Introduction: 0:00
- Introducing Ben Klein, CEO and First Officer of Aero, an airline that offers an exclusive, private-jet-like experience.
- Boasting previous experience as the GC at Skyrise, an autonomous helicopter company, and founding a private practice dealing with aviation law.
- Sharing his favorite Aero destinations, like Cabo and Aspen.
- Developing a passion for aviation at an early age.
Transitioning from corporate law to aviation law: 6:01
- Taking the LSAT after working in restaurants and bars after college.
- Starting his career at big firms like Paul, Weiss, Rifkin, Wharton, & Garrison LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell
- Connecting his passion for piloting with the law after litigating a trial involving an airplane.
Founding an aviation-focused law firm: 9:38
- Taking on aviation-related regulatory and breach-of-contract cases and slowly building from there.
- He relies on his ability to speak the language of piloting to earn the trust of clients.
Learning to manage an executive team as a first-time GC at Skyryse: 11:47
- Relying on outside organizations to fill in gaps about privacy and related topics.
- Learning to trust yourself.
Counseling an airline through the Coronavirus pandemic: 14:57
- Recognizing the privilege of operating a pre-revenue, venture-backed company during a worldwide crisis.
- Developing a work-from-home policy that abides by federal and local regulations which require certain employees to be at the hangar.
Taking on a GC and First Officer role at Aero: 16:09
- Riding the tailwinds of a private aviation boom during Covid.
- Dealing with mask mandates and tensions between customers.
- Balancing US and European regulations.
- Moving into the CEO role.
- Learning more about the business by flying planes.”
Leveraging your experience in the cockpit to lead as CEO: 23:59
- Holding a deep understanding of fueling, timing, and other necessary processes.
- Refining business operations after every flight.
Instilling confidence in investors as you transition from GC to CEO: 25:47
- Continuing a long line of airline GCs becoming CEOs, including Southwest and Delta.
- Touching and internalizing all different points of the business as GC.
- Viewing litigation as a crucible for making quick judgments.
- Accepting a shift in responsibilities from advocating for positions to making them.
Inspiring teamwork in c-suite reports and hiring for your replacement GC: 30:58
- Relying on your existing working relationships to help with transitions.
- Finding a GC with curiosity and a passion for the specific work your company does.
Book Recommendations: 35:30
- The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
What you wish you’d known as a young lawyer: 38:49
- Not putting so much pressure on yourself out of the gate
- Understanding that it’s okay to reorient yourself and take a new path.
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