James W. Hunt, Equity Partner

Jim has been litigating aviation-related cases for in excess of 30 years, and has been lead trial counsel on numerous large and complex cases during that time, including both multi-district and class action cases. Among them are the Air Canada in-Flight Fire Litigation, Covington, Kentucky; the TWA 843 rejected take-off accident at JFK; the American Airlines accident at Cali, Colombia; the Pepcon "AP" fires and explosions resulting in large subrogation claim in Las Vegas, Nevada; the Astrium telecommuncation satellites solar array litigation; the U.S. Air Force CT-43A (Ron Brown) crash at Dubrovnik, Croatia; the TAM Fokker 100 "thrust reverser" crash, Sao Paolo, Brazil; the Alaska Airlines Flight 261 "jackscrew" accident off-shore of California; a series of teetering rotor system helicopter "mast-bumping" cases; and different class actions involving damage to numerous general aviation engines.

Jim is a frequent lecturer at legal seminars (e.g., the ABA, Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, American Insurance Association, Embry Riddle, the American Conference Institute, and the Aircraft Builders Council), and his advice is sought by many clients regarding litigation, product integrity and loss prevention. He has been an instructor on legal subjects at the USC Aviation Safety Course.  He has been designated as an Outstanding Advocate by the Public Council Law Center for Public Council’s Children’s Rights Project, and is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell.

Jim is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in New Jersey, New York and California, as well as the United States Supreme Court.

Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1966 through 1970 and was a Helicopter Platoon Commander and Captain with the First Cavalry Division in 1968 – 1969.