Mr. Mark Atwood is a partner in the firm specializing
in legal issues affecting the aviation and
aeronautics industries. He represents a broad variety of clients, including U.S. and
foreign airlines, airports, leasing companies, aerospace manufacturers, repair stations
and airline investors before the courts, regulatory agencies and Congress. He also
counsels U.S. clients in their regulatory affairs before foreign governments, advises
airlines in financial structuring, and
represents parties to aircraft acquisition
transactions.
Professional Background
Mr. Atwood joined Sher & Blackwell in 1996 and has
developed the firm's aviation practice since that time. He has been involved in a variety
of developments in the aviation industry, from airline mergers and formation of new air
carriers to development of FAA rules and policies on aircraft safety and security. Mr.
Atwood has participated as a member of the U.S. delegation in the negotiation of a number
of international air transport agreements, advised a number of clients doing business in
China and the former Soviet Union, lectured representatives of the Chinese government,
airline industry and airport management on regulation of aviation, and advised foreign
governments on civil aviation matters. Currently he serves as an aviation advisor to the
government of a major Asian nation and is assisting in the organization and certification
of several new U.S. and foreign airlines.
Mr. Atwood began his career with the U.S. Civil
Aeronautics Board in 1978 - two weeks before the signing of the Airline
Deregulation Act. At the CAB, he advised the Board on environmental,
regulatory and antitrust matters affecting U.S. and foreign airlines.
After three years in government, Mr. Atwood moved into private practice,
joining the Washington office of a New York firm as an associate,
and subsequently became a partner in a Washington-based firm specializing
in transportation.
Practice
Areas
Administration
Aviation
Government Relations
International law
Travel & Tourism
Professional Affiliations/
Associations
Admitted to practice in the District of Columbia
and California
Member of the Bars of the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 9th,
10th, 11th and District of Columbia Circuits
American Bar Association, ABA Forum on Air & Space Law
Inter-American Bar Association
American Society of International Law
International Aviation Club
Publications/Articles
"The Consequences of Airline
Mergers", U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board, 1982; “The European
Look in Noise Regulations,” BNA Noise Regulation Reporter; “Opening
the Door to Indochina (Slowly),” The Air & Space Lawyer;
“European and U.S. Developments
in Noise Regulations,” Commercial Aviation Value Report,
December 1998; “EU Hushkit Rule is Not the Answer,” (guest
editorial) The Parliament Magazine, 28 April 1999. "The
British Airways - American Airlines Alliance," November 1996;
"How Common is Private
Carriage", CCH Issues in Aviation Law and Policy, April 2004.
Mr. Atwood is a frequent speaker on aviation environmental
issues and industry trends.
Education
University of Southern California, J.D., 1978.
Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland A.B., magna cum laude, 1974
