Specialist aviation law firm Condon & Forsyth LLP remains a strong choice, frequently engaged in high-profile airline mass accident defense, emergency response and crisis management, NTSB investigations, and wider disaster litigations in the aviation sector. The group has extensive experience handling a wide variety of litigation mandates, including wrongful death, personal injury, and cargo claims. Based in New York, Christopher Christensen is highly regarded for his work in major commercial accident litigation. Bartholomew Banino, also in New York, is a seasoned litigator with expertise in the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions, as well as other multilateral treaties governing aviation law. For litigation matters involving commercial transactions, New York-based Anthony Battista is a key contact; likewise, Mary Dow is a key contact for the enforcement of European Union regulations in the United States. David Harrington and Allison Surcouf are well-placed to handle an array of wrongful death and personal injury matters. Leading the practice alongside Christensen and Banino, John Maggio, based in Miami, is well-versed in commercial and product liability litigation and has appeared before the U.S. Court of Appeals, as well as conducting trials in New York, California, Texas, and Florida.

With particular strength advising on drone matters, the team at Hogan Lovells US LLP remains active, handling a range of contractual, regulatory, and FAA mandates. In Washington DC, Lisa Ellman is widely regarded as an industry leader in the unmanned aircraft industry, where she has worked on multiple infrastructure inspections, FAA regulatory approvals, and wider policy issue matters. Ellman co-heads the team with Arjun Garg, also based in Washington, DC, who is well-placed to handle a range of regulatory matters, with recent highlights including advising on the regulatory aspects of high-value mergers and acquisitions and on the FAA’s commercial space licensing process. Working alongside them is Matthew Clark, who frequently represents clients before the DOT, FAA, and other federal agencies. Clark is also active in advising on a range of internal investigations and regulatory due diligence in whistleblower investigations for clients in the aviation sector. Liz Forro joined the team in January 2025 from the FAA’s UAS Integration Office and Office of Rulemaking, advising on a range of policy matters. Earl Adams Jr left the firm in December 2024.

The aviation litigation and regulation team at Holland & Knight continues to stand out for its extensive experience in handling large-scale crash investigations, as well as its broader expertise in managing high-profile, contentious matters. Beyond this, the group is well-placed to handle a broad range of regulatory issues, including licensing issues, compliance, and competition analysis. Based in New York, Christopher Kelly is recognized for his expertise in defending mass-tort and commercial claims, as well as his broader experience in product liability and environmental litigation. In Washington, D.C., Anita Mosner is well-versed in handling a range of regulatory and compliance mandates, including defending enforcement actions in front of a range of Federal agencies. Kelly and Monsner lead the team alongside Steven Raffaele, who excels at a range of personal injury, passenger rights, and wrongful death matters. For National Safety Board accident investigations, Sarah Korapaty in New York is a key contact. Rounding out the team are Benjamin Allen in Washington, D.C., Judy Nemsick in New York, and Ben Slocum in Charlotte.

Advising on a broad array of litigation matters across the domestic and international stage, the team at Arnold & Porter has extensive experience in product liability, class actions, and injury suits. Recent highlights for the group include defending Airbus in a range of personal injury claims as well as challenging flight restrictions in New York federal court. In Houston, Christopher Odell handles the full spectrum of aviation litigation matters, and is particularly well-placed to manage high-profile aviation accidents. He leads the team alongside James Herschlein and Kenneth Chernof. With extensive trial litigation experience, David Weiner in Washington, DC, is highly regarded for his work in class and mass action litigation. For dispositive motions and appeals, Houston-based Amanda Thomsonis a key contact. Rounding out the team in Silicon Valley, Katie Scott is experienced in a range of antitrust and patent issues within the space.

The team at Cozen O'Connor handles a diverse range of aviation regulatory matters, including a range of licensing, consumer protection regulation, competition regulation, and safety regulation mandates. With a full roster of clients, including lending institutions, aviation equipment manufacturers, and public charter operators, the group also appears before executive branch agencies in investigation and enforcement matters. David Heffernan is highly regarded for his work in antitrust immunity proceedings and establishing airline alliances. He leads the team alongside Jonathon Foglia, who has extensive experience advising on matters arising under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s economic regulations. For matters involving uncrewed aircraft systems operators and aerospace manufacturing, Patrick Rizzi is a key contact. Rachel Welford is another notable member of the team, specializing in aviation security law and policy involving U.S. government agencies. Rounding out the team is Michael Deutsch, who advises banks, investors, and PE firms on compliance with U.S. aviation regulations concerning mergers and acquisitions. The team is based in Washington D.C.

Supporting clients in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, the aviation, aerospace, and transportation team at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP continues to provide the full range of regulatory matters. The group is particularly well-placed to manage export licensing, antitrust, and enforcement issues, alongside having experience representing clients on unmanned aircraft system mandates. Handling an array of licensing enforcement, litigation of commercial claims, and marketing agreements, Charles Donley is based in Washington and has appeared before a range of state and federal agencies. Working alongside him in Washington is Laura Jennings Ochoa, who is noted for her experience advising U.S. and foreign airlines. For traffic rights and passenger protection matters, Josh Romanow is a key contact. Rounding out the team in New York is Anne Lefever, who is well-versed in commercial litigation.

The team at Reed Smith LLP is frequently engaged by domestic airlines and manufacturers in a broad array of matters, acting on personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability arbitrations. Princeton’s Patrick Bradley is well placed to advise corporate flight departments on a range of regulatory matters, alongside having extensive experience handling the defense of commercial airlines in passenger claim matters. He leads the team alongside New York-based Oliver Beiersdorf, who, alongside being a seasoned litigator, also counsels on risk management, commercial contracts, and insurance issues. For complex commercial dispute litigation, including catastrophic injury matters, Catherine Kiernan in Princeton is a key contact. In Tysons, Justin deBettencourt is regarded for his experience in representing foreign airlines and product manufacturers. Rounding out the team is Gregory Speier,  based in New York, who is well-versed in product liability litigation.

Boutique aerospace litigation firm Victor Rane PLC remains active, advising manufacturers, domestic airlines, and aviation insurers. Covering a wide spectrum of litigation and regulation matters, the team excels at accident, injury, and commercial litigation in state and federal courts. In New York, Barry Alexander frequently oversees aviation insurers in a broad array of international and domestic insurance matters. Richard Lazenby, based in Los Angeles, routinely advises on personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability mandates. Denny Shupe is a key contact for aircraft component manufacturers and airports, working from Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is home to Robert Williams, a seasoned litigator with extensive experience before the courts across the US. Working on civil rights cases against airlines and broader insurance matters, Washington DC’s Jonathan M. Stern is a notable name. Alexander, Lazenby, Shupe, Stern, and Williams head the team together. Recently promoted to partner, Lee Schmeer, based in Philadelphia, undertakes a range of product liability litigation.

Representing a diverse range of airlines and aviation insurers, the team at Clyde & Co LLP continues to provide a comprehensive aviation law offering. The group is well-versed in an array of contentious and non-contentious matters, including greenwashing, emergency response, and sanctions. The firm also has experience with drone regulatory mandates, alongside expertise in the space and satellite insurance market. Based between San Francisco and Washington DC, team head Kevin Sutherland is highly regarded for his extensive experience in a broad array of aviation matters, including wrongful death, class action, and property damage claims. In New York, Jeffrey Ellis handles insurance, product liability, and appellate matters, consulting with airlines, manufacturers, and industry groups. For complex tort and regulatory matters, New York-based Andrew Harakas is a key contact. Further strengthening the team in New York is  Kenneth Quinn, who has over three decades of experience advising on regulatory matters as well as managing terrorist events.

With particular expertise in accident litigation matters, including fatal air crashes and wrongful death claims, the team at Cooley LLP routinely advises major air carriers and municipal authorities on a diverse range of litigation matters. Spearheading the team from San Diego, William O’Connor, as well as being an experienced pilot, is well-placed to handle ‘bet the company’ matters, alongside being frequently engaged by major aviation manufacturers. O’Connor is also highly experienced in high-profile aviation accident cases, with over twenty years of experience as a litigator. In Washington, Parker Erkmann is regarded for his extensive work in a range of antitrust, competition, and regulatory issues. Recent highlights for Erkmann include representing an airline before the FAA and DOT, as well as counseling a major airline in regulatory issues around transactions.

The aviation team at Greenberg Traurig handles a broad spectrum of litigation and regulatory matters, with a particular focus on managing environmental issues, noise pollution, and representing airlines in aviation fraud investigations. Recent highlights for the group include representing American Airlines against Skiplagged in an IP lawsuit and representing Boulder County in a lawsuit against a sponsor of Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in a noise pollution matter. Jacob Bundick, who splits his time across Las Vegas, Dallas, and Houston, undertakes a range of commercial litigation matters, including product liability and commercial disputes. He leads the team alongside Ed Kammerer, who is frequently engaged by manor corporations, family offices, and corporate executives, and practices out of New York and Boston.

Advising domestic airlines and aviation companies, the team at King & Spalding is well-equipped to handle an array of litigation and regulation matters, including intellectual property disputes, class action suits, international arbitrations, and wider cross-border litigation. Co-leading the team from Washington DC, Stephen Baskin has vast litigation and trial experience, particularly in patent litigation and trade secrets. Leading alongside him is David Balser, based in Atlanta, who undertakes a range of high-stakes contract disputes and professional liability litigation. In Los Angeles, Arwen Johnson is a key contact for a range of class action, partnership disputes, and copyright infringement matters. Also in DC, Dara Kurlanchee specializes in complex patent litigation.

Advising major international and domestic airlines and aviation manufacturers, the team at Kirkland & Ellis LLP handles an array of litigation and regulation matters. The group is well-versed in accident investigations, alongside having extensive experience in undertaking product liability and intellectual property matters. In Washington, Craig Primis is a seasoned litigator with experience acting before the Supreme Court as well as handling matters that involve antitrust, fraud, and class action suits. Working alongside him in Washington is Allison Murphy, who is a key contact for Government and internal investigations. New York’s Claudia Ray specializes in intellectual property matters, and in Washington, Katherine Katz is regarded for her work in product liability and enforcement actions brought by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The aviation team at Nixon Peabody LLP is frequently engaged by manufacturers, domestic airlines, and airports in a broad range of litigation matters. The group has experience in risk management, product integrity, and accident investigations. Leading the team from New York and Long Island, Joseph Ortego, who frequently acts before arbitration tribunals and federal courts. Working alongside him is Vivian Quinn, based in Rochester, who has experience working the full gamut of civil litigation matters. Buffalo’s Erik Goergen is well-placed to manage product liability and wider commercial litigation mandates. For business dispute matters, Tracey Scarpello in Rochester is a key contact.

With particular strength advising domestic airlines, the team at O'Melveny handles a broad range of aviation litigation and regulatory matters. The group is well-versed in aviation employment and labor mandates, including working on union arbitrations, dismissal claims, and discrimination cases. Leading the team from New York, Mark Robertson has extensive experience in litigation and arbitration, being highly regarded for his work advising domestic airlines on matters under the Railway Labor Act. Working alongside in Washington DC is Aparna Joshi, who is well-practiced in representing airlines in federal court litigation as well as wider collective bargaining negotiations in front of national boards. Also in DC, Tristan Morales is a key name for advising and litigating on corporate diversity programs. Rounding out the team is Charles Mahoney in New York.