Aerospace & Aviation

Our attorneys represent established and pioneering companies across the aerospace and aviation industry, including manufacturers of aircraft and related products and components; airlines and charter operators; airport and fixed-base facility operators; owners of private aircraft; research and development companies; and lenders. Our esteemed clients range from large, multinational corporations to small, entrepreneurial companies to public and private investors helping commercialize products and services around Space 2.0.

With offices in commercial centers across the United States and attorneys located in key industry hubs in Texas, Alabama, and Florida — home to many of the nation’s leading aerospace and aviation companies — we are positioned to provide valuable, end-to-end counsel on a broad range of legal issues facing these companies and the industry as a whole.

 Highly coordinated, multidisciplinary legal counsel

The Jones Walker industry sector team regularly advises clients on all aspects of:

• Aircraft acquisitions, sales, leases, and financings
• Bankruptcies, restructurings, and workouts
• Construction contracts
• Corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures
• Economic development opportunities and tax credits
• Government contracts
• Import and export management
• Insurance coverage and underwriting
• Labor and employment
• Litigation and aerospace supply chains
• Product liability
• Real estate
• Regulatory compliance

We provide broad-based regulatory counsel on federal and state laws and regulations such as the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act and other legislative initiatives that support, incentivize, and regulate scientific research and technology applications.

Guidance throughout the lifespan of your aircraft — and your company

Our corporate and finance teams have handled scores of US domestic and international acquisitions and leases of whole, partial, and fractional interests in fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. We have assisted aircraft owners with the regulatory requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) parts 91 and 135. And Jones Walker has represented borrowers and lenders in the negotiation and documentation of a broad range of loans, credit lines, and other financing options associated with the acquisition of aircraft, facilities, and other assets.

At the far end of the finance life cycle, our bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys have represented secured lenders in restructurings, workouts, and related matters involving a majority of the 10 largest US-based airlines. We have brought indispensable know-how to the table concerning a range of mixed collateral, such as jets and airplanes, spare parts and rotables, rights to gates, and related property interests.

When disputes arise, our experienced litigators support and inspire our clients, whether in negotiating settlements, pursuing resolution through arbitration, or arguing matters at trial and in appeals. Among other domestic and cross-border cases, we have represented clients in disputes involving:

• Air Carrier Access Act
• Aircraft deliveries
• Manufacturing support, disruption, and delay claims
• Facilities and construction claims
• Cargo delays
• Product liability
• Property damage

Our attorneys have an extensive history of helping commercial airlines, manufacturers, utilities, aircraft maintenance companies, insurers, and related businesses respond to and address litigation arising from airplane crashes and accidents. We also represent clients in investigations and enforcement matters involving FARs, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident investigations, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate enforcement actions.