As part of the AOPA Legal Services Plan, Pilot Protection Services supports thousands of members each year with certificate-related legal issues. Led by Lawyer Jared Allen and under the supervision of General Counsel Justine Harrison, the Legal Services Regime team consists of five lawyers working with three administrative assistants/paralegals. Combined with the AOPA network of nearly 700 designated attorneys in the U.S. and Canada, our attorneys can help you manage the legal complexity of alleged airspace violations, potential FAA law enforcement actions, runway attacks, U.S. customs issues, drug and alcohol issues, and more. The Legal Services team receives nearly 5,000 calls from its members each year. Such requests may relate to the legal complexity arising from tax matters; the application of the ACT; pilot deviations and compliance; accidents and incidents; NTSB reports and investigations; and the review of aircraft and hangar documents for lease, purchase and sale. Under the umbrella of Pilot Protection Services, there are two plans: Basic and Plus. The Plus plan is required for any pilot who wishes to protect the legal services plan in the exercise of commercial privileges, but it is also the best option for all pilots, as it offers more hours with a designated lawyer in the case of a matter covered by the legal services plan. Justine Harrison joined AOPA in 2019 and is AOPA`s General Counsel and Secretary General, leading AOPA`s legal department and overseeing AOPA`s legal services plan, which serves more than 67,000 members. Harrison is a commercial pilot and pilot of aircraft ranging from an AirCam experiment she helped build to a Lear 75. Harrison received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and his Doctor of Laws from the William S.
Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Prior to joining AOPA, Harrison ran his own law firm for a decade after serving as general counsel, senior vice president of external affairs, and general secretary of the Nevada Cancer Institute. Previously, she was a director of the Nevada Cancer Institute, the Nevada Business Aviation Association and Angel Flight West, and a member of the EAA`s Legal Advisory Board. The AOPA Legal Services Plan, launched in 1983, provides personal legal advice and representation in FAA law enforcement cases, air accident cases, and issues related to drug and alcohol testing and federal tax matters. Benefits include a free half-hour consultation on all aviation law issues with one of 600 planning lawyers nationwide. Instagram: @flywithaopa, Twitter: @aopa, Facebook: AOPA: Your Freedom to Fly, AOPA Live Improving first-class benefits with maximum legal and medical care. Coverage for pilots working under ATP, Commercial, Flight Instructor or UAS Part 107 certificates, or for those who want more coverage. More than 72,000 AOPA members have already trusted PPS`s legal department and medical certification specialists to protect their aeronautical and medical references. Why don`t you do that? If you upgrade your subscription to add PPS, you will also receive extended member benefits. This testimony or confirmation does not constitute a guarantee, guarantee or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal case. Participant feedback is collected from AOPA`s LSP Customer Satisfaction Survey and does not guarantee the same or similar results with respect to your legal case.
I always thought it was a good idea to pay for AOPA`s legal services, but I never had to use them. It was just nice to have a lawyer by my side to answer some of the questions. It seems like I don`t need the coupons to consult a local lawyer, but it`s good to know how quickly AOPA Legal Services came to my aid in offering sound legal advice. With AOPA`s Legal Services Plan, a network of hundreds of general aviation lawyers are part of your team to navigate topics ranging from routine aircraft purchase contracts and lease documents to tax legal representation and enforcement actions. Thank you for the good advice and access to these knowledgeable tips. Like the panel counsel who helped in this case, so much so that we kept him for extra work. While I suspect few pilots want to keep a lawyer, it`s great to have legal services available when you need such responsive and high-quality advice! As others have said, AOPA Pilot Protection Services is truly one of the best deals in aviation! „We hope these latest enhancements will convince more AOPA members to have at least a first place to turn to if they need in-person legal advice on an aviation-related issue,“ said John Yodice, AOPA`s General Counsel. „In addition to the low cost, AOPA`s Legal Services Plan now covers initial advice on customs enforcement and the purchase and sale of aircraft.
A call to PPS legal counsel and a brief follow-up meeting with a lawyer participating in the plan resulted in more detailed legal advice that might otherwise have cost me thousands of dollars. Improved world-class services with basic legal and medical care. coverage for student pilots and those working under a light sport, leisure or private pilot certificate; or UAS Hobby or Leisure (not Part 107). Legal assistance comparable to AOPA coverage can be costly. These legal fees for a height deviation or a rollover without clearance usually exceed $1,000. A simple legal review of a tenancy or lease can usually cost anywhere from $110 to $150. These legal services are included in AOPA`s legal services plan for nothing more than the annual fee, as low as $26 per year for a private, recreational or student pilot. Many aircraft buyers or sellers may find that they need assistance with an aircraft transaction, if only to obtain a legal review of a purchase or sale agreement. The AOPA plan now includes a one-hour consultation with a planning lawyer on the purchase and sale of aircraft.