On this episode of Two Lawyers Walk Into a Bar, Bradley Pollina sat down with Edward Hept, a commercial litigator and head of the aviation litigation practice at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, to discuss how a general commercial litigation career evolved into a highly specialized practice involving aircraft, engines, international treaties, and cross-border disputes.
From lessor-lessee disputes and repair issues to repossession of airframes and engines, Edward broke down what aviation litigation actually looks like. He also discussed the case that became a turning point in his career: an emergency application following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine involving three leased aircraft, the Cape Town Convention, and a plane stranded on a tarmac in Hong Kong.
In this episode, Brad and Edward spoke about finding a legal niche, building an industry-specific practice, developing a professional network, and why the economics of aviation often come down to the engines rather than the aircraft themselves.
To learn more about Edward Hept and the aviation practice at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, visit https://www.sgrlaw.com/attorneys/heppt-edward/