Elaine Solomon is the co-chair of Blank Rome’s aviation practice. She concentrates her practice in the areas of aviation law and litigation, product liability and tort litigation. Elaine also has a background in labor and employment law. She has represented airlines, airports, product manufacturers, and general aviation clients in a vast array of matters for more than 25 years. The touchstone to Elaine’s approach to clients is personalized legal services and responsiveness to client needs. Her experience includes:

• Negligence and product liability suits arising out of accidents involving commercial and general aviation aircraft, ground equipment, and airport facilities and systems
• Litigation involving aircraft engines, component parts, aviation products/equipment, and avionics for commercial, charter, general aviation, and military aircraft
• Personal injury, breach of contract, and other claims arising out of design and construction of airport facilities 
• Hull, property damage, contribution/indemnity, subrogation, and insurance coverage opinions and disputes
• A cross- practice approach to UAS-related legal, regulatory, insurance, and risk management issues
• Claims involving FBOs, MROs, repair/service facilities, flight schools, air show operators, and ground services providers
• Passenger claims including “air rage,” disruptive passengers, flight crew interference, denied boarding, and flight and tarmac delays
• Airport/airline/passenger TSA safety and security issues
• Airline bankruptcy claims and agreements for insured claims
• Negotiation and litigation of airline-airport leases, third party contractor and/or vendor agreements, and Master Services Agreements
• Compliance with and claims involving FARs, Air Carrier Access Act, DOHSA, Admiralty, and other federal laws and international treaties, as well as associated federal preemption, forum non conviens, and conflict of law issues
• Assistance with FAA, NTSB, and international accident investigations and proceedings

Elaine’s background in labor/employment law and litigation, includes:

• State and federal discrimination claims and grievances at the administrative and court levels
• RLA grievances and lawsuits
• Seniority and benefits disputes
• Wage and hour matters
• Lawsuits and claims against air carriers alleging discrimination based on nationality, sexual orientation, and/or religious practices, including third party complaints filed with DOT
• Union representation issues, unfair labor practice charges, and union grievances

Certifications:

• Certified, FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test Training Course/Passed Test

Elaine serves on the board of editors for the newly launched publication, RAIL: The Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law (Fastcase). She also frequently presents at industry conferences, with previous engagements including the American Conference Institute’s 6th Annual Forum on Defending and Managing Aviation Claims & Litigation, where she gave a presentation on “The Present and Future Landscape of Drone Usage, Regulation, Integration and Litigation,” and the SMU Air Law Symposium, where she spoke on “Drones: The Good, the Bad, and What About the Ethics” and “Criminalization of Air Disasters: What Goal, If Any, Is to Be Achieved?”

Outside the Firm

Elaine has served as a commissioner and coach for Upper Dublin Intramural Soccer.