Gwendolyn Bjornson
Prescott Valley,AZ
Summary
Skilled in researching and interpreting legal documents, resolving disputes and successfully negotiating settlements. Manages multiple tasks, prioritizes efficiently and meets tight deadlines. Pilot, flight instructor and Aircraft Dispatcher.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Attorney
Davis Miles McGuire Gardner, PLLC
2006.10 - Current
- Practice focus: Aviation and transactional clients. Nominated Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona 2023. https://azbigmedia.com/business/top-100-lawyers-in-arizona-for-2023/
- Counsel aviation companies and licensed airmen in development of best practices to achieve regulatory compliance on federal, state and local levels of government.
- Negotiate and defend FAA certificate actions and civil penalties
- Review, draft, and negotiate commercial lease agreements for business owners including hangars and airport office space
- Draft and negotiate dry lease agreements, fractional share and flight training agreements
- Represent the Firm in aviation matters through speaking engagements at community events and on local news interviews
- Review insurance coverages and assist client in risk management decision making
- Research court decisions rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Assist clients in formation, governance and dissolution of business entities
- Analyze legal documents and identified pertinent issues for clients.
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements to prevent and settle litigation.
Sole Practitioner
Bjornson Law Firm
2003.10 - 2006.09
- Engaged in solo practice providing legal services in corporate law and taxation, commercial mediation, aviation, estate planning, family law, appellate, and consumer law.
Regulatory Compliance Manager/Legal Intern
Mesa Airlines, Inc
1998.10 - 2001.01
- Research, draft responses and filings reporting to the executive management team regarding FAA and SEC compliance, reporting and audits
- Researched and prepared memorandums ranging from municipal, state and federal regulatory compliance, employee labor issues, securities, training, risk management and employee benefits programs
- Assigned to draft responses to Federal Aviation Administration's Letter of Inquiries (LOIs)
- Investigation and factual documentation of defenses in civil litigation including employment, breach of contract, and regulatory complaints
- Developed and delivered training programs to inform new and current employees about compliance issues.
- Draft, review, and revise commercial real estate leases, aircraft leases, and procurement contracts.
Senior Flight Instructor
Flight Dimensions
1996.01 - 1997.01
- Supervision of flight instructors and staff, flight and ground support personnel
- Developed lesson plans and conducted ground training modules covering aircraft systems across normal, abnormal and emergency operations.
- Conducted training flights with students achieving private, commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and multi engine ratings
Author
Diamond Aircraft International
1993.01 - 1996.01
- Development and writing operational manuals, pilot manuals including revisions to FAA Approved Flight Manuals and training materials.
- Editor for Rod Machado Private Pilot Handbook
- Collaborated with June Bonesteel to create a workbook to compliment ab initio flight training materials
Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
Aeromech Flying Club
1989.01 - 1993.01
- Supervise flight instructors involved in flight and ground training
- Training commercial pilots for flight instructor certification
- Developed Ground School Curriculum and Flight Training Syllabus and Manuals
- Conduct CFAR Part 141 training phase checks
- Evaluate and approve new pilots to rent aircraft
- Liaison with the local FAA Flight Standards District Office
Accounting Office Manager
Aerospec, Inc
1988.01 - 1989.01
- Promoted to Accounting Office Manager from Customer Service Supervisor after initiating and collecting several hundred thousand dollars in aging accounts receivable
- Responsible for payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and management of customer service department.
Aircraft Dispatcher
International Air Service Company, IASCO
1987.01 - 1988.01
- Airline operated Boeing 727 aircraft on Emery Air Freight and Profit Air contracts, and Lockheed Electras on Logistic Air contract with the United States Air Force under CFAR Part 121 Supplemental Certificates.
Flight Controller and Aircraft Dispatcher
Eastern Metro Express Airlines
1985.01 - 1987.01
- Responsible for aircraft, flight crew and maintenance scheduling
- Operational Control Center
- Prepared and filed flight plans for Dehavilland Dash 8 aircraft operating under CFAR Part 121 and British Aerospace Jetstreams operating under CFAR Part 135
- Joint responsibility with Captains for safety of flights
- Weather briefer, load and fuel planner.
Aircraft Dispatcher & Assistant to Vice President of Operations
Pacific Coast Airlines
1983.01 - 1985.01
- Responsible for aircraft, flight crew and maintenance scheduling
- Operational Control Center
- Prepared and filed flight plans for Handley Page Jetstreams operating under CFAR Part 135 throughout California and Nevada
- Weather briefer, load and fuel planner.
Education
Juris Doctor (J.D.) -
Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Tempe, AZ05.2000
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Aviation Management
University of North Dakota, Center For Aerospace Sciences
Grand Forks, ND12.1982
Skills
- Case evaluation - federal and state law disputes
- Review, negotiate, and draft complex business agreements and settlement agreements
- Counsel clients on risk management, estate planning, and regulatory compliance
- Courtroom experience in state and municipal court litigation
- Public speaker on legal and aviation topics
- Dispute Arbitration
- Management experience in the aviation industry with airlines, flight schools, and fixed-based operators
- Flight, ground, and classroom instructor
- Author
- Legal Writing
Certification
- Certificated Flight Instructor with Instrument, single and multi-engine land
- Advanced Ground Instructor
- Aircraft Dispatcher
Affiliations
- State Bar of Arizona, Member in Good Stainding
- Internation Air Transportation Association
- National Business Aircraft Assocation
- Aircraft Owner’s and Pilots Assocation
- Ninety-nines, Inc. International Organization of Women Pilots
Publications
LLC Operating Agreements, Continuing Legal Education Speaker, NBI Phoenx, AZ https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/do-you-know-your-rights-as-a-passenger-and-the-airlines-rights-as-a-carrier Privatizing Air Traffic Control is Put In a Holding Pattern The Hottest Gift This Year Could Require a Pilot’s License DA20, Diamond Aircraft Katana, Approved Flight Manual, Editor and Contributor Private Pilot Manual, Rod Machado, Editor and Contributor DA 20, Diamond Aircraft Katana Quick Reference Guide, Co-author Diamond Aircraft Flight Training Syllabus, Co-author Flight Operations Manual for Pacific Coast Airlines, Editor and Contributor
Timeline
Attorney
Davis Miles McGuire Gardner, PLLC
2006.10 - Current
Sole Practitioner
Bjornson Law Firm
2003.10 - 2006.09
Regulatory Compliance Manager/Legal Intern
Mesa Airlines, Inc
1998.10 - 2001.01
Senior Flight Instructor
Flight Dimensions
1996.01 - 1997.01
Author
Diamond Aircraft International
1993.01 - 1996.01
Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
Aeromech Flying Club
1989.01 - 1993.01
Accounting Office Manager
Aerospec, Inc
1988.01 - 1989.01
Aircraft Dispatcher
International Air Service Company, IASCO
1987.01 - 1988.01
Flight Controller and Aircraft Dispatcher
Eastern Metro Express Airlines
1985.01 - 1987.01
Aircraft Dispatcher & Assistant to Vice President of Operations
Pacific Coast Airlines
1983.01 - 1985.01
Juris Doctor (J.D.) -
Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Aviation Management
University of North Dakota, Center For Aerospace Sciences
- Certificated Flight Instructor with Instrument, single and multi-engine land
- Advanced Ground Instructor
- Aircraft Dispatcher
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