Aviation Law Degree

An aviation law specialist, or aviation lawyer, is a person who provides legal counsel services in the sphere of aviation law. The latter is a branch of law, which deals with air travel and related legal and business concerns. Aviation law, due to the nature of air travel, to a large extent is related to international law.  There are authorized organizations that regulate the sphere of aviation law: the US Federal Aviation Administration and United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization.

There are three major fields an aviation lawyer can work in.

1. The first is finance. In this field a lawyer actually deals with banking. Clients can be both individuals (private pilots) and businesses (airline companies).
2. The second field is regulatory, which supposes work directly for airports, airlines, and government bodies, regulating most diverse issues from theoretical (advising on airspace issues) to practical (setting up an airline).
3. The third field is litigation. It is representing a client during an aviation-related law suit in court.

The job of an aviation lawyer is time-consuming and requires working irregular hours and overtime. Aviation lawyers often face considerable pressure when they work in the field of litigation. Moreover, all lawyers should additionally spend time studying new laws concerning aviation and recent judicial decisions in the sphere.

What will be taught during the course of studies?

Aviation lawyers are first of all required to be competent is a number of subjects related to aviation, e.g. aviation safety measures, cargo regulations, aviation economic issues. Also they gain knowledge of jurisdictions, treaties and international contracts. A specialist in aviation law must be aware of foreign aviation policies.

Students enrolled for a course in aviation law are taught different activities, performed by lawyers. They are:

• to interpret aviation laws;
• to apply the laws to specific situations;
• to draft new laws;
• to conduct criminal and civil lawsuits;
• to draw up legal documents;
• to gather evidence;
• to interview clients and witnesses;
• to represent client in court or before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of the government;
• to act as a trustee, guardian or executor;
• to supervise and coordinate activities of subordinate legal personnel.

Where can I enroll to a course in aviation law?

Aviation law is often studied in combination with space law or as a part of a broader specialization of international law. To pursue a career in aviation law, one must gain an aviation law degree. Graduates with aviation law specialization are prepared to work for private law firms, commercial airline companies or the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. Here are a few schools which offer aviation law degrees:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

At the university minor program in aviation law is offered, which may be studied within broader aviation-related degree programs, e.g. aeronautical science, air traffic management and others. Completion of the program requires earning credits with a number of courses, related to aviation law.

DePaul University

DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois, and offers a Master of Laws degree in international law with a specialization in aviation law and policy. The program includes courses on international business transactions, public international law and trade law. Students are required to complete a coursework on one of the aviation-related legal disciplines like international aviation law and policy issues, commercial dispute resolution, U.S. customs, international trade and European Union law etc. Students are also required to complete an external internship course.

University of Mississippi

At the university a certificate program in air and space law in conjunction with a law degree may be obtained. The areas of concentration are domestic and international aviation law, domestic and  international space law, international trade and public law, international sales. The university also provides an opportunity of studying abroad in Spain, China, Czech Republic, Argentina and other countries.