DETROIT (9 June 2003) – Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C., Michigan’s largest and longest-established law firm, announced today the launch of an Aviation and Transportation Group. The new group will build on Miller Canfield’s existing experience in representing aviation and transportation-industry organizations, including commercial and on-demand air carriers, freight forwarders, corporate flight departments, banks and commercial lenders engaged in financing aircraft.
The group’s main mission is to help client’s achieve a competitive edge in a global economy. Historically, aviation and transportation issues have been an integral part of business operations. Miller Canfield is seeing an increase in the need for specialized services in this area, as competitive pressure to keep expenses to a minimum without sacrificing productivity has resulted in the rise of business aircraft and the expansion of the general aviation market. Additionally, businesses are increasingly aiming to minimize the risks associated with international customs and duties imposed by, or in the absence of, international trade agreements, such as NAFTA or other U.S. trade programs.
“With today’s demand for seamless delivery of equipment and personnel to key points of production, organizations are placing special attention on aviation and transportation issues to remain competitive in their respective industries,” said J. David Reck, principal at Miller Canfield and director of the new group. Reck has extensive experience in automotive and corporate law, with emphasis on international trade, customs, and immigration. He is also a licensed pilot and retired U.S. Naval Aviator and a member of the Aircraft Owners’ and Pilots’ Association; the Michigan Aeronautics Commission, General Aviation Committee; and the Livingston County Aeronautical Facilities Board.
Assisting Reck in leading the group is Donald L. Katz, senior attorney in Miller Canfield’s Detroit office. Katz recently joined Miller Canfield from the Detroit law office of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer and Weiss, P.C., where he was vice chairman of its Aviation Practice Group. He possesses a strong background in business and finance transactions involving aircraft, as well as experience with federal and state taxation issues including sales and use tax, and federal excise tax.
“Our experience is what sets us apart,” said Thomas W. Linn, CEO, Miller Canfield. “To provide legal counsel in the most valuable and cost-effective manner, the new group offers clients a strong, multi-disciplinary team of experienced attorneys with expertise in business and finance, automotive, public law, real estate, and banking, as well as aviation and transportation.”
For more information on Miller Canfield’s Aviation and Transportation Group, contact J. David Reck at 517/546-7600 or reck@millercanfield.com.
The 300-attorney law firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. was established in Detroit in 1852 and has offices in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Howell, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Monroe, and Troy, Michigan. Other offices are located in New York City, Pensacola, Florida, Washington, D.C., Windsor, Ontario, and in Gdynia, Katowice, and Warsaw, Poland. Visit www.millercanfield.com.
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