Brandt R. Madsen

Brandt has been representing clients in all facets of the dynamic aerospace industry for over 25 years, matching their innovation with his own creative solutions. As a member of the firm’s Aerospace Industry Group, he provides services in corporate consultation, administrative and regulatory issues, insurance coverage and litigation. Brandt focuses on providing legal support services to the corporate aviation sector. Also, as the aerospace industry embraces the development of unmanned aerial systems [UAS], Brandt assists clients addressing a new set of issues arising from this emerging technology.

Brandt provides general counsel services for a number of aviation startups. He has helped marshal inventors’ ideas from concept to implementation throughout the commercial fleet. His advice includes negotiations with regulators and corporate partners, coordination of Intellectual Property issues and drafting of licenses, service agreements, and grants. In addition, Brandt has coordinated the administrative compliance and interfaced with regulators. Brandt also serves as an advisor to aviation manufacturers and service industry entities on a wide variety of commercial matters including but not limited to aircraft transactions, leases, financing agreements and outside general counsel services.

Brandt is an experienced trial attorney, and has brought dozens of cases to trial and through appeal, representing municipalities, corporations, small businesses and individuals. Brandt also has an active administrative practice, representing clients before administrative agencies, such as the FAA, FTC, NTSB, CFTC and the Department of Revenue. Brandt has been involved in many high profile air crash cases, successfully representing airport operators, air traffic controllers, operators and manufacturers. His aviation experience includes regulatory practice and working with the FAA and NTSB. Brandt represents airmen, corporate flight departments, air traffic controllers, airports, aircraft owners and operators, and FBOs (fixed base operators). He has also represented numerous airplane and helicopter pilots in enforcement actions brought against them by the FAA.

While Brandt finds great success in the courtroom, he is often able to resolve cases early in the litigation process via motions to dismiss or by negotiating settlement. In a recent high profile case, this meant keeping his client’s name out of the national news while the matter resolved behind the scenes.

Outside the office, Brandt and his family work with an international relief agency that helps refugees assimilate to life in the Chicago area and a not for profit that empowers community renewal through neighborhood-based entrepreneurs. He has worked with a state program, which educates city and suburban kids on the business of working farms. He also provides pro bono legal services to organizations that provide assistance to Chicago’s underserved communities.