Going into aviation law...

UIPilot45X

Well-Known Member
Hi...I'm new to this website, actually, this is the first time I have ever posted anything on any discussion board on the internet. I was just wondering if anybody out there had any information on careers related to Aviation Law or becoming an Aviation Lawyer. Specifically the steps you would need to take becoming a lawyer that specialised in Aviation Law or what law schools offer a specialty in that field. I love to fly and fully intend on puruing it as a career, law has always been a big interest of mine. I figure why not kill two birds with one stone? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Pete
 
One of my really close pals that was in my fraternity and came to one of my last parties left flying to practice aviation law and he absolutely loves it.

What part of the country are you in? He's up in the Portland area and maybe he might be a good contact.
 
Heya,


Welcome to the forum's. I'm heading in the same direction as you. The guy you need to talk to on this forum is Ready2Fly. He has a wealth of information on the matter.

Do you have anything more specific you want to ask? I can tell you that Southern Methodist University in Texas offers an aviation law program.

Cheers


John Herreshoff
 
Thanks, I go to school at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. I really dont have any specific questions to ask, just how I would go about becoming an aviation lawyer and all the possible schools I could go too. Is it like in any other law field where you would have to start work at the DA, or in this case, the FAA as one of their lawyers? Or do you just go into a private practice? Are there specific firms that handle aviation law? Is there even a demand for aviation lawyers? Sorry to ask so many questions, I guess I do have some specific questions after all.

Thanks,
Pete
 
Heya,


I can't answer those questions specifically, but R2F should be able to. PM the guy and ask away. He's been an invaluable resource to me in my search for information about law schools.

I guess all I can tell you are things like "Yeah, 175 is a good LSAT score"
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Cheers


John Herreshoff
 
Welcome!

I’ll just second what John said… Definitely talk to Ready2Fly. He is an awesome contributor to the forums and I’m sure he would be more than willing to give you a hand.
 
Seven good responses in 40 minutes.

Man, you guys are awesome!
 
I once wanted to study law. I wanted to study corporate law cause lord knows I need something to fall back on if avaition goes down the tubes.

But made the mistake of making avaition my major Aeronautical Science major duh don't fail me now industry.

Practicing "and do you want to supersize that value meal for just 25 cents more"

Wanted to be a lawyer I tell people in case the industry goes down the tubes but tell everyone that I'm honest so I could never be a lawyer.

Then they tell me yes you can...And that's when I tell them I want to be a "paid" lawyer and thats when there like oh well then you can't.
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Matthew
 
UIPilot:

Ask and ye shall receive.

[ QUOTE ]
I was just wondering if anybody out there had any information on careers related to Aviation Law or becoming an Aviation Lawyer. Specifically the steps you would need to take becoming a lawyer that specialised in Aviation Law or what law schools offer a specialty in that field.

[/ QUOTE ]

John already mentioned one law school which offers a concentration in Aviation Law - Southern Mehtodist University (SMU) in Dallas.

Also, McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

I'm a Paralegal for a small firm in Tampa. Our primary focus is aviation. (however we do represent other huge clients as well for balance).

You do not, however, need to attend SMU or McGill to break into this field - although it wouldn't hurt. The lead Partner in my firm graduated from Auburn undergrad and earned his J.D. at Memphis State.

Our Senior Associate attended Stetson Law School.

Here's the link to My Firm

It can be a rewarding - and eye opening field of law - especially if you fly or are interested in flying. You will see on a daily basis what can and does happen when things go wrong, regs are busted, or God just decides that it's the pilots time.

Please feel free to drop me a PM if you have any specific questions I might be able to answer.

Best of luck!!

R2F
 
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Does anyone know what's the starting salary for an entry aviation lawyer..

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Depends on the market.
 
First, go to law school. Second, get an internship at a firm that specializes in aviation law. Hopefully when you finish school they will hire you as an associate. The internship will provide you with real world experience that you will never learn in law school.
 
One area to look at is a student or associate membership in the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association http://www.lpba.org/ or the NTSB Bar Association http://www.ntsbbar.org/. If you can get there, the LPBA conferences are fun and you can network quite a bit. I know that LPBA has a law student member category, but I'm not that familiar with the inner workings of the NTSB group.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Here's the link to My Firm


[/ QUOTE ] Murray, Marin & Herman.....I knew it!!!! You work for Bill Murray's law firm! You know, the one in Wild Things! How cool is that!
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[ QUOTE ]
You work for Bill Murray's law firm!

[/ QUOTE ]
Funny, funny man.
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It's actually "John"... but, we'll go with Bill.
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