Thomas A. Ostendorp
Partner | New York and Newark Offices
Thomas Ostendorp is an aviation litigator whose practice encompasses all areas of civil and commercial litigation. Thomas draws on his significant experience as a litigator and former prosecutor to advocate for the best outcome for his clients, whether it be developing a strategy for an early resolution or taking the case to trial.
Thomas represents domestic and foreign air carriers, business and general aviation aircraft manufacturers, maintenance providers, airport operators, and ground operators in both federal and state courts across the country in a wide variety of matters, including wrongful death claims arising from aircraft crashes, insurance coverage disputes, personal injury actions, commercial disputes, and damage to commercial and private aircraft. Thomas also advises clients on compliance with FAA and DOT regulations, contract interpretation, and the application of the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions and U.S. aviation statutes.
Thomas represented aviation insurers in major insurance coverage disputes arising from the Russia-Ukraine conflict in actions brought in New York, Connecticut, and California and consulted with fellow counsel on the impact of related litigation pending domestically, as well as in the UK and Ireland.
Thomas’ extensive courtroom experience as both an aviation litigator and former prosecutor gives his clients confidence if a matter must be taken to trial. Moreover, Thomas’ skills in taking targeted depositions and conducting in depth investigations, honed as a prosecutor, serve to facilitate favorable resolutions to matters for his clients.
Prior to practicing as an aviation litigator, Thomas served as Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, New York where he was a senior prosecutor in the trial division handling serious felony crimes, presenting hundreds of cases to grand juries, leading pre-indictment investigations, and taking multiple cases to jury verdicts at trial. He was also responsible for the litigation of evolving issues in the law, including the use of search warrants to obtain cellular data and the admissibility of expert testimony regarding eyewitness identifications.