(214) 744-3200

Derrick J. Hahn

Lead Attorney

Derrick J. Hahn

Lead Attorney

Contacts

(214) 744-3200
dhahn@hahnlawfirm.com

Derrick Hahn earned his law degree after spending more than 15 years in the aviation industry as an A & P Mechanic/IA and general manager of an FBO (Fixed Base Operation) in Phoenix, Arizona.

He became a lawyer specializing in aviation law because, when the need arose, he could never find a lawyer that understood aviation-related business and regulatory issues. After spending several years practicing law in Nebraska, Hahn relocated to Dallas and created the Hahn Law Firm. He received his law degree from the University of Nebraska and earned his BS in Aviation Management and MBA degrees from Western International University in Phoenix.

He is uniquely qualified to provide expertise and experienced legal services to clients with aviation related matters.  He has represented pilots, mechanics, repair stations, and charter operators against enforcement actions by the FAA, some of which were before the NTSB and various US Courts of Appeal.  He has himself been an expert witness for other law firms in aviation related cases litigated by those firms.

Education

Juris Doctor—Law, May 1998
University of Nebraska College of Law—Lincoln

MBA International Business, July 1995; 3.75 GPA
Western International University—Phoenix, Arizona

Bachelor of Science—Aviation Management, May 1994; 3.98/4.00 GPA
Western International University—Phoenix, Arizona

Professional Licenses

Admitted to the Nebraska State Bar, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, the State Bar of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

  • Commercial Pilot License
  • Airplane Single Engine Land Rating
  • Airplane Multi-engine Land Rating
  • Instrument Airplane Rating
  • Flight Instructor—Single Engine & Multi-engine Airplane
  • Instrument Flight Instructor
  • Advanced/Instrument Ground Instructor
  • Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic License
  • FAA Inspection Authorization

Experience

Nov 2000 to Present
Hahn Law Firm, P.C., Dallas, Texas
Managing Attorney. Commercial litigation, aviation law, bankruptcy, and property.

Sept 1998 to May 2000
Butler, Galter & O’Brien Law Firm, Lincoln, Nebraska
Associate. Performed all aspects of commercial litigation, appeals, and aviation law. Wrote briefs
and argued cases in front of the Nebraska Court of Appeals, Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the 8th
Circuit, and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

June 1980 to May 1995
Cactus Aviation, Inc., Mesa, Arizona
Owner/General Manager. Directed activities of 14-person aircraft maintenance team providing
services to a wide range of clients to include owner/operators through large corporate accounts.
Established and maintained Latin American and European accounts. Guided company’s 20 percent
annual growth while maintaining net profits.

Honors & Professional Activities

  • AOPA Panel Attorney
  • NTSB Bar Association
  • Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • Delta Theta Phi
  • International Law Society
  • Outstanding Student of the Year 1994: Western International University
  • Graduated Summa Cum Laude: Western International University
  • Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges 1993-1994
  • Delta Mu Delta, National Honor Society: Inducted July 1993
  • Rice School of Aviation: Member, Board of Advisors

Publications

“General Aviation Aircraft Insurance: Provisions Denying Coverage for Breaches that do not
Contribute to the Loss,” Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Vol. 64, No. 3, Spring 1999, pp. 675-
702.