John Copley is a principal in the firm of Garofalo Goerlich Hainbach PC (GGH). He specializes in both domestic and international aviation commercial transactions and regulatory processes and proceedings.  John represents aircraft leasing companies, investment funds, aircraft owners, unmanned aerial vehicle owners and operators, on-demand air taxis, government contractors, public aircraft operators, aircraft management companies, fractional ownership program managers, aviation financiers, pilot schools and training centers, aircraft and parts manufacturers and repair stations.  His practice is focused on sale, lease and acquisition transactions for both aircraft and aviation assets such as air carriers, parts manufacturers, and repair stations. In addition, John regularly provides regulatory advice for aircraft operations and compliance with regulatory licensing and citizenship requirements, including the operation of public, state, and civil aircraft.

John has published various articles covering aviation topics such as FAA jurisdiction over the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, implication of regulatory changes regarding the operation of foreign civil aircraft, pre-purchase inspection liability, contractual consideration for repair stations, use of aircraft for charitable purposes, and simplified FAR Part 135 operations.  He regularly lectures on topics related to aviation regulations and transactional issues at regional and national forums including those sponsored by the National Business Aviation Association, Aeropodium, the Strategic Research Institute, and ALM.

John is a member of the tax committee of the National Business Aviation Association. He has also received recognition within the legal industry being named by ALM as one of Washington DC & Baltimore’s Top Rated Lawyers

Prior to joining GGH, John worked as an attorney for the firm of Jackson & Jessup, PC.  He earned a B.A., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University.  He received a DuPont Fellowship and his M.A. in Foreign Affairs and Government from the University of Virginia and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.  John is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and is an associate member of the Virginia State Bar.  He is fluent in English and Spanish, with ability in Portuguese.