# Top 6 Aviation Law Firms in Texas (2026)

Texas is home to some of the nation's most accomplished aviation attorneys — from plaintiff-side crash litigators to boutique transactional specialists handling private jet acquisitions and FAA compliance. Whether you've been injured in an aviation accident or need counsel on an aircraft purchase, these six firms stand out for their depth of expertise, track records, and dedication to the aviation community.

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## 1. Slack Davis PLLC — Texas

**Best for: Aviation accident litigation, wrongful death, catastrophic injury**

When it comes to aviation law in Texas, Slack Davis PLLC sits at the top. Founded in 1993 by Michael L. Slack, Mike Davis, and the late Tom H. Davis, the Austin-based firm was built on a simple but powerful premise: clients facing catastrophic aviation accidents deserve lawyers who actually understand how aircraft systems work.

That technical depth is unmatched. Managing Partner Michael Slack is a former NASA aerospace engineer and licensed pilot with more than 36 years of litigation experience. Slack is Board Certified in Aviation Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a credential held by only a handful of attorneys in the entire state.

The firm has litigated hundreds of aviation cases across every category: major commercial airline disasters, private plane crashes, helicopter accidents, air ambulance tragedies, and air tours. Over three decades, Slack Davis has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients and has been recognized annually in Best Lawyers® in America across multiple practice areas, including Aviation Law and Personal Injury Litigation. Attorneys hold AV Preeminent® ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and are consistently named to Super Lawyers and Top Attorneys in Austin lists.

With an office in Austin, and the capability to litigate in federal and state courts nationwide, Slack Davis PLLC is the go-to firm for anyone facing the aftermath of a serious aviation incident in Texas.

**Office:** Austin
**Website:** slackdavis\.com

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## 2. Cowles & Thompson — Dallas

**Best for: Aviation defense litigation, manufacturer and operator representation**

A Dallas mainstay with over 25 years of aviation litigation experience, Cowles & Thompson is a respected mid-size regional firm with a strong aviation defense practice. The firm routinely represents aircraft manufacturers, maintenance and repair facilities, component manufacturers, and general aviation clients in state and federal court proceedings.

Cowles & Thompson has earned recognition from Chambers USA (2022–2024) for Commercial Litigation and is well-regarded for combining sharp trial skills with a comprehensive understanding of aviation industry operations. Their attorneys are seasoned in defending claims related to product liability, manufacturer defects, negligent maintenance, and complex multi-party aviation disputes. For aviation companies, operators, and insurers seeking an experienced defense firm in the Dallas market, Cowles & Thompson is a premier choice.

**Office:** Dallas
**Website:** cowlesthompson\.com

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## 3. Hendershot Cowart P.C. — Houston

**Best for: Aviation transactions, FAA regulatory compliance, aviation business litigation**

Hendershot Cowart P.C. is a Houston-based boutique firm that has served the aviation community since 1987. With over 100 years of combined attorney experience, the firm offers transactional counsel and litigation support for aircraft buyers and sellers, lessors, operators, and aviation businesses throughout Texas and nationally.

The firm is notably distinctive for being both legal practitioners and aircraft owners themselves — a real-world perspective that informs their transactional work on purchase agreements, FAA registration, aircraft financing, and lease structuring. Their aviation litigators also handle breach of contract disputes, enforcement actions, and regulatory compliance matters, while their broader commercial litigation team adds depth for complex multi-issue cases. Hendershot Cowart blends boutique accessibility with big-firm expertise, making it a strong option for aviation clients in the Houston and Gulf Coast markets.

**Office:** Houston
**Website:** hchlawyers\.com

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## 4. Private Aircraft Legal Services P.C. — Dallas

**Best for: Private jet transactions, aircraft brokerage disputes, international aviation matters**

Headquartered at the Business Jet Center in Dallas — literally located on the tarmac — Private Aircraft Legal Services P.C. is about as niche as it gets. This boutique firm is exclusively dedicated to private aviation law, offering transactional and litigation services for buyers, sellers, brokers, and operators of private aircraft.

Managing attorney Kerry Jackson Adams brings over 20 years of hands-on aviation experience and holds an adjunct faculty position at the University of North Texas Law School at Dallas teaching business torts. The firm handles aircraft purchase and sale agreements, owner trust structures (including non-citizen trusts), Part 135 charter acquisitions, broker commission disputes, and FAA registration and regulatory matters. Bilingual attorneys handle domestic and international transactions alike — an important asset in the global private jet market. For clients focused specifically on private aircraft transactions, this firm offers specialized expertise few others can match.

**Office:** Dallas (Business Jet Center)
**Website:** privateaircraftlaw\.com

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## 5. Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP — Texas (Multiple Offices)

**Best for: Aircraft financing, leasing, transactional aviation law**

Shackelford, McKinley & Norton is a Texas-based boutique firm with a dedicated aviation law practice led by David T. Norton. With more than 70 combined years of corporate and law firm experience between its partners, the firm focuses on the financing, leasing, and transactional side of aviation — an underserved but critical niche.

The firm assists clients in domestic and international private aircraft financing, including dry leases, wet leases, operating leases, and secured transactions. They work with banks, lenders, borrowers, lessors, and lessees and are well-versed in optimizing regulatory compliance, tax structuring, and accounting results under real market pressures. When disputes arise, their litigators also advise aviation clients through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation. For aviation finance and leasing matters, Shackelford McKinley & Norton is one of Texas's most focused boutique resources.

**Offices:** Texas (multiple locations)
**Website:** shackelford\.law

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## 6. Ted B. Lyon & Associates — Mesquite (Dallas–Fort Worth Metro)

**Best for: Aviation accident plaintiffs, wrongful death, personal injury litigation**

Founded by veteran trial attorney and former Texas state senator Ted B. Lyon Jr., this Mesquite-based boutique firm brings more than 50 years of plaintiff-side trial experience to aviation accident cases. Ted Lyon holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected to the Super Lawyers list, with aviation and aerospace among his recognized practice areas.

The firm handles commercial airline crashes, private plane accidents, and helicopter accidents, as well as the complex product liability and wrongful death claims that often accompany them. With nine office locations across Texas — including Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, and more — the firm ensures geographic accessibility for clients across the state. Their contingency-fee model means clients pay nothing unless the firm wins, making quality aviation legal representation accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

**Offices:** Mesquite, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, Lubbock, and more
**Website:** tedlyon\.com

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*Note: This list focuses on Texas-based firms with recognized aviation law practices. Firm rankings are editorially determined based on specialization, credentials, peer recognition, and track record. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.*