Kent S. Jackson

Jetlaw, LLC is a full-service business aviation law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Kansas City, Kansas. Jetlaw handles all aspects of business aviation, from aircraft purchasing, leasing and financing to a wide variety of airports and other aviation regulatory compliance issues. The firm's Washington D.C. location provides unique access to government regulators and elected officials, allowing the firm's attorneys to solve problems quietly and succinctly. Clients also benefit from full-service U.S. federal and state tax advice.

In 2018, Jetlaw celebrated its 25th anniversary, along with the 25th anniversary of the first publication of the Federal Aviation Regulations Explained, which is now Jetlaw's FAR/AIM Explained book series, the only treatises to annotate and explain FAA regulations and case law. These books are critical to correctly interpreting the FAA regulations. Because many of the FAA's legal interpretations are not available online or in printed publications, the book serves as a miniature library housing decades of administrative interpretations. The reference book is used by government regulators, corporate flight departments, charter operators, and pilots across the United States.

Jetlaw's attorneys and advisors began their careers in the aviation industry and use the knowledge they acquired to help their clients. "There's a limit to your understanding of aviation if your contact with the industry is from behind a desk," said Kent Jackson, Managing Partner at Jetlaw, LLC and a former chief pilot for an air carrier. Kali Hague, an attorney at the firm who worked for a charter operator and airport authority before joining Jetlaw, adds, "I spot issues that other attorneys didn't even know existed because I've actually lived in my client's shoes." The firm's depth of experience continues to impress clients. Attorneys and advisors bring decades of experience in civil and military aviation to their practice, including experience as government regulators. Mike Kolich, an attorney in the Kansas office, was a former military crew chief and was deployed on several overseas missions where he ensured the mission readiness of military aircraft. Mike Kolich has an MBA in addition to his J.D. and has gained a deep understanding of the business and regulatory compliance issues that intertwine in aviation contracts.

Kent Jackson's experience includes representing clients on FAA aviation rulemaking committees, including the rulemaking committee that developed and drafted the fractional aircraft rules in 14 C.F.R. Part 91, Subpart K. The rules revolutionized the industry and allowed programs like NetJets to flourish. The firm closely tracks aviation legislation and works with clients and members of Congress to introduce provisions into FAA Reauthorization Bills. "Sometimes regulations don't adequately address a situation, and we can help clients fix that," comments Jackson. "It's not always a fast solution, but it provides iron-clad certainty, which many of our clients need."

The firm has a long history of supporting the business aviation industry through work with the National Business Aviation Association. Kent Jackson was the Founding Chairman of the NBAA Tax Committee and the Founding Chairman of the NBAA Regulatory Issues Advisory Group. He also served on the NBAA Advisory Council and has long been a proponent of NBAA's Political Action Committee. Jetlaw is a member of NBAA's Leadership Council, and the NBAA awarded Kali Hague with its inaugural 40 Under 40 Award in 2018.

Another major practice area for the firm is airport development and compliance. The firm represents airport authorities and tenants in multi-million dollar infrastructure development projects, Part 16 formal complaint proceedings, and other airport matters. "If you search for our attorneys in airport decisions, you probably won't find our names," says Mike Kolich, an attorney at Jetlaw who brings years of experience in military aviation and the insurance industry to his practice. "We have a reputation for resolving high-profile issues quietly. Sometimes keeping a high-profile issue in the media is important, but generally it means high legal bills and protracted negotiations."

Jetlaw has in-depth experience in cross-border matters that extends beyond aircraft transactions. "Many of our clients are government contractors, and the soon-to-be-revised North American Free Trade Agreement impacts their international operations," says Kent Jackson.

Jetlaw operates its own aircraft to meet with clients, and in their spare time, Kent Jackson and Kali Hague both compete in air races. Kali Hague competes in the Women's Air Race Classic, and Kent Jackson competes in Formula 1 Air Racing, both in the U.S. and internationally.