People

W. Eric Pilsk

Partner

Washington, DC Office
202.955.5600

Education

J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law, 1988
B.A., with honors, Wesleyan University, 1983

Bar and Court Admissions

District of Columbia
Colorado
Commonwealth of Virginia
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and numerous other United States Courts of Appeals and District Courts 

W. Eric Pilsk

For more than 20 years, Eric Pilsk has represented clients in disputes involving public entities, with a particular emphasis on litigating airport, transit, and land use issues.  Eric handles cases involving federal aviation laws, FAA grant obligations, federal preemption, the ICC Termination Act, the National Trails System Act, NEPA, the APA, Native American trust claims, and a wide range of issues regarding land use and constitutional law at the state and federal levels.  He has acted as lead trial counsel in trials in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including contested evidentiary hearings before the FAA in FAR Part 16 proceedings.

Eric’s appellate experience includes drafting numerous briefs to state and federal Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as arguing cases in federal Courts of Appeals.  In addition to litigation, Eric counsels clients on a range of regulatory and pre-litigation issues, including FAA AIP grant compliance matters, airport expansion projects, and rail corridor access issues.

Representative Experience

Chicago O'Hare International Airport Inverse Condemnation Litigation, Illinois
Represented the City of Chicago is a case brought by over 60 property owners seeking damages allegedly caused by noise and vibrations from aircraft using a new runway at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.  After deposing all plaintiffs and conducting extensive document and expert discovery, the court entered summary judgment in favor of Chicago on Statute of Limitations grounds.

King Country Railbanking Matters, Washington
Represented King County, Washington in a series of challenges to King County’s efforts to develop recreational trails on railbanked right-of-way in both federal court and before the Surface Transportation Board.

Albuquerque ART Bus Rapid Transit Project, New Mexico
Represented the City of Albuquerque in a case brought by a number of citizens and citizen groups seeking to enjoin construction of a bus rapid transit project on historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  After expedited injunction proceedings and a four-day evidentiary hearing, the District Court denied the injunction and allowed the project to proceed.  That decision was affirmed in an expedited appeal to the Tenth Circuit. 

Philadelphia International Airport Capacity Enhancement Program, Pennsylvania
Represented the City of Philadelphia in litigation and FAA regulatory matters related to the implementation of the Capacity Enhancement Program at Philadelphia International Airport. Representation included defending the Environmental Impact Statement supporting the project and negotiating a complex, long-term settlement with neighboring jurisdiction. 

Professional and Civic Activities

  • Two-time board member, Potomac Pedalers Touring Club

Recent and Reported Decisions

News & Publications

Presentations

39th Annual Airport Law Workshop
10.15.23
34th Annual AAAE Basics of Airport Law Workshop and 2018 Legal Update
10.29.18
34th Annual AAAE Basics of Airport Law Workshop and 2018 Legal Update
10.29.18
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Publications

News

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Education

J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law, 1988
B.A., with honors, Wesleyan University, 1983

Bar and Court Admissions

District of Columbia
Colorado
Commonwealth of Virginia
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and numerous other United States Courts of Appeals and District Courts