Overview
(September 12, 2016, Washington, DC) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce that Dane Jaques, who has defended clients in more than 30 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and foreign accident investigations, has joined the firm’s Washington office as a partner. Mr. Jaques will work with both the firm’s pipeline and transportation practices.
For nearly 30 years, Mr. Jaques has successfully represented dozens of clients in air carrier, general aviation, and pipeline accident investigations conducted by the NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US Chemical Safety Board, and many foreign accident investigation authorities. He has been lead counsel in five pipeline NTSB investigations. In addition, Mr. Jaques advises many pipelines on preparedness and safety regulatory issues.
Mr. Jaques has also represented aviation companies in tort and business litigation pending in state courts, federal courts, and before several US administrative agencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), FAA, and NTSB. He regularly conducts corporate investigations and has handled many FAA and TSA enforcement actions against aviation concerns and their employees. Mr. Jaques has led many corporate investigations and has served as an expert witness on aviation law in foreign proceedings.
“Dane’s representation of aviation and pipeline companies in investigations before the NTSB and other agencies closely mirrors the core work of our pipeline and transportation practices,” said Phil West, chair of Steptoe. “His arrival will better position the firm to handle the defense of clients before the NTSB, as well as strengthen our team in addressing the other federal and state agency investigations and civil litigation that can follow from a significant incident.”
Mr. Jaques joins a multi-disciplinary team Steptoe has assembled to assist clients in connection with accidents and releases involving pipelines, terminals, refineries and other facilities handling potentially hazardous substances. The team, which features lawyers from the pipeline, environmental, transportation, white collar and civil litigation practices, has worked together for the past six years to assist clients in connection with such accidents, which require close coordination among counsel in a variety of fields.
Mr. Jaques commented: “Steptoe’s pipeline and transportation practices are both at the top of their field, with deep experience in both regulatory matters and litigation. I am very excited to join this team to expand and build upon my practice.”
Mr. Jaques is a former FAR Part 135 captain and flight instructor with more than 3,000 flight hours. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Rating (single and multiengine land); Flight Engineer Certificate (turbojet); Certified Flight Instructor Certificate (Airplane, Instrument and Multiengine -- Gold Seal, 1978-1989); and a Ground Instructor Certificate (Instrument and Advanced).
In addition to providing legal services, Mr. Jaques co-founded and operated several small businesses, including a flight school and an insurance claim service. He also founded a charity, the Catastrophic Illness Assistance Foundation, and served as its first general counsel.
Mr. Jaques has been recognized in The Legal 500 for his work in the area of Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Aerospace/Aviation and in Chambers USA for Aviation Litigation. He is a frequent speaker on disaster response, NTSB and FAA regulatory matters and Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Mr. Jaques received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota.
About Steptoe
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Phoenix and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.