Jim Waldon
Managing Attorney
Direct: 206.612.7938
Fax: 206.420.5369
Email: Jwaldon@paramountlawgroup.com
Aviation and Business Law. Jim has extensive legal and management experience within the aviation industry, including Lead Counsel at Alaska Airlines and Senior Attorney at Trans World Airlines. He holds a commercial pilot license with over 2,500 hours and was the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of a regional Hawaiian airline, as well as Managing Partner of Waldon Law Group, a law practice with an aviation focus. His practice focuses on aircraft transactions and finance and Federal Aviation Administration regulatory matters, general business, and corporate law. He represents domestic airlines and business aircraft owners and operators. He assists clients in establishing appropriate operating structures for aircraft to comply with the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration regulatory requirements and has represented numerous clients in regard to participation in fractional ownership programs. Jim represents clients before the FAA in enforcement actions and assists in obtaining Part 135, 121, and 129 authority for commercial operators. Jim is frequently consulted by local media to discuss various aviation topics.
Real Estate. In addition to aviation, Jim has spent a significant amount of his practice focused on commercial and residential real estate. While at TWA Jim was the primary real estate attorney, In addition, while at Waldon Law Group, Jim operated a residential escrow business and represented many commercial and residential real estate clients on both sides.
Mediation and Arbitration. Jim is currently an arbitrator in the King County Mandatory Arbitration Program. Jim is also a mediator for the Washington State Department of Commerce Foreclosure Mediation Program and at the Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County. He is also a counselor in the Washington State Bar Association - Home Foreclosure Legal Aid program.
Admitted to Practice
Washington
Missouri (Inactive)
Academics
Washington University School of Law (J.D.)
University of Dubuque (B.S., Flight Operations, Minor in Aviation Management)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Aviation
International Law
Business
Mediation
Real Estate
Publications
"Falsification of Logs: Pilots Who Log Flight Time They Did Not Fly May Be Ending Their Aviation Careers" IATSBA Newsletter, November 18, 2018
"Business Aircraft Use Policy Guide," NBAA July 1, 2016
"How to Start an Airline," LPBA Law Journal, April 2016
"Part 91 vs. Part 135. Which Makes the Most Sense for Business Aircraft Operators?" May 30, 2013.
“The Washington State Fairness Foreclosure Act,” Mediation.com, November 2, 2011
“FAA Issues Final Rule – Comprehensive Changes to Aircraft Registration Requirements,” LPBA Law Journal, July 29, 2010
“FAA Proposes to Change Pilot Training Requirements,” Lane Powell Aviation Industry Legal Update, September 3, 2009
“TSA Proposal to Require General Aviation Security Programs,” Lane Powell Aviation Industry Legal Update, January 12, 2009
Speaking Engagements
"The Process of Creating a Commuter Airline", Seattle University School of Law, November 2018
"How to Start a Commuter Airline”, Pacific Northwest Aviation Law & Insurance Conference, October 2016
"How to obtain a Part 135 Commuter Certificate", Seattle Law School, September 2015
"The Pilots Bill of Rights - One Year Later", IATSBA Conference, November 2013
“The Legal Ramifications of Non-Compliance with the FARs”, Experimental Aircraft Association, October 2013
Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner, Puget Sound Chapter of ASIS International, May 2010 (Keynote)
“Introduction to Aviation Law”, ITT Technical Institute, April 2010
“Proposed Pilot Training Regulatory Changes,” Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association Conference, February 2010
“The Passenger Bill of Rights,” Pacific Northwest Aviation Law & Insurance Seminar, September 2007
“New Airline Service between Portland and Seattle,” Portland CBS affiliate KOIN, June 2008 (Television interview)
“Current Developments in Airline Travel,” Seattle FOX News 13, December 2007 (Television interview)
“The Passenger Bill of Rights,” Seattle FOX News 13, September 2007 (Television interview)
“Airline Delays: What is the Cause?” Seattle FOX News 13, September 2007 (Television interview)
Professional and Community Activities
International Air and Transportation Safety Bar Association - Past President
National Business Aviation Association - Board Member - Regulatory Issues Advisory Group
Northwest Aviation Insurance Association - Past President
Panel Attorney, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Lawyer Pilots Bar Association - Acting Northwest Regional Vice President
Washington State Bar Association - Member
King County Bar Association - Past President, Aviation Section
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) - Member
Pacific Northwest Business Aircraft Association (PNBAA) - Member
Panel Attorney, Epilepsy Foundation
Epilepsy Foundation NW - Past Director