Barbara E. Lichman (Managing Partner)

Barbara E. Lichman has extensive experience in successfully representing airports, air carriers, municipalities, developers, and other public and private entities in aviation, airport development, land use, environmental and regulatory litigation. Dr. Lichman’s specialized practice includes analysis of the impacts of airport expansion and the creation and application of Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans, or “ALUCPs.” As a registered Federal Lobbyist, Dr. Lichman successfully lobbied Congress for legislation granting investment tax credits for noise reduction of aircraft engines. Dr. Lichman earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Southern California School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Practice Areas

  • Airport Development Law
  • Land Use Law and Litigation
  • Environmental Law and Litigation
  • Aviation Law and Litigation

Professional Associations

  • Member, State Bar of California

Education

  • J.D. University of Southern California Law Center, 1988
  • Ph.D. Urban and Regional Planning, University of Southern California, 1986
  • Masters of Planning, University of Southern California, 1981
  • B.A. Brandeis University, 1967

Bar Admissions

  • Member, State Bar of California
  • Admitted U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California
  • Admitted Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Admitted Court of Appeals for the Third, Sixth, Ninth and District of Columbia Circuits

Steven M. Taber

Steven M. Taber represents clients in civil and commercial litigation, including aviation and environmental matters, in State and Federal courts.  He has extensive experience successfully representing a wide range of clients from small businesses to Fortune 100 corporations, and all types of governmental entities to privately and publicly held corporations. Prior to becoming an Assistant Regional Counsel with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handling environmental, airports and airport development litigation, Mr. Taber was an environmental law partner at the Chicago law firm of Ross & Hardies. 

Practice Areas

  • Airport Development Law
  • Environmental Law and Litigation
  • Aviation Law and Litigation
  • Commercial and Civil Litigation

Professional Associations

  • Member, State Bar of California
  • Member, Florida State Bar
  • Member, American Bar Association

Education

  • J.D. University of Michigan, 1986
  • M.A. in Political Science, University of Michigan, 1986
  • B.A. Michigan State University, 1981

Bar Admissions

  • California, 2007
  • Illinois, 1988
  • Florida, 1986

Berne C. Hart

Berne C. Hart has over 45 years of combined legal and aviation technical experience, including 20 years in U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, 11 years as an engineering and technical consultant to the aviation industry and 15 years of experience in both Federal and State litigation.

Practice Areas

  • Aviation Law and Litigation
  • Environmental Law and Litigation
  • Land Use Law and Litigation
  • Civil and Commercial Law and Litigation

Professional Associations

  • Member: American Bar Association – Litigation Section; Committee on Aviation Litigation; Committee on Ethics & Professionalism; Tort & Insurance Practice Section; Air & Space Law Forum; Section on Science & Technology; Aerospace Law Division
  • Lawyers-Pilots Bar Association
  • Marine Corps Aviation Association

Education

  • J.D. Western State University College of Law, 1987
  • Post-Graduate Studies, International and Comparative Law, Cambridge University, 1986
  • B.S.L. Western State University,1984

Bar Admissions

  • Member, California State Bar
  • Admitted California Supreme Court
  • Admitted U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California
  • Admitted U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Sixth, Ninth and D.C. Circuits