JETLAW® - Key Persons
C. Edward ("Ed") Young joined Jetlaw® in 2021. He advises the firm's client on a wide range of airport and emerging technology/eVTOL/UAS matters. Ed represents airport sponsors and users on airspace and engineering projects, grant assurance compliance, concession and lease agreements, transition plans, constructing and permitting for temporary landing sites, and in resolving Part 13 and Part 16 disputes. Ed also represents clients in the emerging and advanced technology markets. He counsels eVTOL/AAM/UAS/Drone OEMs, operators, and users. His experience with the intersection of emerging technologies and regulation helps him to guide clients to practical, business-oriented solutions for their products and companies.
Ed was inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2019. He served key roles in projects that resulted in two American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) national honors awards, two consecutive Kansas ACEC outstanding technical communication awards, an Association for Unmanned Vehicles System International (AUVSI) national award, an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Association's President's Award, a National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) most innovative program award, and the NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education national outreach award.
As Director of Aviation for the State of Kansas, Ed served as the State's representative for airspace matters. He served as a liaison between Kansas' public use airports and the Federal Aviation Administration, and he also served as director of state-based grant and compliance activities. He also previously served as a city and county administrator / county counselor and as a consultant for local governments on engineering and land use projects.
Ed teaches Airport Environmental Planning and Airport Law at Kansas State University, Aviation Safety for Southeastern University, and he has taught finance, conflict resolution and procurement at the master's level for various universities. Ed is a commercial pilot with a single engine land and sea rating, multi-engine land rating, and a certified flight instructor with instrument and multi-engine privileges.
Ed received his B.A. from the University of Kansas in Latin American Studies and Sociology. He received his M.P.A. from the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration and his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law. He holds a certificate in Airport Risk and Safety Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Matthew J. Miriani, D.O., AME, works with the firm as an aviation medical advisor. He serves as medical director to major U.S. air carriers and some of the largest corporate flight departments in the country. Dr. Miriani is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, a member of the Federal Air Surgeon's Medical Advisory Counsel, and a HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner. Dr. Miriani is licensed to practice medicine in Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Arizona and California. In addition to medicine, Dr. Miriani is a captain for a Part 121 air carrier and holds an ATP certificate with a CRJ group type rating (A/CL-65). He is also a commercial helicopter pilot, holds a FAA Repairman certificate, and operates a Piper Malibu.
Dr. Miriani's practice includes:
Audits and finding recommendations for company-related medical policies and operating procedures;
Establishing and assisting companies with implementing best practices;
Serving as an Authorized Representative and medical liaison to human resources and the corporate legal department;
Fitness for duty evaluations; and
Counseling companies and pilots on unique medical issues.
Education
Dr. Miriani received a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri, a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his post-graduate training at Normandy Osteopathic Hospitals and is board certified in family practice.
Kayla is a first-generation postgraduate from Pomona College and is a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and A Better Chance alumnus. Kayla is passionate about the intersection of law, project management, and technology. They are excited to join the Jetlaw® team and develop skills in the legal aviation world.
Prior to joining the firm, Kayla was a communications intern for the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships. At Pomona College, Kayla was committed to educational equity as a program coordinator for the Pomona College for Youth Success and as a Learning Experience Observation Partner for the Claremont Colleges. Additionally, Kayla served as the Communications Lead for the Mudd Amateur Rocketry Team.
Kayla graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in English and a minor in Politics with departmental and college-wide honors. Outside of Jetlaw®, Kayla loves to travel, write, climb, hike, and practice languages. Kayla is fluent in English and Korean and has an intermediate proficiency in Japanese.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Banking Advisor
J. Toby Browne, Jr. works with the firm as a corporate banking and lending advisor. Toby is a former vice president of business and commercial banking. He is experienced in underwriting, pricing, structuring, approving and managing loans. He specializes in complex credits for closely held companies and business transitions. Toby's experience in special asset negotiations, collections and bankruptcy filings also makes him uniquely qualified to help companies navigate financial difficulties.
He has served on task forces to allocate government funds, and he brings in-depth financial and lending experience to Jetlaw's mergers & acquisitions, airport development, and aircraft transaction practices. Toby's practice includes advising clients on financing options and appropriate financing vehicles to accomplish their business growth and acquisition plans. He also works with clients to obtain financing proposals, consults with clients on financing terms, and negotiates terms with lending institutions. Toby also assists clients facing financial uncertainties and difficulties. Toby's clients benefit from his nation-wide banking relationships and in-depth understanding of financial markets.
Education
Toby holds a BA in Finance from Georgia Southern University. He completed a three-year comprehensive course on banking finance and management at University of Georgia's Georgia Banking School.
Kali M. Hague is a partner and COO at Jetlaw, LLC®. She advises clients throughout the country and internationally on all aspects of aviation law. Her clients include Part 121, 125, 135, 137, and 375 operators, airports, corporate flight departments, government contractors, and UAS/drone/AAM operations.
Kali helps her clients navigate unique and complex FAA and DOT issues. She provides outside general counsel services to aviation companies, including advising clients on human resource issues in the corporate flight department and resolving apparent conflicts between state law and FAA regulations. Kali also provides comprehensive counsel on aviation mergers and acquisitions.
In 2021, Kali was appointed to the NBAA Board of Directors. Kali was recognized as one of NBAA's Top 40 Under 40 award recipients in 2018. Kansas State University recognized Kali as an Alumni Fellow in 2019. Kali is a former adjunct professor of aviation law for Kansas State University. She is a former member of NBAA's Young Professionals Council.
Prior to joining the firm, Kali worked in-house for a Part 135 charter operator and aerial mapping operation. She gained hands-on experience in airport operations and management while working for an airport authority.
Kali's practice also includes:
Providing outside general counsel services.
Representing companies in mergers and acquisitions and advising venture capitalists and private equity funds on their investments in aviation.
Advising clients on airport hangar and facility construction projects.
Advising federally funded airports on leasing and revenue matters, maintaining grant assurance compliance, handling RFP responses, addressing complaints, and drafting and implementing Minimum Standards.
Solving complex regulatory matters for operators.
Representing clients before the Department of Transportation on citizenship issues.
Negotiating purchase and sale contracts for domestic and foreign registered aircraft.
Negotiating operating and financing leases and security agreements for domestic and cross-border acquisitions.
Advising clients on ownership and operating structure of their aircraft operations, including personal use issues, dry leases, time-sharing, joint ownership and interchange agreements, flying candidates for elected office, corporate aircraft use policies, U.S. registration of foreign-owned/operated aircraft, establishing owner trusts for registration, and foreign registration of aircraft and non-U.S. aircraft operations.
Kali is a commercial pilot and flight instructor. She has assisted with the firm's flight operations since she joined the firm in 2010. Kali co-presents the firm's NBAA-approved Professional Development Programs with Kent Jackson and speaks throughout the country on best practices in FAA, DOT and IRS regulatory compliance and human resources in the corporate flight department. Kali is admitted to practice law in Washington, D.C., Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas.
Kent S. Jackson is founder and managing partner of the firm. He has built a national and international reputation for excellence in aviation law, with a focus on structuring complex aircraft transactions and providing a broad range of aviation business and regulatory advice. Kent assists clients in establishing appropriate operating structures for Part 91, Part 135, Part 375, Part 380 and complex hybrid operations. He has assisted clients in obtaining Part 135, Part 125 and Part 380 authority. He has represented companies and individuals in DOT, CBP and FAA enforcement proceedings and IRS tax audits. Kent's clients include airports, corporate jet owners, lessors, investment banks, manufacturers, and government agencies.
Kent frequently speaks on behalf of the National Business Aviation Association, the National Air Transportation Association, Jeppesen and other aviation groups. He is past Chairman of the National Business Aviation Association's Tax Committee and past Chairman of the NBAA Regulatory Issues Advisory Group and a past member of the NBAA Associate Member Advisory Council. Kent was also a principal participant on the FAA's Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee and the Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee. He is the Industry Chairman of the FAA's Part 135 Rest and Duty Aviation Rulemaking Committee.
As a type-rated airline transport pilot, flight instructor, and repairman, Kent has flight experience in Part 91 and Part 135 operations. In addition, he owned Blue Feather Charter, LLC, an air carrier operating on-demand flights under FAR Part 135. Kent is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, Kansas, Missouri and New York.
Kent Jackson received his B.A. with Distinction and Departmental Honors in English and his J.D. from the University of Kansas.
Kent Jackson founded the firm in 1993, shortly after the publication of his first volume of FARs Explained, which is now the Jetlaw EXPLAINED book series. The series is a cornerstone of interpreting the FAA's regulations and is found on desks across FAA headquarters, flight departments, air carriers, universities, airports, and DoD contractors.
Michael ("Mike") Kolich is a partner at Jetlaw, LLC®. He represents clients on a range of aviation issues, including the purchase and sale of business jets and FAA regulatory compliance. As a pilot himself, Mike understands both the enjoyment and complexities of aircraft operations allowing him to develop solutions that maximize the client experience.
When Mike is not closing deals or reading the FARs, you can find him on the baseball field coaching his 9-year-old team, in the sky looking for the next $100 hamburger, or riding dirt bikes with his family and friends. Mike is the proud father of Austin who is a natural in the right seat and will be forever grateful to his wife Angie who has supported all things aviation since day one.
Prior to joining the firm, Michael interned for the Honorable John W. Lungstrum for the United States District Court in Kansas and worked as a Catastrophe Adjuster and Claims Supervisor for a large insurance company. Michael has also served proudly as a Staff Sergeant in the Kansas Air National Guard. He was deployed on several overseas missions where he ensured the mission readiness of military aircraft. During law school, Mike participated in the Washburn Law Journal and earned the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Contracts, Torts, and Writing for Law Practice.
Michael's practice includes:
Advising on the sale and purchase of domestic and foreign jet aircraft and helicopters for publicly traded companies, small business, home offices, individuals, and original equipment manufacturers.
Negotiating dry leases, time share and interchange agreements, management and services agreements, Part 135 charter agreements, hangar leases, airport leases, owner financing, joint ownership, pilot and employee agreements, manufacturer "lemon" buy-back hold harmless agreements, and broker agreements.
Assisting with the formation of complex aircraft related business relationships between aircraft owners, charter operators, business owners, and special purpose end users.
Negotiating fractional ownership agreements.
Structure FAA and DOT compliant aircraft operating structures with a focus on maximizing tax benefits.
Establishing owner trusts and limited liability companies to facilitate aircraft ownership
Negotiating financing documents for traditional credit or asset based financing, lease-back financing, and synthetic leases.
Advising airport authorities on safety and usage policies, including obligations with accepting federal funding.
Advising on federal and state tax responsibilities when purchasing, selling, and operating business aircraft.
Education
Washburn University School of Law, JD
Baker University, MBA
Job Titles:
- CGMA
- Principal in the Certified Public Accounting Firm of Messina & Associates Ltd
Peter ("Pete") Messina, CPA, CGMA, works in the firm's Chicago location as an aviation tax advisor. Pete has a long history in aviation and aircraft charter management and a practical understanding of the issues and nuances to state and federal tax planning in aircraft ownership and operations. In 1999, Pete was appointed CFO and President, of a large Part 135 aircraft charter and management company based in Chicago with world-wide operating authority. Pete oversaw operations of 10 large aircraft from Citation II's to Gulfstream IV's and lead a team of 50 employees.
In addition to working with the firm's aviation clients, Pete is the Principal in the Certified Public Accounting firm of Messina & Associates Ltd., an accounting, tax and business consulting firm. Messina & Associates represents individual, business and aviation clients internationally with offices in West Chicago, Illinois, and Savannah, Georgia. Pete also serves as a Director and Officer for a number of companies. Pete is a multi-engine, instrument rated Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), the highest pilot designation issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Education
Pete Messina received his B.A. from Lewis University and his Certification as a Public Accountant (CPA) from the University of Illinois.
Job Titles:
- Aviation Compliance Expert
Richard W. Carlson joined the firm after a distinguished career with the FAA. Rich served as the Safety Analysis and Evaluation Branch Manager of the FAA Central Region where he oversaw FAA operations in the Midwest. Rich began his career as a Geophysics officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Rich Carlson received his BGS with an emphasis in meteorology from the University of Kansas and his MS in aviation safety from the University of Central Missouri. He has over 100 FAA training courses/schools/checks to his credit.
Sarah R. Cummings joined Jetlaw® in 2019. She assists the firm with a wide range of aviation matters, including domestic and international aircraft purchase and sale transactions, aircraft operating and structuring compliance, and a variety of other federal and state regulatory matters. Prior to joining the firm, Sarah worked for a United States Senator. She also gained experience in civil litigation while working at another firm. Sarah is a member of the Aero Club of Washington.
Sarah's work includes:
Aircraft purchase and sale agreements for domestic and internationally registered aircraft.
Drafting aircraft lease agreements, time share, and interchange agreements.
Reviewing fractional aircraft ownership agreements and joint ownership agreements.
Preparing pilot services agreements.
Formation of business relationships between aircraft owners and aircraft operators, including Part 135 charter operators.
Establishing aircraft owner trusts and limited liability companies in conjunction with aircraft acquisitions and ownership.
Sarah is admitted to practice law in Georgia, Illinois, and the District of Columbia.
Education
Sarah received her BS Cum Laude in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Georgia and her JD as a Dean's Scholar from Mercer University School of Law. During law school, Sarah received an Advanced Legal Writing, Research, and Drafting certificate as well as a Business Certificate in Practice Management through Mercer's Stetson Hatcher School of Business. She was a final-four participant in the National Ethics Trial Competition and earned the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Letters. She was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Honor Society and received the Mercer Law Distinguished Service Award.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Office Manager
Valerie joined Jetlaw, LLC in 2015. She brings over 20 years of experience in education and administration. Valerie provides executive administrative assistance to the firm's clients and attorneys, as well as being our office manager. She serves as the main contact for all accounts receivable and payable needs within the firm.
Education
University of Kansas, BME