Sarah Keane, Peter Kirsch, Steven Osit, Eric Pilsk, and Sarah Wilbanks will present at the Airport Counsel International’s 2023 Legal Affairs Conference in Aventura, FL on May 23-26, 2023. The conference brings together airport legal professionals and consultants to identify and discuss the most pressing legal developments and issues associated with the industry. The event includes discussion panels, networking opportunities, and presentations from industry leaders. Information about each of their sessions is below. Learn more about the conference here. 

Tuesday, May 23, 2023:

Regulatory Updates | 3:00pm – 4:30pm

The panelists will discuss regulatory updates critical to lawyers right now such as: Build America Buy America (BABA), Safety Management Systems (SMS), 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26 (DBE and ACDBE), the Draft FAA Policy Regarding Air Carrier Incentive Programs, and the Draft FAA Policy Regarding Processing Land Use Changes.

Moderated by Sarah Wilbanks, Associate, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, LLP

Airports Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Updates | 4:30pm – 4:45pm

Hear what resources are available through ACRP and a debrief on a recent report about lessons from the pandemic.

Peter Kirsch, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, LLP

Wednesday, May 24, 2023:

Electricity, Hydrogen and Other New Sources of Energy | 8:30am – 9:30am

The move to cleaner energy is impacting infrastructure, business models, and legal arrangements at airports. How can airports make the most of these coming changes? Where are the legal landmines and what is the role of the airport attorney? The panel will draw on experiences at airports throughout North America to explore these and other related issues.

Sarah Keane, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, LLP

Thursday, May 25, 2023:

Is It a Horse or a Zebra? How to Handle Scheduled Public Charters | 10:00am – 11:00am

As scheduled public charters proliferate, airports struggle with how to accommodate them and their disruptive business models. The panel will discuss applicable DOT air carrier classifications, and the issues raised by the different business practices, including when and how to collect PFCs, and competitive considerations.

Steven Osit, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, LLP

Aircraft Noise | 11:30am – 12:00pm

What’s old is new as the United States (and other nations) considers revising long-established noise compatibility standards, potentially changing airports’ relationships with their neighbors. As airports and their communities continue to deal with aircraft noise and other environmental impacts of aviation, attorneys must work through key legal issues. This panel will tackle some of those issues, including a review of the legal framework and principles, challenges to airport planning and development, and the impact of noise on affordable housing near airports.

Eric Pilsk, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, LLP