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Summary
Todd is co-chair of the Taft’s Aviation group. With over 35 years of aviation experience, he focuses his practice exclusively on aviation law. A retired military officer and pilot, Todd is passionate about this area of law and the clients he serves.
His work encompasses a wide variety of business aviation-related issues involving ownership and operational structures, domestic and foreign-based aircraft purchases and sales, contractual disputes arising from such transactions, company and family office flight department structure and compliance, personal travel on company aircraft, federal, state, and local tax implications of business, business entertainment, personal, personal non-entertainment, and commuter flights on business aircraft, SEC considerations arising from business and personal use of aircraft, aviation-related contractual disputes, insurance coverage issues, warranty matters, ongoing service requirements, United States registered aircraft operating overseas, and regulatory, requirements, compliance, and enforcement matters.
Specifically, among other things, he structures aviation transactions, including domestic and foreign-based aircraft purchases and sales, interchange agreements, joint and fractional ownership agreements, personal and executive use policies, small aircraft exemptions applications, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registrations, and aircraft leasing transactions. Todd is experienced in FAA Part 91, Part 135, and Part 125 operations He also advises on Cape Town Convention and International Registry matters.
Trained and experienced in problem-solving and accustomed to working in a fast-paced, unforgiving, and high-stakes environment, Todd has leveraged that experience to provide timely, accurate and focused legal services to his aviation clients.
Todd provides legal counsel on aviation-related issues such as aircraft ownership structures, federal excise tax planning, state sales and use tax planning, and depreciation planning. He frequently advises on aviation insurance coverage matters, warranty matters, ongoing service requirements and regulatory requirements, and enforcement matters. In addition, Todd represents clients in complex aviation lawsuits.
During Todd’s 20-year active-duty United States Air Force career, he amassed more than 2,000 flying hours, primarily in KC-135 and C-12 aircraft operated in multiple combat environments across the globe. He is a veteran of Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Allied Force, the conflict in East Timor, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Todd retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel holding a Command Pilot Badge.
In his spare time, Todd can be found running, mountain biking, and spending time with his children.
Todd is licensed to practice law in Indiana and Michigan.
Education
- University of Notre Dame Law School
- Naval Post Graduate School
M.S.
- Indiana State University
B.A.
Admissions
- State - Indiana
- State - Michigan
- Federal - Northern District of Indiana
- Federal - Southern District of Indiana
- Federal - Western District of Michigan
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Professional Affiliations
- Indiana State Bar Association
Former chair, Aviation Law Committee
- Indiana Legal Services
Former member, Board of Directors
- National Business Aviation Association
- Tax Committee, Member
- Regulatory Issues Advisory Group (RIAG), Member
- International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading
Member
- International Aircraft Dealers Association
Member