Brent Elswick

Brent Elswick is a Member in Williams Kastner’s Seattle office, where he leads the Business Transactions/Tax/Securities team. He brings nearly 15 years of experience advising clients on various business law matters.

Brent has extensive experience in transactional aviation law, representing clients worldwide in the purchase, sale, lease, and financing of business aircraft. He advises clients on relevant FAA and DOT regulations, entity structuring to meet FAA and IRS rules, fractional and co-ownership arrangements, jet card membership programs, cross-border transactions, customs and tariff matters, as well as federal and state tax issues related to aircraft ownership and operation.  Brent’s work routinely involves drafting and negotiating letters of intent, purchase agreements, leases, management and hangar agreements, and various financing agreements. Brent counsels clients on compliance with Part 91 and Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the International Registry of Mobile Assets, and various insurance and risk management matters.

In addition to his aviation work, Brent assists clients with entity formation, governance, contracts, and other non-aviation risk management matters and also provides practical guidance on real estate, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.

Before joining Williams Kastner, Brent practiced with a preeminent Washington boutique aviation law firm and also served as General Counsel for a high-tech startup, where he managed litigation, contracts, and regulatory compliance. Brent has represented clients from Fortune 500 companies to small business owners.

• Washington State Bar Association
• King County Bar Association, Aviation Law Section, Board Member
• National Business Aviation Association
• Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association
• Transportation Lawyers Association

• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D.
• University of Iowa, Tippie College of Business, B.B.A.

• Assisting clients with various aviation and business transaction matters.
• Represented client with the purchase and sale of two (2) Gulfstream G650s from a European entity to the US-based owner.
• Represented a US buyer with the purchase and importation (duty-free) of an Embraer Phenom 300 from a Swiss seller.
• Represented multiple clients with the purchase of new aircraft from the manufacturer, including various Embraer, Bombardier, and Gulfstream models.
• Represented new owner groups with the buyout of LLC member interests, resulting in the purchase of a Gulfstream G200.
• Represented HondaJet owners with the buyout of owner interests subsequent to Jet It insolvency and subsequent bankruptcy.
• Represented multiple clients with the purchase of fractional and jet card interests through NetJets, FlexJet, and other program agreements.
• Advised large corporations and family offices on personal use and SEC reporting issues.
• Drafted various aircraft usage policies for business aircraft clients.
• Represented a US buyer with the purchase of a Gulfstream G650 from a large Spanish company.
• Advised various companies and individual aircraft buyers on state and federal tax mitigation strategies, including entity structuring and leasing strategies.
• Represented a Brazilian buyer with the purchase of two (2) AgustaWestland helicopters.
• General counsel for AI tech company, addressing various general corporate matters, intellectual property, employment, and insurance matters.
• Negotiated myriad contracts and formed strategic partnerships between lenders and businesses.