of fractional
interests in aircraft. Our regulatory experience enables us to structure transactions
to achieve client objectives.
Aviation Finance
Thompson Coburn represents clients in the aviation industry
who have bought and sold aircraft, both new and used. Our attorneys have represented
both lenders and operators in connection with the acquisition financing drafting
and negotiating direct loans and financing leases. We have structured like-kind
exchanges under Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. We have handled
the export of destroyed aircraft and have devised ways to minimize or avoid
the sales and use tax on acquisitions. We have handled acquisitions of fractional
ownership interests in corporate aircraft for Fortune 500 and other companies.
Tax
Our firm assists clients in evaluating the taxes
that affect their aviation businesses. We recommend approaches that help minimize
the tax consequences of businesses transporting cargo or passengers by air.
Thompson Coburn attorneys have assisted with the negotiation of multiple international
tax treaties and reciprocal tax agreements affecting the industry.
Environmental
Thompson Coburn attorneys are experienced in dealing
with the multitude of environmental issues affecting the aviation industry.
As counsel to the ATA, our firm has represented the airline industry with regards
to the regulation of both aircraft noise and emissions from aircraft operations
in the United States and worldwide.
Regulatory
Thompson Coburn represents aviation clients before both
the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation on
safety, licensing and economic matters. In addition, practice chair Warren Dean held a senior
position within the U.S. Department of Transportation
regarding these issues.
Litigation
The aviation group regularly represents air carriers
before federal courts, including both the Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme
Court.
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