Transportation: Aviation: Regulatory: Nationwide

THE FIRM Crowell & Moring has an impressive practice acting for a host of airlines and important aviation associations. The team has extensive experience handling complex regulatory matters, including appearing regularly before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). The team continues to act on matters arising at the vanguard of aviation law and recently acted for both United Air Lines and Continental Airlines before the DOT on issues arising out of their high profile merger.

Client Service "We have the kind of relationship where they are available right away and they are in contact when we need them."

Commercial Awareness  "They have several attorneys who have spent a career working in aviation which is a huge asset, and a couple who have worked in government and so they are familiar with the processes. They are also involved in aviation litigation on the airline side which provides a helpful perspective."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Cochair of the firm's aviation group, Lorraine Halloway is described as "smart and practical" with one client saying: "If we phone with a problem, she will think about it and come back with a reasoned argument which has a very good understanding of our business." She has been representing numerous aviation clients before the DOT, including on issues surrounding the Enhancing of Airline Passenger Protections II.

Bruce Keiner is known as a "terrific lawyer with a great practice." He continues to cochair the aviation group and provides advice to a wide range of clients, including United Airlines and Continental Airlines.

Gerald Murphy is building an excellent reputation in this area. He is often sought out to provide high-level advice and played a key role in the United Air Lines and Continental Airlines merger. One impressed client said: "Gerald understands our business, understands our needs, and is responsive, careful, thorough and caring."

THE FIRM Hogan Lovells remains one of the most respected players in this field and regularly provides advice to the likes of Air France and Air Jamaica on issues before the DOT. The team enjoys an unusually broad practice, representing not just airlines but also manufacturers and airports. Hogan Lovells's international network of offices also provides the team with an advantage.

Commercial Awareness "Their ability to take legal concepts and apply them to practical solutions is very good."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Cohn is described as "clearly high quality," with sources finding particular value in his great depth of experience. Among other matters, he has been advising CHC Helicopter on its acquisition of new helicopters.

Tazewell Ellett acts for a diverse client base including aircraft, airlines, manufacturers and state and local governments, and is described by sources as "terrific: a gentlemen, a very smart lawyer and someone who can really move big issues along."

Founder of the firm's aviation practice, George Carneal continues to play a key role at the firm and advises a wide range of clients, including Aero Maintenance and The Government of the Bahamas on complex aviation issues.

THE FIRM This firm has built an impressive practice by developing long-term relationships with a number of top-tier clients, including Lufthansa, United Airlines and Emirates. It has recently been busy advising numerous airlines on the implications of new “passenger protection” regulations. It also handles a wide range of regulatory matters for clients ranging from aircraft manufacturers to suppliers of aircraft equipment.

Client Service "The Wilmer group is a well oiled machine. It provides a very professional and focused service at reasonable rates."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head David Heffernan is highly rated by both peers and clients. He "is quick to grasp complex problems and offer innovative solutions," according to sources, and clients find that he offers "professional, expedient and practical handling of issues." He has been assisting Emirates in proceedings brought by the U.S. DOT relating to baggage handling and policies.

THE FIRM Holland & Knight handles regulatory issues before all the relevant agencies for a diverse range of clients and accordingly has extensive experience in this arena. It has had a successful year acting for clients including UPS, which engaged the firm as its lead DOT regulatory counsel. The esteem with which the team is held is reflected in the long-term relationships it forges with key clients such as Air Canada. The firm is also noted for its excellent work for foreign airlines.

Commercial Awareness "They understand the legal and regulatory side but also how that works hand-in-hand with the commercial aspects. That's why we engage them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anita Mosner takes the lead on numerous important regulatory issues for the firm. In the past year, she has been assisting Air Canada in its effort to secure approval for its US-Canada joint venture with United Continental. "She's very responsive, efficient and she has a mind for both the business and the law," asserts one client. 

THE FIRM This aviation team handles the full spectrum of regulatory issues and has a diverse client base which includes a range of major players, from airports and airlines to manufacturers and municipalities. The team remains outward looking with major clients scattered across the globe. It frequently advises Trans States Airlines, GoJet Airlines and Compass Airlines on a wide variety of regulatory and enforcement issues.

Client Service "The advice is thoughtful, balanced and presented in clear and concise language; they put it in a way regular people can understand."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group chair Kenneth Quinn's "negotiation style is remarkable: he is tough but in a way which maintains and builds relationships." His client skills were also praised, with one saying: "He definitely has his clients' interests at heart; it's a competitive world but you feel like you're his only client."

Jennifer Trock is a "superb lawyer" who is described as "extremely smart, hardworking and thoughtful." She has a broad practice, representing numerous airports and airlines, and aerospace companies such as Evergreen International Airlines.

THE FIRM This highly respected group of aviation lawyers continues to provide a wide range of advice on complex regulatory issues. The team is known for advising on issues involving the DOT and DOJ, and Homeland Security and State Departments, and it has also been active advising on safety compliance measures before the FAA.

Sources say: "The team as a whole is well respected and deservedly so." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Marshall Sinick is a "seasoned guy: smart, able and he knows the business." He has experience representing clients before a wide range of bodies including the DOT and FAA.

"Aggressive and intelligent lawyer" Charles Donley has a practice which covers both US and non-US airlines as well as a range of other institutional clients. He wins particular praise for his expertise on technical issues

THE FIRM This highly-rated aviation boutique is located in Washington and its four-member team handles a wide range of aviation issues for a variety of important clients. It has extensive experience handling matters within the jurisdiction of both the FAA and the DOT.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gary Garofalo is a "very smart and hardworking" attorney who has a deep knowledge of the aviation business. Although he has a broad range of clients, market sources were particularly impressed with Garofalo's expert representation of foreign airlines.

Don Hainbach is similarly known for his representation of foreign airlines and focuses generally on international aviation issues. He is a "practical and down to earth" attorney who is widely known and respected in the field.

THE FIRM Jones Day is known for its wide-ranging experience with issues involving environmental regulations and is used to handling challenges to decisions made under the Administrative Procedure Act. The team also has a deep knowledge of FAA regulations. The firm's global network is cited by clients as a major advantage.

Commercial Awareness "The team is very bright and they think creatively. They do a good job of marrying complex analysis with practical advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Associate Naveen Rao is an "excellent lawyer with a great future." He ticks a number of boxes for clients, who also describe him as a "very smart guy who is very responsive - he also understands aviation backwards and forwards both here and abroad."

Since publication, Naveen C Rao has left this practice.

THE FIRM While this firm does not boast the largest team, or the most offices, it is renowned for providing high-quality advice. The group advises on the full spectrum of aviation regulatory issues, from environmental regulations to licensing issues, before the DOT.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rachel Trinder "inspires devotion and loyalty" in her clients, say market sources who also describe her as "very energetic and focused on client service." She has represented a wide range of clients before many government agencies including the DOT and FAA.