Jeff Immel

Jeff Immel is a strategic partner with Babst Calland and represents clients in the firm’s Aerospace, Aviation, and Airports practice. He is an experienced aviation and airport attorney with a history of working in the technology and aviation industries to help clients navigate the evolving and dynamic legal and regulatory challenges facing these highly regulated fields. He has demonstrated experience as a naval aviator flying in combat, in-house attorney, airport general counsel, and legal and business advisor to multiple clients in the aviation and technology industries.

As former General Counsel of the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), the operator of Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, Jeff advised leadership and the board on legal, regulatory, and governance matters supporting airport operations, infrastructure development, and strategic initiatives.

Prior to joining ACAA, Jeff served as the head of U.S. aviation regulatory and legal affairs for Zipline International Inc. where he provided legal counsel in obtaining and maintaining all federal approvals necessary to begin unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercial package delivery operations in the U.S. He also served as the primary legal and regulatory counsel to Amazon Prime Air and Amazon Air and was an associate attorney for Jenner & Block and Jones Day where he advised clients on various aspects of aviation regulation and emerging technologies law.

Representative Experience:

  • Advised clients on obtaining Part 135 certification for Unmanned Aircraft System package delivery operations.
  • Served as outside general counsel for major industry association, assisting with board meetings and governance, contract drafting, dispute resolution, regulatory review and compliance, and business advice and counseling.
  • Advised clients on legal challenges facing aviation and emerging technologies, including citizenship requirements, consumer protection laws and regulations, rate and charges disputes with airport authorities, due diligence in acquisitions and joint ventures, drafting and review of supplier and vendor contracts, safety management systems, data retention, governmental outreach, and regulatory compliance of autonomous vehicle systems and operations at state and federal level.
  • Negotiated supplier and third-party contracts in support of research and development and operational implementation of aviation initiatives, including ground handling contracts, airline operating agreements, and aircraft leasing documents.
  • Assisted clients with environmental approvals and compliance with FAA design standards for airport development projects.
  • Provided clients with practical guidance on creation of in-house business aviation departments, including policy development and regulatory compliance.

Background

Jeff is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. He received his Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in History from the University of Virginia. He also has a Bachelors degree in Physics from the United States Naval Academy.

He holds an Airline Transport Pilot license (ATP) and boasts a distinguish flying career in the United States Navy as a combat fighter pilot. Achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Jeff has over 2,000 total flying hours in the Navy’s Grumman F-14 Tomcat and Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet featuring operational assignments in California, Virginia and Japan.