Hogan Lovells US LLP

According to clients, Hogan Lovells US LLP has ‘the most knowledgeable, well-informed practice around’. In addition to its traditional aviation work, the Washington DC-based practice stands out for its drone-related credentials: Recent highlights include assisting drone manufacturer Pyka with securing approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate (commercially nationwide) its zero-emission, highly-automated Pelican Spray uncrewed aircraft. The team also routinely works with American Airlines’ regulatory affairs team on FAA and US Department of Transportation (DOT) issues. Consistently mandated by airlines and aerospace companies, Robert Cohn is highly rated for his aviation-related regulatory, transactional, litigation and government relations advice. As chair of the firm’s global uncrewed aircraft systems practice, Lisa Ellman further serves as executive director of the Commercial Drone Alliance (an independent non-profit industry organization). Also integral to the group are Patrick Rizzi, who regularly acts before the DOT and FAA, and former FAA chief counsel (and acting deputy administrator) Arjun Garg, whose ’experience is extremely valuable to clients’ and who recently advised the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (Tennessee) on FAA policy in relation to an airport’s change in control. The next line of active practitioners includes Matthew Clark, an expert in federal regulatory issues.