Michelle Wade knows what it takes to keep up with the ever-changing laws of business jet transactions.
With over 25 years in the aviation industry and over 10,000 hours of legal practice clocked to date, she is uniquely skilled in developing solutions for complex domestic and cross-border acquisition, as well as financing and leasing transactions involving corporate jets.
She works to satisfy the most pressing needs of your business, whether it is mitigating risk, addressing regulatory compliance and/or internal policy compliance, reviewing liability concerns, or examining tax issues.
While she is catching errors with a fine-tooth comb, she is also thinking strategically and operationally ahead to anticipate potential problems 5, 10, or 15 years down the road that could arise for her clients.
Her team describes her as someone who has the ability to see the finest of details and catch issues that other attorneys will miss, while simultaneously staying big picture.
The laws and regulations of the FAA, IRS, and other regulatory agencies that affect business aircraft are constantly changing, and Michelle’s experience allows her to anticipate, plan for, and support businesses aircraft operations to transition gracefully alongside the rules and regulations.
She regularly works with advisors and flight departments to efficiently plan aircraft acquisitions and support aircraft operations to remain in compliance with the most up-to-date laws and regulations.
Michelle attended the University of Kansas, where she studied accounting and business administration. Studying accounting honed her already-sharp eye for fine detail and accuracy, an asset in the practice of law. Business Administration supported Michelle in developing a systematic, pragmatic approach to complex, multidimensional problems, with an ability to always keep the larger picture in mind. This strong foundation sent her into law school at Northwestern University’s School of Law.
Before Jetstream, Michelle worked with the international law firm of Bryan Cave LLP and was also a name partner with an aviation law firm prior to founding Jetstream Aviation Law.
She is a frequent speaker on the latest trends and news in aviation law, presenting at events like the Women in Aviation International conference, the National Business Aviation Association tax conference, and the International Aircraft Transactions Conference at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition.
Michelle is a member of the Women in Corporate Aviation, American Bar Association, National Business Aviation Association, and International Aviation Women’s Association.
Buying or selling an aircraft can create a legal nightmare for business owners who don’t anticipate the kinds of problems that can arise. You don’t want to wait until a dispute arises about the condition or history of an aircraft, or damage to an aircraft occurs that may or may not be covered by insurance. That is why it’s important that you retain legal representation from an experienced aviation attorney.
