Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, along with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), hosted the 34th Annual Airport Law Workshop and 2018 Legal Update in Washington, DC, from October 28 to 30. This year marked the most successful workshop to date with a record-breaking attendance. Copies of the presentations and 2018’s agenda are available at the conference’s website.
Now in its third decade, the workshop is the best opportunity for those new to airport law, or new to specific legal issues, to learn from experts the fundamental legal principles that underlie virtually all aspects of airport operations and development. This workshop is the only conference that combines a thorough review of the basics of airport law with an update on recent legal developments. Instructors are government attorneys from DOT, FAA, and TSA, as well as seasoned practitioners with decades of experience and in-depth understanding of the federal laws, regulations, and policies that govern public-use airports. The opportunity to interact informally with these attendees is another benefit of the workshop.
The workshop is not limited to lawyers. While more than half of the attendees are lawyers, participants always include those involved in airport administration, operations, planning, finance, property, environmental management, or security. Senior airport managers and commissioners or board members attend as well. This workshop also can help educate those who do not work for an airport but who interact with airports or are otherwise involved in the regulatory aspects of the industry.
One of the most valuable benefits of the workshop is that all attendees receive the Airport Law Desk Reference, a comprehensive, user-friendly resource book that is updated each year for this conference. Information regarding next year’s conference will be available in spring 2019.