Greg Reigel
by Gregory J. Reigel
Attorney At Law
As you may know, one of the benefits you can add onto your AOPA membership is membership in the Legal Services Plan (LSP). Recently, AOPA upgraded the LSP to a two-tiered structure – the Essential level and the PLUS level. The main differences in the LSP’s two levels are (1) the PLUS level provides higher limits on the number of hours that the LSP will cover (in most cases double the hours and a corresponding increase in fees; and (2) LSP panel attorneys are now permitted to charge covered members for attorney time spent beyond the hourly limits for those members in the Essential level (but not for those in the PLUS level). Changes in AOPA members’ benefits under the LSP will become effective as they join or renew their membership in the LSP.
What type of coverage do you get with the LSP? The LSP provides coverage that pays for attorneys’ fees for a variety of aviation legal matters including FAA enforcement actions, aircraft accidents, alcohol and drug testing, U.S. Customs matters, and certain aviation–related tax matters.
Members are entitled to unlimited consultation on most covered matters with the LSP’s legal staff and will also have qualified panel attorneys available to provide guidance and representation when needed. Additionally, members are able to receive legal advice on aircraft purchases or sales, and an annual review of key aviation documents including leaseback, hangar and tie-down agreements, and aircraft rentals.
Membership at the Essential level is $39/year and the PLUS level is $99/year. When compared with the amount of money you might otherwise spend on an attorney in an aviation legal matter, this is very affordable insurance!
For additional information, or to sign up for AOPA’s Legal Services Plan, call AOPA at 1-800-USA-AOPA, or visit www.aopa.org.
© Reigel Law Firm, Ltd.-Aero Legal Services 2002-Present. All rights reserved.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Greg Reigel is an attorney with Reigel Law Firm, Ltd., a law firm located in Hopkins, Minnesota, which represents clients in aviation and business law matters (www.aerolegalservices.com, 952-238-1060, greigel@aerolegalservices.com).
