Industry Focus
Aerial Firefighting Law
Effectus provides dedicated legal counsel to air tanker operators and helicopter companies navigating the complex intersection of federal contracting, aviation regulation, and wildland fire operations.
Schedule a ConsultationWhat We Do
Legal Services for Aerial Operators
From initial contract pursuit through dispute resolution, Effectus provides the full range of legal support aerial firefighting operators require to compete for and perform on federal wildland fire contracts.
Contract & Procurement
Guidance on U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and U.S. Wildland Fire Service solicitations — including contract formation, terms negotiation, and performance obligations for air tanker and helicopter operators.
Bid Protests
Strategic protest representation at the agency level, before the Government Accountability Office, and at the Court of Federal Claims — protecting our clients’ right to compete for aerial firefighting contracts on a fair and equal basis.
Regulatory Compliance
Counsel on FAA Part 137 operating certificates, Part 135 requirements, and other aviation regulatory obligations as they intersect with federal firefighting contracts and agency operational mandates.
Litigation & Disputes
Representation in contract disputes, certified claims, appeals before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, and enforcement actions arising from aerial firefighting operations.
Federal Agencies
We Practice Across the Full Agency Landscape
Effectus counsel has deep familiarity with the procurement frameworks, contract structures, and regulatory requirements of the federal agencies that acquire and oversee aerial firefighting assets — including the newly consolidated U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
- USFS — U.S. Forest Service
- DOI — U.S. Department of the Interior
- USWFS — U.S. Wildland Fire Service
- FAA — Federal Aviation Administration
Who We Represent
Trusted by Leading Aerial Operators
Effectus has served as legal counsel to some of the most active participants in the federal aerial firefighting marketplace, across both fixed-wing and rotary-wing operations.
- Single-Engine Air Tanker Operators
- Rotary-Wing & Helitack Operators
- Federal Wildland Fire Contractors
Representative Matters
Case Experience
Our attorneys have represented aerial operators in matters spanning federal procurement, bid and size protests, and agency investigations. The following anonymized summaries involve three different clients and are representative of that work.
Single-Engine Air Tanker Operator Through Federal Incident Investigation
Represented a single-engine air tanker (SEAT) operator through concurrent National Transportation Safety Board and Office of Aviation Services investigations arising from a serious aviation incident. The engagement required months of sustained coordination with company principals, agency contacts, and investigators. The operator preserved its operational status throughout.
Successful Agency-Level Protest for Rotary-Wing Operator
Prevailed in an agency-level bid protest on behalf of a large rotary-wing aerial firefighting company in connection with a federal wildland fire procurement.
Favorable Resolution of Small Business Size Protest
Represented a separate SEAT operator, unrelated to the client above, in a small business size protest implicating eligibility under the applicable size standard, obtaining a favorable resolution for the client.
Our Attorneys
Dedicated Aerial Firefighting Counsel
Our aerial firefighting practice is led by attorneys with specialized experience in federal contracting and aviation law as applied to wildland fire operations.
Lee Dougherty
Counsel to aerial firefighting operators in government contracting, bid protests, and regulatory matters before the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
Aerial Firefighting • Government ContractsBryan Short
Experienced in federal procurement litigation and regulatory compliance for aviation operators, with a focus on wildland fire contract disputes and agency enforcement actions.
Aerial Firefighting • Regulatory ComplianceReady to discuss your matter?
Contact Effectus to schedule a consultation with Lee Dougherty or Bryan Short.
Attorney advertising. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Viewing this page or contacting Effectus does not create an attorney-client relationship.