Wolff Speaks at New York City Bar Association 100 Years of Aviation Celebration

James Wolff, Counsel & Chair, Emerging Technologies Law Group, was a panelist at the celebration of 100 Years of Aviation Law at the New York City Bar Association, where he discussed strategies for structuring public-private financing in advanced air mobility — a key factor for industry growth and infrastructure development.

Held on February 12, the event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the future of air transportation, AAM, drones, commercial space, and sustainability.

Key Highlights:

• Matthew W. Daus – Chair, NYC Bar Transportation Law Committee & Partner/Chair at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP, expertly moderated discussions on aviation’s evolving legal landscape.

• Amanda Farías – NYC Council Majority Leader, addressed aviation priorities, including phasing out loud helicopters, noise monitoring, and integrating new mobility into public transit.

• Andrew Kimball – NYCEDC President & CEO, outlined the roadmap for eVTOL adoption, emphasizing workforce development, public education, and the multimodal Downtown Manhattan Heliport project.

Advanced Air Mobility & UAS Panel Highlights:

• Steven A. Spinello, Skyports – Discussed building a vertiport network in Dubai and key developments at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.

• Tim A. Pohle, Beveridge & Diamond – Shared strategies for tackling noise, visual impact, and clean energy challenges through community engagement.

• Trevor Simoneau, Embry-Riddle – Provided insights into FAA & local government roles in AAM regulation, zoning, and public concerns.