Stites & Harbison, PLLC

Donald R. Andersen is admitted to practice in Georgia, Florida and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office .  A practicing attorney for nearly 35 years, he has been lead or co-counsel on intellectual property, aviation and product liability cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. Don is one of only 32 attorneys to be certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in the field of aviation law.  He is a licensed and active commercial, instrument and multi-engine rated pilot.  He is trained in alternative dispute resolution as a mediator. 

Recent Assignments

• Defense of aviation accident litigation in the Southeast
• Defense of major product manufacturer in automotive products liability defense litigation.

• Prosecution and defense of patent and trademark litigation in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast.

Speaking Engagements

• "Recent Developments in Aviation Case Law," September 15, 2011
• "Perspectives from the Experts on U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bilski v. Kappos," Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), co-author with Jeffrey A. Haeberlin, Stephen J. Weyer and Professor Tim Holbrook, Emory University School of Law, August 17, 2010
• "Recent Developments in Aviation Case Law," 21st Annual Embry-Riddle Aviation Law & Insurance Symposium 2010
• "Recent Developments in Aviation Case Law," Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, March 17, 2010
• "Ethics of Agreements Affecting Litigation," SMU Air Law Symposium, 2004
• Manufacturers’ Liability, ABA National Institute, Litigation in Aviation, 1992
• Defense of Manufacturers in Aviation Product Liability Cases, Embry-Riddle Aviation Law Symposium, 1992.

Papers and Publications

• "Recent Developments in Aviation Law," Annual Florida Bar Convention, June 25, 2010
• "Recent Developments in Aviation Case Law," Aviation Insurance Association Annual Conference, June 12-15, 2010
• "Recent Developments in Aviation Case Law," Aviation and Aerospace Subcommittee meeting, Product Liability Conference, Defense Research Institute, April 7, 2010
• “Recent Developments in Aviation Case Law,” SMU Air Law Symposium 1984, 1994, 2009
• “The Constitutional Aspects of the Airport Noise Problem in Georgia,” 10 Georgia Law Review 218, 1975.

Before Stites & Harbison

Mr. Andersen was Associate General Counsel for Piper Aircraft Corporation from 1989 to 1991, responsible for products liability and commercial litigation throughout the United States. He filed the Piper Aircraft Corporation Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings in 1991, before returning to private practice at that time. He has been licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since 1976 and is one of 16 currently with the firm. He served with the U.S. Navy in 1968 -1974, as a member of the U.S. Naval Security Group.

More Than Stites & Harbison

Don currently serves as the sub-chair of the Aviation Service Group of the Defense Research Institute. He is past president of the Aero Club of Atlanta, and active in Angel Flight of Georgia, which provides transportation for needy medical patients and their families. He also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and is president of the Men's Organization at the Tucker First United Methodist Church.

Besides Stites & Harbison

He enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, aged 30 and 26, and enjoys flying, traveling and reading. And he's managed to complete the Atlanta Half Marathon on several outings.