James R. Brauchle

A former U.S. Air Force navigator, Jim Brauchle brings years of flying experience, leadership skills and knowledge of the aviation industry to his litigation work.

Jim represents victims of aviation disasters in cases against the airline industry. With more than two decades of courtroom experience including both bench and jury trials, Jim has handled aviation cases from pre-trial practice through trial, post-trial motions and appeals. He not only works closely with clients and co-counsel but also with pilots, engineers and experts in such areas as wreckage inspection and flight reconstruction.

Most recently, Jim was named to Co-Lead Counsel for the plaintiffs in IN RE: Air Crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025, MDL 3155. This federal lawsuit consists of claims against Delta and Endeavor Airlines for a February 2025 crash landing in Toronto.

Jim also served a vital role in representing the families of passengers from the Boeing MAX tragedies. He served on the Plaintiffs Executive Committee (PEC) in the case against Boeing in the Northern District of Illinois. Jim was selected by his fellow plaintiff attorneys to depose the Boeing engineers and test pilots involved in the development of the Boeing MAX aircraft. He has handled cases involving aircraft manufacturers (Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Cirrus, Gulfstream, Lockheed, Piper, Robinson Helicopters, and Sikorsky), engine and component manufacturers (Collins Aerospace, Continental Motors, GE, Honeywell, Lycoming, Pratt Whitney), operators and maintainers of aircraft (American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United Airlines, and various charter and tour companies), as well as the United States and its air traffic controllers.

Jim served as a navigator in the United States Air Force from 1991 to 2001. He was one of only five people in the entire Air Force simultaneously qualified as a C-141 Special Operations navigator, flight instructor and examiner. Due to his military background Jim has developed a keen interest in representing military personnel and their families due to military accidents. He has litigated against government contractors who have maintained, overhauled, and manufactured military aircraft and its components.

Jim is recognized as an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell . He has appeared on international, national, and local media to provide commentary and insight into aviation litigation matters.

Blog Posts

August 9, 2016

Why you can't judge an air carrier's safety by its website Causes, Not Just Cases

by: James R. Brauchle

November 20, 2012

Airport security check point no-gos Causes, Not Just Cases

by: James R. Brauchle

News

April 27, 2026

How Civil Litigation Helped Build Safer Workplaces-and Why It Still Matters

by:
Jacob R. Stout

March 23, 2026

Two Pilots Killed in Late-Night Runway Collision at LaGuardia Airport

by: Motley Rice