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Amy Karnikian

Senior Counsel
Senior Counsel
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VCardLinkedIn
VCardLinkedIn

Areas of Focus

Overview

Amy Karnikian is a seasoned aviation attorney and serves as counsel in the Aviation Group. Amy’s practice focuses on business and commercial aircraft, general aviation, commercial space transactions, and aviation regulatory compliance, in addition to advising clients on unmanned aircraft systems (drone/UAS) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

She advises airlines, high net worth individuals, and Fortune 500 corporate flight departments on operating structure matters such as leasing, timeshare, and fractional ownership agreements, as well as the sale and purchase of aircraft. Amy also advises investors on the regulatory impact of investment in aviation-related businesses or those that own and/or operate aircraft. Additionally, Amy advises commercial space clients on transactional and regulatory matters.

Her prior law firm experience focused on advising on commercial aircraft sales, leasing, finance, restructuring, and a variety of other cross-border transactions. Her clientele included aircraft lessors, financial institutions, and airlines. She has led the negotiations of high value sale-leaseback and financing transactions spanning various jurisdictions, aircraft maintenance contracts with OEMs and MROs, lease novations in connection with sale and purchase transactions, and various other corporate and transactional matters in the aviation space.

In addition to her firm work, Amy spent a year as a legal secondee at Amazon where she supported the Global Amazon Air cargo business on a wide range of matters.

Prior to her legal career, she worked for a leading aircraft lessor, where her passion for aviation took root.

Career & Education

    • University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A., global and international studies
    • LMU Loyola Law School, J.D., corporate law
    • University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A., global and international studies
    • LMU Loyola Law School, J.D., corporate law

    • California
    • California

    • Armenian Women’s Bar Association, Executive Committee (2023–Present)
    • ABA Forum on Air & Space Law, Member
    • International Aviation Womens Association, Member
    • Armenian Women’s Bar Association, Executive Committee (2023–Present)
    • ABA Forum on Air & Space Law, Member
    • International Aviation Womens Association, Member

    • Armenian
    • Armenian

Amy 's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.14.26

No-Fly Zones for Drones: FAA Proposes New Rules Over Critical Infrastructure

On May 6, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would create a formal process for designating drone-free zones — known as Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restrictions (UAFRs) — over critical infrastructure facilities. The proposed rule has significant implications for the entire drone ecosystem. Facility operators across a broad range of industries would gain a potential pathway to restrict unauthorized drone access to their airspace, while commercial drone operators and companies that rely on UAS services face new compliance obligations, operational constraints, and potential criminal liability in designated zones....

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Representative Matters

  • Representation of a commercial space client supporting negotiations to provide its broadband connectivity in the aviation sector

  • Representation of an air cargo business in the leasing of 25 aircraft to various operators

  • Representation of a client in the launch of an aircraft leasing platform and related acquisition, financing, and lease of multiple aircraft

  • Representation of a Fortune 500 company in the sale of multiple aircraft

  • Representation of an aviation client in the negotiation of multiple short-term engine leases and engine purchases

  • Representation of private equity client in conducting due diligence and counseling related to the acquisition of an aviation-related business
  • Representation of a private equity firm in connection with a multi-tranche, two-currency bridge facility to finance helicopter purchases and a corporate loan
  • Representation of an aircraft lessor in connection with its bid to acquire full aircraft portfolio of a competitor, including initial due diligence and negotiation of purchase agreements and lease transfers
  • Representation of a helicopter lessor and its affiliates as special aviation counsel in connection with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, including the sale of approximately 125 helicopters on lease to different lessees in various jurisdictions

Amy 's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.14.26

No-Fly Zones for Drones: FAA Proposes New Rules Over Critical Infrastructure

On May 6, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would create a formal process for designating drone-free zones — known as Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restrictions (UAFRs) — over critical infrastructure facilities. The proposed rule has significant implications for the entire drone ecosystem. Facility operators across a broad range of industries would gain a potential pathway to restrict unauthorized drone access to their airspace, while commercial drone operators and companies that rely on UAS services face new compliance obligations, operational constraints, and potential criminal liability in designated zones....

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Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.14.26

No-Fly Zones for Drones: FAA Proposes New Rules Over Critical Infrastructure

Firm News | 1 min read | 04.20.26

The Los Angeles Business Journal Names Amy Karnikian to 2026 Top 100 Lawyers

Firm News | 2 min read | 01.29.26

Crowell & Moring’s Sima Namiri-Kalantari and Amy Karnikian Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys List

Client Alert | 4 min read | 01.29.26

FAA Invites Fresh Input on Expansive Drone Rule

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Practices

Industries

Amy 's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 05.14.26

No-Fly Zones for Drones: FAA Proposes New Rules Over Critical Infrastructure

On May 6, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would create a formal process for designating drone-free zones — known as Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restrictions (UAFRs) — over critical infrastructure facilities. The proposed rule has significant implications for the entire drone ecosystem. Facility operators across a broad range of industries would gain a potential pathway to restrict unauthorized drone access to their airspace, while commercial drone operators and companies that rely on UAS services face new compliance obligations, operational constraints, and potential criminal liability in designated zones....

View All Insights