Michael (“Mike”) Kolich is a partner at Jetlaw, LLC®. He represents clients on a range of aviation issues, including the purchase and sale of business jets and FAA regulatory compliance. As a pilot himself, Mike understands both the enjoyment and complexities of aircraft operations allowing him to develop solutions that maximize the client experience.
When Mike is not closing deals or reading the FARs, you can find him on the baseball field coaching his 9-year-old team, in the sky looking for the next $100 hamburger, or riding dirt bikes with his family and friends. Mike is the proud father of Austin who is a natural in the right seat and will be forever grateful to his wife Angie who has supported all things aviation since day one.
Prior to joining the firm, Michael interned for the Honorable John W. Lungstrum for the United States District Court in Kansas and worked as a Catastrophe Adjuster and Claims Supervisor for a large insurance company. Michael has also served proudly as a Staff Sergeant in the Kansas Air National Guard. He was deployed on several overseas missions where he ensured the mission readiness of military aircraft. During law school, Mike participated in the Washburn Law Journal and earned the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Contracts, Torts, and Writing for Law Practice.
Michael’s practice includes:
- Advising on the sale and purchase of domestic and foreign jet aircraft and helicopters for publicly traded companies, small business, home offices, individuals, and original equipment manufacturers.
- Negotiating dry leases, time share and interchange agreements, management and services agreements, Part 135 charter agreements, hangar leases, airport leases, owner financing, joint ownership, pilot and employee agreements, manufacturer “lemon” buy-back hold harmless agreements, and broker agreements.
- Assisting with the formation of complex aircraft related business relationships between aircraft owners, charter operators, business owners, and special purpose end users.
- Negotiating fractional ownership agreements.
- Structure FAA and DOT compliant aircraft operating structures with a focus on maximizing tax benefits.
- Establishing owner trusts and limited liability companies to facilitate aircraft ownership
- Negotiating financing documents for traditional credit or asset based financing, lease-back financing, and synthetic leases.
- Advising airport authorities on safety and usage policies, including obligations with accepting federal funding.
- Advising on federal and state tax responsibilities when purchasing, selling, and operating business aircraft.
Education
Washburn University School of Law, JD
Baker University, MBA
