Awards & Rankings 12.11.25
Recognized by Chambers USA as a Band 1 leading aviation lawyer, Pillsbury partner Charles Donley’s wide-ranging practice encompasses aviation regulatory and commercial matters, counseling and litigation.
Leader of Pillsbury’s Aviation, Aerospace & Transportation and Unmanned Aircraft Systems practice teams, Charles’ global aviation clients include airlines, manufacturers, service providers, airports, tour operators, trade groups, aircraft brokers and foreign governments. He handles licensing, enforcement and operating matters; sale and lease transactions; joint alliance and marketing agreements; negotiation of commercial agreements; and litigation of government and commercial claims. Charles regularly appears before the DOT, FAA, NTSB, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security (CBP and TSA), Department of Agriculture, and state and local agencies. He also prosecutes and defends aviation-related claims and disputes.
Representative Experience
- Counsels and represents Asian, Latin American and European airlines in codesharing, bilateral, safety oversight and commercial and antitrust issues related to U.S. operations and strategic alliances involving major U.S. carriers.
- Represented Chinese-foreign joint venture carriers before the U.S. DOT, FAA, CBP and TSA in obtaining all approvals to operate to the United States.
- Advised a group of Latin American airlines in submitting an antitrust immunity application to the DOT in conjunction with a major U.S. carrier.
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- Served as special regulatory counsel to a major US carrier in aircraft and debt financings exceeding $1 billion, including transactions involving Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier aircraft.
- Advised Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on aviation regulatory matters relating to worldwide passenger and cargo operations.
- Advised Greater Bay Airlines on commencement of U.S. flight operations.
- Represented Aeromexico in U.S. Department of Transportation proceedings related to antitrust immunity granted to its joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
- Represented MIAT Mongolian Airlines in commencing new U.S. flight operations and advising on regulatory matters related to its proposed IPO.
- Represented KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in U.S. Department of Transportation proceedings concerning slot restrictions at Amsterdam Airport.
- Represented Amerijet International in a commercial venture with Maersk involving new cargo flights to Korea and China, advising on U.S. and China regulatory matters, aircraft leases and restructuring proceedings before the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Represented several major international airlines in advising on FAA overflight restrictions and potential U.S. Department of Transportation enforcement actions relating to alleged violations.
- Represented a major multinational airline holding company in advising on acquisitions of additional airlines and expansion of its joint venture alliance with Delta Air Lines.
- Represented an investment firm in connection with strategic investments in U.S. and foreign airlines.
- Represented an international cargo airline in providing U.S. antitrust and aviation regulatory advice in connection with corporate restructuring and reporting matters.
- Represented multiple foreign airlines in advising on U.S. operational and regulatory matters.
- Represented multiple major foreign airlines in advising on U.S. regulatory requirements relating to conditions of carriage and related operational limitations.
- Represented a group of Asian and European airlines before the TSA in an enforcement case pertaining to cargo transportation.
- Represented an investment management firm in advising on U.S. Department of Transportation requirements relating to investments in U.S. air carriers and corporate jet acquisitions.
Professional Highlights
- Recognized by Chambers USA, Band 1, Aviation Regulatory (2016–2025).
- Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S., Aviation and Air Travel – Regulation (2018–2023) and listed as a Leading Lawyer (2019–2025). Client testimony in The Legal 500 U.S. 2020 notes that Charles is “most advanced and well informed about the aviation sector worldwide, on time performance and knowledge of the sector is most valuable.”
- Profiled as a key member of Pillsbury’s Latin Lawyer 250-ranked practice in the region.
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- Honors & Awards
- Noted in Who’s Who Legal Transport (2016–2021)
Education
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J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, 1988
A.B., Cornell University, 1982
Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
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District of Columbia
Courts
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit