Aviation & Transportation

Acclaimed for Aviation.
Equipped for Endless Capabilities.

Recognized nationally and internationally for our experience and insider knowledge of the transportation industries, our attorneys are equipped with immense insight and a practical approach to complex logistical and legal issues.

Aviation & Transportation

FMJ is recognized nationally and internationally for our experience and insider knowledge of the transportation industries. For decades, our attorneys have served as trusted advisors to airlines, trucking, busing, and leasing companies, financial institutions, hedge funds, and investors active in the purchase, sale, financing, and leasing of transportation equipment. In addition, our attorneys have tried highly publicized transportation litigation cases with national importance, including Quill v. Trans World Airlines & Boeing, the landmark TWA #841 rollover case, and Hoeper v. Air Wisconsin, a U.S. Supreme Court case that created security implications for the entire aviation industry.

Our aviation, transportation, and logistics experience spans a variety of sectors including aviation, rail, land shipping, and infrastructure. Our Aviation & Transportation attorneys serve clients in the following areas:

Aviation

  • Aircraft trading and parting out
  • Airline representation
  • Business aviation finance and structuring
  • Cargo conversion
  • Commercial aircraft financing  and leasing
  • Cross-border transactions
  • Emergency response advising
  • Employment matters
  • Full-service International Registry account administration and assistance
  • OEMs and MROs
  • Operating and finance leases
  • Travel law
  • Unmanned aircraft systems

Logistics and Shipping

  • Commercial and operational matters
  • Employment matters
  • Equipment financing and leasing
  • Operating leases
  • Workouts and restructuring

Compliance and Regulatory

  • ADA, Title VII, EEOC, and other employment regulatory matters
  • Antitrust and Foreign Corrupt Practice Act compliance
  • FAA and pilot enforcement actions
  • OFAC and sanctions compliance

Infrastructure

  • Airport minimum standards and other regulatory issues
  • Creditors’ rights and aviation bankruptcies
  • Equipment finance and lease transactions
  • Real estate transactions and land use issues
  • Supplier, purchaser, and vendor contracts

Litigation and Regulatory

  • Aviation insurance defense
  • Commercial disputes
  • Creditors’ rights and bankruptcy
  • Employment and non-compete disputes
  • Labor arbitration and grievances
  • RLA preemption
  • Unfair competition and trade secrets

Rail – Rolling Stock

  • Equipment finance and lease transactions
  • Operating leases
  • Workouts and restructuring

 

With FMJ’s extensive involvement in the transportation industries, our attorneys are equipped with immense insight and a practical approach to complex logistical and legal issues. We are poised and prepared to handle the needs of our clients in the transportation and logistics industries.

Aviation & Transportation Team

Aviation & Transportation Resources

February 2024

Bob Fafinski to Speak at the Family Business Center at the University of St. Thomas

On February 29, 2024, Bob Fafinski will be part of a panel discussion entitled: Structuring Ownership for the Future. The panelists will discuss practical... Read more

January 2024

The Corporate Transparency Act is Here. Is Your Organization Ready? FMJ Law Podcast Episode 16

Pat Shriver analyzes the CTA and its new requirements. Read more

January 2024

Nathan Haynor Elected as Shareholder

Congratulations, Nate! Read more

November 2023

FMJ is Moving to a New Eden Prairie Location in May 2024!

FMJ is moving across town this spring! Read more

October 2023

FMJ Hosts Another Successful FMJ Uncorked Event!

The women of FMJ hosted a very successful FMJ Uncorked event earlier this month. More than 140 women registered for an evening of connection,... Read more

August 2023

14 FMJ Attorneys Named to the 2024 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch Lists!

We are proud to announce that 14 of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 editions of Best Lawyers in America® and Best... Read more

July 2023

FMJ Looks at Aviation and Taxes – Part 3 of 3

How Aircraft Leasing Might Cost You in Unexpected Ways. Read more

July 2023

FMJ Looks at Aviation and Taxes – Part 2 of 3

Stamp Taxes and Other Unexpected Aviation Costs. Read more

July 2023

16 FMJ Attorneys Named to the 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!

We are proud to announce that 16 of our attorneys have been named to the 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists! Congratulations... Read more

July 2023

FMJ Looks at Aviation and Taxes – Part 1 of 3

When Can Businesses Deduct the Costs of Aircraft Operations? Read more

July 2023

FMJ Law Podcast – Episode 1

Welcome to the new FMJ Law Podcast! Click here to listen and learn more. Read more

June 2023

Chambers Selects Kevin Johnson for 2023 Ranking in Aviation and Transportation!

Chambers and Partners has selected Kevin Johnson for Ranking in its 2023 Transportation: Aviation: Finance list! Read more

June 2023

Chambers USA Selects FMJ for 2023 Corporate/M&A Ranking in Minnesota!

We are excited to announce that Chambers and Partners, a leading guide for identifying the top attorneys and law firms, has selected Fafinski Mark... Read more

May 2023

Trusts & Estates Attorney Holly Hankins Joins FMJ!

We are pleased to announce the arrival of Holly Hankins at FMJ! Holly is an Associate Attorney in our Trusts & Estates practice group.... Read more

January 2023

Why We Do It: FMJ’s Commercial Aviation Practice

In a world full of people, only some want to fly Isn’t that crazy? But we’re never gonna survive unless, we get a little... Read more

Other Practice Areas

Agriculture

Agriculture

Our Agriculture group has legal experience in all aspects of agribusiness, including general corporate and transactional matters, farm succession planning, and litigation. Our attorneys also represent many types of cooperatives and independent elevators, including grain, feed, chemical, and fuel.
Appellate

Appellate

Our Appellate group has years of experience in assessing, briefing, and arguing appeals at all levels of courts throughout the United States. We have the ability to synthesize and analyze the record and the law, as well as narrow the case focus to those issues most likely to bring client benefit and appellate success.
Banking & Financial Institutions

Banking & Financial Institutions

Our Banking & Financial Institution team includes lending attorneys, bankruptcy attorneys, corporate attorneys, commercial and special asset attorneys, and attorneys with experience serving on bank loan committees, boards of directors of banks, and bank holding companies.
Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Our Bankruptcy & Insolvency attorneys represent creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy, reorganization, and workouts, and appear in courtrooms across the country. Our philosophy is to actively participate in every phase of the workout and reorganization process.
Competition & Trade

Competition & Trade

We work with clients daily to help them better compete in their marketplace, whether that be local, national, global, or virtual. Our goal is to understand our clients’ businesses and challenges and help them navigate the business and legal obstacles to success.
General Corporate & Business

General Corporate & Business

Our General Corporate & Business group works with organizations of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, across all industries, helping them devise strategies and solve problems. Much of the work we do is contractual – structuring, negotiating, and reviewing contracts.
HR & Employment

HR & Employment

Our HR & Employment attorneys guide our clients through the complexities of employment procedures and policies, employee benefits, hiring and termination practices, and compliance with ever-changing employment laws. We combine our knowledge of the law with specifics of our clients’ businesses to produce optimal outcomes.
Insurance

Insurance

FMJ’s Insurance group represents commercial and nonprofit insurers, as well as serves as outside general counsel to fraternal insurance companies. We advise insurance companies on all aspects of corporate, nonprofit, and insurance law.
Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property

Our Intellectual Property attorneys assist with trademark and copyright registration, compliance and licensing, dispute resolution, and pre-dispute counseling. We also have the technical, business, and legal acumen necessary to provide counsel on various intellectual property matters.
Litigation

Litigation

From local courtrooms to the United States Supreme Court, our Litigation group has a proven track record of obtaining favorable outcomes for our clients in a wide variety of legal disputes. We specialize in commercial, general, employment, shareholder, insurance defense, product liability, aviation, transportation, real estate, and appellate litigation.
Manufacturing

Manufacturing

FMJ’s Manufacturing attorneys have been holistically representing manufacturers for two decades. From R&D, through supply chain, operations, distribution, and sale channels, we know your challenges. We have a history of efficiently solving our clients’ legal issues in every phase of manufacturing.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers & Acquisitions

Our Mergers & Acquisitions team has handled deals collectively worth billions of dollars. With experience representing buyers, sellers and investors, we have the capacity and depth of knowledge to understand the issues that arise during the course of a transaction and offer solutions to ensure your deal moves forward and closes.
Nonprofit & Philanthropic

Nonprofit & Philanthropic

FMJ’s Nonprofit & Philanthropic group is passionate about assisting philanthropies and nonprofit organizations in carrying out their meaningful missions, paired with their extensive experience in an array of areas, makes the firm an ideal fit to help nonprofit and philanthropic organizations face the many nuances of nonprofit law.
Products Liability

Products Liability

With their expansive product knowledge and extensive experience, FMJ’s Products Liability group is able to handle cases effectively, efficiently, and with their clients' interests always at the forefront. The group has served as regional and national counsel to multi-level international Fortune 500 companies in 30 states for over 40 years.
Real Estate

Real Estate

Our Real Estate team has the experience and practical business knowledge necessary to navigate, negotiate, and manage the nuanced elements of real estate transactions, whether you are a business that has ongoing commercial purchase and sale or lease transactions, you are an experienced investor, or you are investing in real estate for the first time.
Sports & Entertainment

Sports & Entertainment

FMJ’s attorneys represent sports and entertainment entities of all sizes holistically and comprehensively. From contracts and operating agreements, through event planning, intellectual property, HR/employment, real estate, and even aviation, we know your needs and your challenges. FMJ is committed to solving each client's legal issues efficiently, so they can focus on their game, their craft, or their content.
Trusts & Estates

Trusts & Estates

Our Trusts & Estates group provides estate planning, estate administration, business and unique asset succession planning, estate controversy assistance and related services to individuals, closely-held businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. We are always accepting new clients and offer complimentary 30-minute initial consultations and flat-fee estate planning to fit every budget.