Hamilton Rial has been involved in aviation his entire life. His parents were pilots, and he learned to fly as a teenager in a 1956 G Model Bonanza.. Hamilton has owned several aircraft, ranging from an especially slow Beech Musketeer to a Cessna 210. He currently owns a Cirrus SR-22 based at KEDC.

While attending SMU Law School, Hamilton served as Notes & Comments Editor of the Journal of Air Law & Commerce, generally regarded as the leading publication in the world concerning aviation law. Although much of J.A.L.C. dealt with part 121 operations, the Warsaw Convention, and IATA issues, they received and reviewed a variety of articles involving all areas of aviation law.

Aviation Law Experience

• General representation of Part 135 carriers in all aspects of their operations;
• Representation of Part 145 Repair Stations; particularly regulatory compliance matters and FSDO relationships;
• Representation of turbine aircraft purchasers and sellers;
• Representation of turbine aircraft lessors and lessees, including both wet and dry leases, as well as passenger and cargo leases;
• All aspects of aviation litigation, except for personal injury work. This category includes aircraft lease return condition litigation, physical damage litigation, aviation insurance coverage litigation, and aircraft damage litigation involving extensive use of aviation experts.
• Representation of pilots;
• Negotiation of fractional interest purchases and sales involving Flexjets (Bombardier), Netjets and flight Options(Raytheon);
• Negotiation of STC agreements;
• Drafting of co-ownership agreements, with focus on avoidance of “single purpose” entity traps, “operator” status and “compensation for hire” liability; and
• Interpretation of FAR’s and NTSB rules and cases;
• Representation of municipal airports;