We have broad experience representing clients in the policymaking and legislative processes in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. We routinely advise clients before the executive and legislative branches of government. Some examples of activity in this area include:

• Congressional relations. We advocate before members of Congress and their staffs on behalf of a number of US and foreign firms. Projects range from opposing potential legislation limiting US market access, to gaining support for specific transactions, to counseling clients asked to testify before congressional committees.
• Intergovernmental negotiations. We have advised airlines with respect to the negotiation of air service agreements and resolution of intergovernmental disputes. We have advised airlines and trade associations on the EU-US negotiations to liberalize the transatlantic aviation market.
• Amendment of regulations. We advised major US and European airlines on the implications of the European Commission proposal for amending the EU slot regulation, particularly with regard to the ability of airlines to trade airport landing and take-off slots.
• Trade association policy. We advised a major European airline association concerning the implications of the European Court of Justice's “open skies" judgments and prepared a report and paper outlining the association's position on key competition law aspects of the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Open Aviation Area.

We have litigated many significant cases before the federal and state courts, adjudicatory agencies and private arbitrators. Our lawyers have appeared before the Supreme Court and the federal appellate courts in dozens of appeals of Federal Communications Commission  and other agency decisions.

The strength of our practice extends to both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, we litigate matters for clients before the European Court of First Instance and Court of Justice, and also handle litigation and appeals to national courts from regulatory authorities.

We represent airlines, airline alliances and airport operators in litigation and other types of dispute resolution. Some examples are:

• Appeal of passenger rights legislation. We successfully represented a US airline trade group in appealing a New York statute requiring airlines experiencing extended pre-departure ground delays to provide passengers with specified amenities. The appellate court agreed with our argument that federal law preempts state laws relating to the service of any air carrier.
• Appeal of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule to establish slot auctions. We represented a US airline trade group in an appeal challenging a rule finalized by the FAA to conduct an auction of slot leases at New York–area airports.
• Skycap class action suit. We represented a US airline in a class action brought by a group of skycaps alleging that the fee revenue generated by the airline’s passenger fee for curbside baggage check-in services is payable to them under common-law principles and a Massachusetts state law governing tips for personal services.
• Los Angeles International Airport rates and charges dispute. We represented a US airline in a US Department of Transportation (DOT) adjudicatory proceeding in which a number of major airlines successfully challenged the rates and charges imposed by the city of Los Angeles for the use of Los Angeles International Airport. DOT’s final order in the proceeding is now under review in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
• Air cargo rate investigation. We represented two major international airlines in connection with industry-wide investigations by antitrust/competition authorities in the US, Europe and elsewhere relating to the imposition of fuel and other surcharges on air cargo rates. We also represented the same airlines and their affiliates in related class action litigation with respect to passenger fares and cargo rates in the United States.
• Antitrust class action suit. We achieved an innovative and cost-effective settlement—opposed by the US Department of Justice—in a certified antitrust class action brought by a nationwide class of travel agents against the major airlines in which plaintiffs sought over $50 billion in damages.
• Overflight fee litigation. We represented a major foreign carrier in a series of court actions successfully challenging FAA regulations imposing fees on flights that "overfly" US controlled airspace without taking off or landing in the United States.
• September 11 compensation litigation. We represented a US cargo carrier in litigation challenging the methodology used by the DOT to determine the amount of compensation a carrier may receive for losses incurred as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
• Predatory pricing litigation. We represented a leading international airline in litigation before a Court of Appeals concerning predatory pricing allegations, including the negotiation of a settlement with the competent authority.
• Landing fee litigation. We represented a number of airlines in several landmark litigations before a Court of Appeals and a regional court concerning landing fees at an international airport in Germany.
• Dispute on use of airspace. We represented an international hub airport before the European Commission and the German courts, including the German Supreme Court for administrative matters, in a dispute on the use of the airspace of a European country for approaches to and departures from a neighboring country's largest airport, including advice on negotiations on a bilateral treaty and on strategic options.