The Legal Affairs Committee provides airport attorneys with a forum to share information about new developments in case law, statutes and regulations affecting airports; the Committee also monitors pending airport litigation.  Through its steering group, recommendations are made to the ACI-NA Board and Executive Committee regarding requests that ACI-NA file “friend of the court” briefs at the appellate stage of cases in federal and state court, where those cases are likely to have significant implications for U.S. airports.  The Committee reviews and edits draft briefs prior to filing.

In addition, the Committee drafts and edits comments filed in proceedings pending before administrative agencies of the federal government, and assists ACI-NA in informal discussions with those federal agencies.  The Committee, through the ACI-NA staff, maintains for the use of its members, sample language for various airport legal documents, e.g., policies, RFP’s, minimum standards, easements, etc.  The Legal Affairs Committee also responds to requests from the ACI-NA Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and other ACI-NA departments for information regarding legal issues affecting airports, and provides speakers to other ACI-NA committees on a variety of airport legal issues.

Finally, the Committee plans two important conferences for its members, held in the spring and fall annually. These conferences update airport lawyers throughout North America on the most pressing legal, regulatory and litigation issues facing airports. Speakers usually include private practitioners, airport attorneys and leading government regulatory officials from key agencies involved in airport and aviation issues.

Leadership

Chair
Amy Gonzalez
San Diego International Airport

Committee Secretary
Leila Lahbabi
(202) 293-8500

Click here for full committee leadership>

Get Involved

Press Releases

New ACI-NA Report Highlights Heightened Urgency to Modernize America’s Airports

ACI-NA today released the 2023 U.S. Airport Infrastructure Needs Report: Growing Needs Heighten Urgency to Modernize America’s Airports. ACI-NA estimates that America’s airports need $151 billion over the next five years to fund necessary infrastructure projects, up more than 30 percent from $115 billion just two years ago.

Airports Council Congratulates New Committee Chairs

WASHINGTON – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke today congratulated U.S. Representatives Sam Graves, Mark Green, Kay Granger, and Jason Smith for being […]

Airports Council Names Lynn Goldschmidt 2022 Downes Award Recipient

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today announced that Lynn Goldschmidt has been […]

Events

ACI-NA Commentary on Legal Affairs

’60 Minutes’ Correspondent Scott Pelley: Aviation is a Miracle

During the 2022 ACI-NA Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Alessio Olivetti caught up with Scott Pelley, the 60 Minutes correspondent and 2022 annual conference keynote, who shared his experience as tireless […]

Airports Council Establishes DEI Working Group to Drive Association Efforts

Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today announced the formation of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion […]

Celebrating April as U.S. Airport Professional Appreciation Month

  As U.S. Airport Professional Appreciation Month comes to a close, we have been so excited to celebrate the airport industry professionals who are demonstrating their commitment to industry excellence […]

Event Presentations and Webinars