William Karas

Partner

• wkaras@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Bill Karas is a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he is a member of the Regulatory & Industry Affairs Department. His principal practice area is focused on the representation of airlines in a variety of regulatory and commercial settings.  On the economic regulatory side, he handles matters within the purview of the Department of Transportation, including route authorizations, strategic airline alliances, CRS disputes, citizenship issues, airports fee disputes, air political matters, and a variety of rulemakings and regulatory initiatives of interest to airline clients.  In addition, Mr.  Karas has extensive experience in the antitrust area, particularly with respect to the airline industry.  On the safety side of the regulatory picture, he represents clients on Federal Aviation Administration matters such as security programs, repair stations, and compliance with maintenance standards.

Mr. Karas' commercial practice for aviation clients includes negotiations and advice in connection with aircraft financing and leasing, aircraft/engine purchase agreements, and workouts with aircraft and engine providers.  He also counsels clients on a variety of business law issues arising from the acquisition of companies involved in industries that are ancillary to the airline business.

Mr. Karas has written and spoken on a number of topics in the transportation law field, including a study on the international law implications of the US gambling ban on international flights.  In April 2002 he authored "Recent US Regulation of Foreign Airline Practices—Impermissibly Unilateral or Not?"  He is a member of the International Aviation Club and a former President of the Maritime Administrative Bar Association. 

Publications

• Recent US Regulation of Foreign Airline Practices: Impermissibly Unilateral or Not?
  The Air & Space Lawyer, ABA Forum on Air and Space Law, Volume 16, Number 4, Spring 2002