Matthew J. Kalas is an attorney in Locke Lord’s litigation department and aviation practice group. Prior to entering the legal profession Mr. Kalas served as an engineering consultant on both government and privately funded ventures focusing on the analysis, design and manufacture of complex aircraft structures, component parts and systems for aircraft operated throughout North America, Europe, the Middle and Far East. Mr. Kalas’ experience includes working with FAA Certification Offices and Flight Standards District Offices in support of securing type certificate, production certificate and supplemental type certificate approvals.
As an attorney, Mr. Kalas has gained experience in aviation, product liability and transportation matters across multiple jurisdictions in trial and appellate courts in the U.S. and abroad. He has assisted in the defense of aircraft owners, lessors, operators, airports, repair facilities, and product manufacturers in general and commercial aviation disaster cases. Mr. Kalas also has experience defending cases implicating ITAR and OFAC regulatory schemes and involving requests under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties.
Education
- J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2003
- B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 1997
Bar Admissions
Admitted To Practice
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2003
Representative Experience
Mr. Kalas has been actively involved in the defense of claims arising out of a number of commercial aviation disasters, most recently including:
- Adam Air Flight 292
- Adam Air Flight 574
- Airblue Flight 202
- Flash Airlines Flight 604
- Garuda Flight 200
- Sudan Airways Flight 109
- Yemenia Airways Flight 626
Mr. Kalas assists in the defense of the security company that conducted pre-board passenger screening for American Airlines Flight 11 concerning claims arising out of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001;
Mr. Kalas also has experience:
- Defending OEM autopilot product manufacturer and supplier in subrogation action based on alleged design and manufacturing defects;
- Defending OEM supplier of engine component parts against wrongful death litigation arising from alleged design and manufacturing defects;
- Defending owner and operator of OTR trucking company in personal injury litigation arising from crash of tractor trailer;
- Representing insurers of satellite manufacturer in declaratory judgment actions concerning coverage for on-orbit failures of commercial satellites;
- Defending Canadian owner and operator of float plane in personal injury action arising from crash in Canadian wilderness;
- Defending owner and operator of aircraft refueling station in property damage and business interruption action arising from alleged supplying of wrong fuel type;
- Defending supplier of aircraft and runway deicing compound in property damage action arising from alleged foreign object damage to commercial aircraft turbofan.
Publications & Presentations
Professional History
- Associate, Locke Lord LLP
Professional Affiliations & Achievements
- Named, Illinois Rising Star, Super Lawyers magazine (2012-2013)
- Member, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
- 2009 Recipient, Center for Disability & Elder Law’s Eamon Shannon Special Education Award
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