Tracing its roots to 1966, Garofalo Goerlich Hainbach PC (GGH) has specialized in aviation law throughout its existence and prides itself on providing high quality and cost-effective representation.
The firm’s aviation law practice is all encompassing, other than litigation, ranging from domestic and international licensing and regulatory matters, to negotiation and documentation of aircraft sale, purchase and lease transactions, to performing due diligence in conjunction with the purchase of aviation entities and assets. The firm’s Washington, DC location provides ready access to various federal agency headquarters, including those of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
GGH represents clients before numerous U.S. government agencies, including the DOT, FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, Department of State, Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, Office of Foreign Assets Control, and Department of Commerce. The firm’s clients include U.S. and foreign scheduled and charter passenger and cargo airlines, commuter air carriers, on-demand air taxis, aircraft management companies, fractional ownership program managers and participants, specialty air operators, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS or drone) operators, aircraft brokers, leasing companies, fixed base operators, licensed repair stations, aircraft and parts dealers and manufacturers, tour operators and wholesalers, travel agents, business aircraft owners and operators, and aviation investors and lenders.
The firm advises clients on regulatory compliance, licensing and operations, federal rulemaking proceedings, bilateral air service negotiations, aircraft purchase, sale and lease contracts, and a variety of other matters. GGH also advises large and small corporations, individuals and other business entities on the manner in which aircraft may be operated on a charge-back basis within a corporate family or for compensation on behalf of unrelated parties.
In addition to their experience practicing law, several of the firm’s lawyers have roots in aviation. Aaron Goerlich is an instrument-rated pilot and regularly operates an aircraft out of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Don Hainbach worked for the Civil Aeronautics Board, the predecessor to the DOT, for five years. Erin Tallardy Katz interned at the Department of State’s Office of Aviation Policy and worked at US Airways for three years. Jason Maddux interned at the DOT General Counsel’s Offices of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (now Aviation Consumer Protection) and International Law and holds a private pilot certificate.