Editorial: Aviation in Georgia

01 April 2007

According to our findings, Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP boasts the most significant commercial aviation practice in the state. Notable matters include acting as debtor’s counsel to the national airline of Colombia, Avianca, in its bankruptcy. Other clients include AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines and the Ohio-based low-cost airline, SkyBus, which began operations in early 2007. Howard Turner heads the firm’s aviation law practice and “certainly knows his stuff” according to one prominent source. Turner is said to offer “sound advice to lessors and airlines” and also has a strong practice representing financiers and aircraft parts manufacturers. Turner’s practice spans the US, Latin America and Europe. 

Smith Gambrell has a brace of lawyers who, prior to joining the firm, worked for Delta Air Lines. Donald Mitchell, who served as general manager, aircraft acquisition and sales, was noted for his work on behalf of lessors and owners. Mitchell documented the leases for more than 20 aircraft and represented Frontier Airlines in the acquisition of Q400 turboprop aircraft from Bombardier. Paul Zampol served as assistant general counsel with Delta and during his 26-year tenure with the airline worked on its restructuring and bankruptcy, aircraft leases and financings, various acquisitions and the negotiation and documentation of purchase agreements. Zampol was praised as “one of the very best” for aircraft acquisition and long-term maintenance agreements. 

One source praised Thomas Stalzer as “the go-to guy for corporate aircraft matters”. Over the years he has worked on contract preparation and negotiations as well as FAA regulatory advice and compliance. As a former lawyer for the IRS, Stalzer’s tax acumen was also noted – he offers federal, state and local tax advice. Completing Smith Gambrell’s unparalleled showing in the chapter is Peter Barlow, who worked alongside Turner on AirTran’s 100-plus aircraft order from Boeing, one of the largest aircraft orders of 2003. With some of the practice area’s leading lights and unrivalled strength-in-depth, Smith Gambrell ranks at the head of the research. 

Based on the number of recommendations received, however, Robert Strauss of Troutman Sanders LLP emerges as Georgia’s leading practitioner. Variously described as “fantastic” and “exceptionally good” he is said to be “outstanding for both leasing and finance related work”. Strauss is representing an airline in its pending campaign for the acquisition and financing of new freighter aircraft and related maintenance contracts. He also represented a leading provider of global air cargo services in its $7 billion-plus purchase and financing of new Boeing 747-8 aircraft. Shawn Rafferty worked together with Strauss on the aforementioned deals. In addition to these, Rafferty also represented a commercial airline in a complex commercial arbitration with an engine service provider. He is said to be “excellent for operational matters”. The firm rates highly with our sources, one of whom commented: “both Rafferty and Strauss bring a great deal of experience to the table”. 

David Armitage of Powell Goldstein LLP sits on the firm’s executive committee and his aviation practice encompasses the representation of financial institutions, individuals and other business entities in matters such as the sale and purchase of large commercial and corporate aircraft. As previously mentioned, the following chapter can be split along the lines of those engaged in the transactional side of the industry and those with a practice focused on contentious and products liability matters. Nigel Wright joined Chicago firm Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP in March 2004 and has strong links to the London market, having previously worked at Beaumont & Son and DLA Piper LLP. Rated as “excellent for international aviation liability” he works for London insurers and regional operators. Wright’s work also covers the Latin American and Caribbean markets. Over the years he has acted for insurers in a number of fatal accidents such as the Atlantic Airlines loss in Guatemala and the Tans loss in Peru. Other significant matters include representing a major flag carrier regarding a $30 million contractual dispute relating to its outsourced maintenance programme. 

James Strawinski of Strawinski & Stout PC comes recommended for his representation of defendants in aviation litigation. Representative clients include AIG Aviation, Delta Air Lines and Federal Express. Thomas Strueber of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP is another of Georgia’s high-flyers. As a former pilot and mechanic Strueber is “extremely well known in the industry”; he also served as director of the aviation insurance association and as vicechairman of the aviation litigation committee of the torts and insurance practice section of the ABA. He comes highly recommended for his work on contract disputes, product liability, insurance coverage and lawsuits arising from accidents in the aviation industry. Arthur Mozley, one of the founding members of Mozley Finlayson and Loggins LLP, was recommended for complex litigation and products liability work. He has acted for a number of major aviation manufacturers and carriers on such matters.

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