Overview
Not long ago the future of an international aircraft manufacturer’s business was on the line. It had been drawn into a federal wrongful death/product liability case that was the first of its kind to ever to go trial. After three weeks defending the manufacturer in federal court, Alan Farkas obtained a defense verdict, saving the manufacturer’s business and, likely, the business of many others like it. In fact, Alan was so persuasive in his defense that one of the jurors bought one of manufacturer’s aircraft following the trial.
Alan has been successfully litigating complex, high profile aviation and commercial matters like this for more than 20 years. He advises corporations, pilots, airports, and municipalities on regulatory and statutory compliance, formation and organization and liability protection. In the courtroom, he defends clients against claims of negligence, breach of warranty, premises liability and product liability related most often to personal injuries, death or property damage. His clients operate through the U.S., Europe and Australia. Alan has also become deeply involved in representing pilots and manufacturers of model aircraft, drones, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Alan has also been quite effective when litigating on behalf of our transportation clients. Among other matters, Alan has successfully litigated commercial transportation disputes, international shipping disputes, loading and unloading injuries, and a variety of catastrophic personal injury claims.
Alan is regarded as a tenacious trial lawyer who employs a creative, efficient and strategic approach to his cases. He maintains a philosophy that all parties to a legal issue should be dealt with fairly and respectfully.
Prior to joining Amundsen Davis, Alan founded and operated the highly respected aviation litigation firm, Madsen Farkas & Powen. Alan served for eight years as Village Trustee in Deerfield, Illinois, and is a member of the Legal Advisory Council of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Experience
Membership & Involvement
- Board Member: Educational Foundation of the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA)
- Charter Member: Aviation Law Institute of America (ALIA)
- Past President: Aviation Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association
- Fellow: American Bar Foundation, inducted 2018
- Committee Member: Drone Committee of the Flight School Association of North America
- Member: Chicago Bar Association; Illinois State Bar; American Bar Association; The Missouri Bar; Women in Aviation International; Airport Counsel International – North America; Lawyer Pilot Bar Association; Pi Sigma Alpha; Phi Kappa Sigma; Claims and Litigation Management Alliance; 7th Circuit Bar Association; EAA Legal Advisory Council
Honors
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated
- 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 To Watch, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2005
- Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers list: 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Selected by the Leading Lawyers Network as a "Leading Lawyer" in aviation law and transportation defense law
Resources & Insights
In the Media
Alerts
Speaking Engagements
Published Works
Firm News
- 30 SmithAmundsen Attorneys Included on 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists30 SmithAmundsen Attorneys Included on 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Congratulations to all of our attorneys named to the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers and 2022 Illinois Rising Stars lists!
- Amundsen Davis Attorneys Included in the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars ListAmundsen Davis Attorneys Included in the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
Amundsen Davis is pleased to announce the inclusion of 24 attorneys on the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers® and 2022 Illinois Rising StarsSM lists!
- FAA Enforcement ProcessFAA Enforcement Process
Watch Alan's recent webcast about the FAA enforcement process!
- Alan Farkas Recognized with the 2022 EAA Chairman’s AwardAlan Farkas Recognized with the 2022 EAA Chairman’s Award
Congratulations to Alan Farkas for winning the 2022 EAA Chairman’s Award!
Services
Education
Washington University School of Law, J.D., 1993
University of Denver, B.A., 1990
Admissions
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Missouri