Scott R. Phillips

Overview

Scott guides clients through complex matters at the intersection of aviation, international trade, and government regulation. Drawing on his experience in private practice, government, and overseas assignments, he advises U.S. and foreign airlines, charter operators, and other aviation industry clients on regulatory compliance and contested agency proceedings.

Scott regularly counsels clients on matters involving the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Foreign Assets Control, and Bureau of Industry and Security. His practice includes advising U.S. and foreign carriers on operating authority, charter operations, and other regulatory requirements affecting service to and from the United States. He also counsels aviation clients on economic sanctions and export controls affecting aircraft operations, repairs, and cargo movements, and represents clients in government investigations and proceedings involving regulatory approvals, penalties, and enforcement actions.

Before joining Eckert Seamans, Scott served as Resident Legal Officer for Central America and Mexico Programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he was a U.S. diplomat posted to San Salvador, El Salvador. He served as general counsel to senior leadership in El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico, advising on complex legal and policy matters involving international agreements, government contracts and grants, investigations, audits, bid protests, fiscal law, and economic sanctions. He advised on federal requirements applicable to more than $200 million in annual development assistance and worked closely with U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, international organizations, and private-sector partners.

Earlier in his career, Scott practiced complex commercial litigation and international arbitration at international law firms. He represented clients in complex commercial and foreign sovereign-related litigation in U.S. courts and advised on regulatory and litigation risks arising from cross-border transactions.

Before attending law school, Scott served as a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, including overseas service in Iraq and South Korea.

Representative Matters

• Represented a foreign airline before the Bureau of Industry and Security in connection with an aircraft grounded in Cuba, including filing a voluntary self-disclosure, obtaining authorization to conduct otherwise prohibited repair and related activities, and securing a license to reexport aircraft parts to Cuba to facilitate the aircraft’s repair and safe departure.
• Advised U.S. and foreign airlines on compliance with Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions in connection with the resumption of service to Venezuela.
• Advised air carriers and charter operators on compliance with Office of Foreign Assets Control general licenses and Bureau of Industry and Security license exceptions applicable to cargo shipments to Cuba.
• Represented airlines before U.S. Customs and Border Protection in petitions for mitigation of penalties, obtaining substantial reductions in penalty amounts.
• Represented U.S. and foreign airlines before the U.S. Department of Transportation in matters involving operating authority, codeshare arrangements, charter operations, and other economic regulatory matters, including requests for authority to conduct seventh-freedom operations.