The Aviation Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner is comprised of attorneys with extensive experience and knowledge of the issues facing the aviation industry.

WHAT WE DO

The Aviation Law team helps aviation industry companies by:

  • Investigating accidents and incidents involving aircraft and aviation products pre-suit for assessment of liability exposure and strategic defense planning;
  • Handling insurance and workers’ compensation claims involving commercial, charter, and general aviation aircraft accidents and incidents, premises liability, as well as aviation insurance coverage litigation;
  • Representing clients in all phases of litigation, including resolution of matters in settlement negotiations or mediated settlement conferences;
  • Protecting your interests in aviation lawsuits at trial in the State and Federal courts, as well as aviation arbitrations and appeals;
  • Providing legal advice as part of our representation of major air carriers, manufacturers, Part 135 operators, general aviation pilots, Fixed Base Operators, airports, aircraft owners and mechanics, and other airport vendors;
  • Handling cases involving aviation products liability for manufacturing, technology and service companies that support the aviation industry;
  • Handling aviation matters involving breach of contract, breach of warranties and related contractual claims;
  • Protecting aviation and drone company’s trademarks and intellectual property rights;
  • Analyzing global trade issues for aircraft and aircraft parts manufactures and distributors, including review and assistance with development of company policies on U.S customs and export regulations, including ITAR, EAR and OFAC compliance;
  • Preparing and reviewing aviation contracts for companies with global business partners, including international supplier and/or distributor agreements, commercial contracts, commercial invoices, non-disclosure agreements;
  • Counseling on international dispute resolution mechanisms, including international arbitration clauses, choice of law provisions and venue selection for companies in the aviation industry;
  • Representing pilots, mechanics, and schools in FAA enforcement and civil penalty actions.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Members of our Aviation Law team belong to several aviation organizations including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Legal Service Plan Attorneys, Aviation Insurance Association (AIA), International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA), International Air & Transportation Safety Bar Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Organization of Flying Adjusters, and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

The Aviation Law team has experience in litigation in several states involving aviation accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage, as well as providing analysis of issues involving aviation expert witness challenges, aircraft valuation and damages. Our attorneys regularly speak on aviation industry specific issues including Drone law, international commercial disputes in aviation, and IP and liability issues facing aviation and drone businesses.

Attorney Russell Racine has assisted aviation industry clients with obtaining, protecting, and enforcing intellectual property rights including patents and trademark registrations at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and internationally through the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Our IP Practice Group is also familiar with EU regulations and has handled patent applications for international protection.

Additionally, Partner Mica Worthy is also a Certified Global Business Professional licensed by NASBITE® to advise on international business issues. As a graduate of the Cologne Academy on International Commercial Arbitration and former adjunct professor of International Commercial Arbitration at the Charlotte School of Law, she also provides in-depth experience and knowledge on the issues facing clients with global operations in the aviation industry. She has also handled products liability and breach of contract issues involving international sales law.

For more information on our Aviation Law Practice, please contact Mica Worthy.


Most Recent Posts

  News

CSH Law Attorneys Present to SMU Air Law Symposium

takeoff plane in airport

Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy presented on “Preserving Evidence and Your Ethics in the Age of Snapchat” at the 55th Annual SMU Air Law Symposium on March 25, 2021. The program was hosted virtually this year by SMU and with almost 200 attendees.… Read More

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Can their expert say that?

takeoff plane in airport

What information aviation experts should be allowed to rely upon in formulating opinions for trial In a previous article, we… Read More

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Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy Present at AIA Annual Conference

Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy were featured presenters at the 2019 Aviation Insurance Association Conference in Asheville. On May 3, Susan and Mica presented a session entitled “Handling Spoliation of Evidence Issues in Aviation Cases.” Their presentation was part of the conference’s Continuing Legal Education sessions.… Read More

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Aviation April 2018

The Cranfill Sumner Aviation Practice Group experienced “Aviation April” this year. We started off the month at the SMU Air… Read More

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Susan Hofer to Discuss Drones on Carolina Business Review Episode

Susan Hofer | Aviation Law Attorney Charlotte

Susan Hofer, the Chair of the Aviation Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, will appear on an upcoming episode of the Carolina Business Review which premieres April 14. Susan participated in a panel discussion about drone aircraft (UAS) and the legislation and privacy concerns surrounding them.… Read More

  News

Susan Hofer Discusses Drone Aircraft

Keyboard with an "information" button instead of "enter" button

Susan Hofer, Chair of the Aviation Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, recently spoke at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Aviation Committee Meeting. On March 7, Susan provided a summary on development of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), also known as drones. … Read More

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Susan Hofer to Speak at Campbell Law Review Symposium

law

Susan Hofer, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, will serve as a panel moderator at the 2017 Campbell Law Review Symposium. The event which will be held Feb. 2-3, is entitled “Flying Above the Law: Legal Issues Surrounding the Domestic Use of Drone.” … Read More

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Susan Hofer Receives Remote Pilot Certification for Drone (sUAS) Operations

takeoff plane in airport

Susan Hofer, chair of the Aviation Law Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently issued a Remote Pilot Certificate with rating for Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The certificate authorizes Susan to oversee commercial operations of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, also known as drones.… Read More

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Cranfill Sumner Sponsors OFA Meeting

Aviation adjuster

Cranfill Sumner sponsors the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Organization of Flying Adjusters (OFA) in Baton Rouge, La. Susan Hofer, Chair of the Aviation Litigation Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner, is a licensed pilot and member of IAWA.… Read More