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John A. Greaves 
Los Angeles, California
phone (888) 406-6726
fax (310) 820-7444
email Email Me

John Greaves has represented hundreds of airline accident victims in more than 35 airline disasters. He has been part of Baum Hedlund's aviation team since joining the firm in the early 1990s. 

John is an airline transport pilot and a former Captain for Comair.  He has over 10,000 hours total flight time since 1966 and over 3,000 hours as a Captain in Part 121 and Part 135 scheduled airline operations. 

As a licensed pilot for more than 40 years, he spent five years as a pilot in scheduled airlines service, four years of which were in the capacity of captain.  Details of his pilot experience include Comair Airlines, Captain; Wright Airlines, First Officer; Aero-Mech Airlines, First Officer; and Air Illinois, First Officer.  As an airline captain, John supervised flight and ground crews, ensured compliance with all FAA operations and maintenance regulations, documents and inspections.  He served six years as a Flight Instructor and four years as a Charter Pilot and Charter Company Operator.  He was Operator/President/CEO of VIP Pilot, Inc.  He was Contract Administration Committee Chairman for the Air Line Pilots Association, Council 37.  He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Air Line Pilots Association, Council 37. 

John has served on several plaintiffs' steering committees overseeing airline accidents involving multi-district litigation.

Mr. Greaves is also a member of the American Bar Association - Forum on Air and Space Law, The American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, Air Line Pilots Association. 

John was appointed to the following Plaintiff Steering Committees:

  • Plaintiffs' Executive Committee, September 11, 2001 Tort Litigation
  • Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, MDL-1448, American Airlines 587 Crash, Belle Harbor (Queens), New York, 2001
  • Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, Singapore Airlines Crash, Taipei, Taiwan, 2000
  • Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, Atlantic Southeast Airlines Crash, near Carrollton, Georgia, 1995
  • Areas of Practice:
    Airline Disasters
    Aviation Accidents
    Helicopter Accidents
    Medical Air Ambulance Accidents
    Bar Admissions:
    District of Columbia, 2001
    Missouri, 2004
    Iowa, 1992
    California, 1994
    U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1992
    U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1994
    U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1995
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1995
    U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1995
    U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 1996
    U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2000
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 2002
    U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 2002
    U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1995
    U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1995
    U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1995
    Education:
    Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, 1992
    J. D. with honors


    Drake University College of Business and Public Administration, Des Moines, Iowa, 1992
    M.P.A.


    University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 1976
    B.A.


    Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, Multi-Engine Land, with type ratings for the EMB-110, SD-3, SF-340 airliners


    Classes/Seminars Taught:
    Aviation Litigation Seminar, Aviation and Space Law Committee of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association, 1999


    Successful Handling of Wrongful Death Cases in California, Lorman Education Services, 2002


    Honors and Awards:
    Listed, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers


    Who's Who in the World


    Who's Who in American Law


    Who's Who in America


    Who's Who in the West


    Air Line Pilots Association, Counsel 37, Distinguished Service Award


    Aviation Counsel Magazine's List of Recommended High Flyers


    National Air Disaster Foundation Safety Award, 2002


    Professional Associations and Memberships:
    Iowa Trial Lawyers Association
    Member


    American Bar Association, The Forum on Air and Space Law, Litigation Section and Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
    Member


    The American Association for Justice
    Member


    Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
    Member


    Air Line Pilots Association
    Member


    George McBurney Complex Litigation Inn of Court
    Member


    Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, Atlantic Southeast Airlines Crash, near Carrollton, Georgia, 1995 - Present
    Member


    Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, Singapore Airlines Crash, Taipei, Taiwan, 2000 - Present
    Member


    Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, MDL-1448, American Airlines 587 Crash, Belle Harbor (Queens), New York, 2001 - Present
    Member


    Plaintiffs' Executive Committee, September 11, 2001 Tort Litigation, 2001 - Present
    Member


    Past Employment Positions:
    Comair, Captain


    Wright Airlines, First Officer


    Aero-Mech Airlines, First Officer


    Air Illinois, First Officer


    VIPilot, Inc., Charter Pilot and Charter Company Operator/President/CEO


    Air Line Pilots Association, Council 37, Contract Administration Committee Chairman


    Fraternities/Sororities:
    Delta Theta Phi
    Contact the Firm

    Baum, Hedlund, Aristei &
    Goldman, P.C.

    Los Angeles Office
    12100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 950
    Los Angeles, CA 90025
    Phone: 310.207.3233
    Toll Free: 888.406.6726
    Fax: 310.820.7444

    Philadelphia Office
    1500 Market Street
    12th Floor East Tower
    Philadelphia, PA 19102
    Phone: 215.665.5659
    Fax: 215.569.8228

    Washington, D.C. Office
    1250 24th Street, NW, Suite 300
    Washington, DC 20037
    Phone: 202.466.0513
    Fax: 202.466.0527

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