Alexander Matthews

Full Profile

Alexander (Alex) Matthews acts as regulatory, transactional, commercial, enforcement, and public policy counsel to transportation sector clients, including domestic and international airlines, aerospace companies, lenders/lessors, investors, technology companies, airport developers, private aviation stakeholders, and other aviation companies. He has assisted clients with licensing, operational, regulatory compliance, and enforcement matters before a number of federal agencies. 

Alex also advises clients on complex transactions, commercial relationships, litigation, investigations, audits, and major enforcement actions. He provides strategic advice to clients on emerging public policy and regulatory matters, including government grants, licensing, competition, enforcement, and new technologies. Alex has extensive experience advising longstanding and new entrant clients in the Advanced Air Mobility sector, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operators, developers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Prior to joining the firm, Alex was a transportation and commercial associate at a top-ranked firm in Washington, DC. Previously, he served as Policy Staff for four years with the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Admissions

• District of Columbia

Education

• J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2015. Executive Editor, Virginia Journal of Law and Technology; President, Student Bar Association.
• B.A., Kenyon College, 2008

Memberships

• American Bar Association Forum on Air & Space Law
• District of Columbia Bar Administrative Law and Agency Practice

Experience

• Acted as aviation regulatory counsel for an investor in connection with a transaction in the aviation sector, including advice regarding customer contracts, government funding, compliance obligations, airport security and operational matters, and consent of regulatory authorities.
• Advised a leading aerospace company on a major transaction, including advice regarding licensing transfer matters, products liability, and multiple transaction agreements.
• Acted as aviation regulatory counsel for a leading investment firm in connection with its strategic acquisition of companies in the UAS and counter-UAS technology and solutions sectors, including advice regarding licensing, compliance, operational, and commercial considerations.
• Advised lenders, investors, and stakeholders in connection with major transactions in the aviation sector, including advice regarding transaction structures, compliance with US DOT citizenship requirements, and related compliance and commercial considerations.
• Advised an eVTOL aircraft developer in connection with regulatory and commercial matters, including a sale and purchase agreement for prospective customers.
• Advised interested parties regarding airport regulatory, commercial, and transactional matters, including FAA grant assurances and various compliance obligations.
• Advised real estate and infrastructure developers regarding aviation regulatory compliance matters, including FAA airspace obstruction requirements. 
• Acted as aviation regulatory counsel for an international conglomerate in connection with an investment in a vertically integrated commercial space transportation and infrastructure company, including advice regarding launch and re-entry licensing, communications, airspace approvals, customer contracts, and infrastructure requirements.

Publications

• “A New Horizon in UAS Regulation: Remote Identification and Operations Over People,” The Air & Space Lawyer, Volume 34, Number 1, 2021.