Andrew Barr is an aviation- and aerospace-industry lawyer who guides his clients through the full life cycle of an issue. From contract negotiation to the final appeal, Andrew strives to obtain the most practical and cost-effective outcomes for his clients.
Andrew represents clients in both civil and regulatory matters and collaborates closely with his clients to craft and execute a uniform strategy that can be (if necessary) carried out in multiple forums. Given his training in international law, Andrew is well-suited to manage cross-border matters and has represented clients in disputes that spanned the globe, including resolving matters that were pending in other North American countries as well as countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and South America.
As a licensed fixed-wing and UAS (drone) pilot, Andrew focuses on issues related to the aviation and aerospace industries. He represents original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), government contractors, aircraft operators, and airport sponsors in contract negotiations; pre-litigation risk assessment; insurance-coverage disputes; private litigation and arbitration; and regulatory matters pending before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). Andrew also has robust experience helping operators and OEMs navigate incidents and accidents, including most recently working on matters related to EgyptAir Flight 804 and Atlas Flight 3591.
Andrew also routinely works with UAS and eVTOL companies, assisting them in negotiations and helping them complete regulatory or product-based risk assessments in order that these disruptive technologies can be deployed. Given his UAS training, Andrew understands the unique issues presented by these new technologies and helps his clients assess risk and develop mitigation efforts before a bet-the-business issue is encountered. Andrew’s clients are involved in some of the first drone delivery programs approved in the United States, he assists eVTOL component-parts manufacturers with risk-mitigation and insurance-coverage concerns, and he has negotiated cross-border agreements with and between UAS and eVTOL manufacturers and operators.
Andrew also represents commercial space companies with launch-related issues, from negotiations and approvals to dispute resolution. He helps national and international clients address the full spectrum of legal issues encountered in the development or deployment of space assets. This burgeoning area of the law is particular of interest to Andrew given the international (and beyond) implications associated with efforts to commercialize space.
Throughout his career working for companies in the aviation and aerospace industries, Andrew has experience litigating a wide variety of issues, including consumer class actions, mass actions, products-liability disputes, founders’ disputes, wrongful death, personal injury, and securities-related matters. In so doing, Andrew has developed expertise litigating issues related to the Federal Aviation Regulations, Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990, the Airline Deregulation Act, the government-contractor defense, primary jurisdiction, airport sponsor grant assurances, and other issues commonly faced by aviation- and aerospace-industry clients.
Post-trial, Andrew continues to work with his clients. After clerking at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Andrew has represented clients in the U.S. Supreme Court, nearly every federal circuit (2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and D.C.), and many state appellate courts. Andrew’s appellate experience helps him develop a comprehensive case strategy from the outset of a dispute with the goal of ensuring that issues are not forfeited or waived at the trial court.
Andrew maintains an active pro bono practice, regularly accepting appellate appointments from the Sixth and Tenth Circuits. He also has briefed and argued several appeals alongside a non-profit focused on immigrants’ rights.
Judicial Clerkships
•Hon. Helene N. White, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2014-2015
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, 'Ones to Watch,' 2021-2024
•Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2021-2024
•Appellate Practice, 2024
•Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, 2024
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Transport: Aviation and Air Travel - Litigation and Regulation
•Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Colorado Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” 2019
