Stuart R. Fraenkel handles high profile, complex matters with a broad range of experience in civil litigation; including aviation, admiralty/maritime, automobile, bus, motorcycle, truck, rail, crashworthiness, products liability, personal injury, wrongful death, insurance, insurance bad faith, premises, business litigation and entertainment. Mr. Fraenkel is well versed in national and international conflicts and choice of law issues. His litigation experience has involved matters throughout the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East and South America.
Mr. Fraenkel received his undergraduate degree with honors from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1989 where he was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and was awarded the Balfour award for being a distinguished senior. During his tenure at Embry Riddle, Mr. Fraenkel also worked as a legal assistant at the Volusia County Office of the State Attorney of Florida.
He received his doctorate of jurisprudence from Southwestern University School of Law in 1994. During his time at Southwestern, Mr. Fraenkel was elected the President of the Phi Delta Phi Honors Law Fraternity and was the President and Founder of the Aviation and Space Law Society. Additionally, he spent a semester in Paris, France with Tulane University School of Law studying comparative law, with an emphasis on French Civil law and European Union law.
Mr. Fraenkel is a graduate of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Aviation Accident Investigation School in Washington, D.C. As a United States Marine Corps veteran, Mr. Fraenkel served his tour of duty as a CH-46 Sea Knight crew chief and A-4 Skyhawk plane captain and was awarded numerous commendations. He was also selected as an Aviation Officer Candidate for the United States Navy. His service to our country added to his already extensive experience in aviation and vehicle maintenance; including combustion, diesel and turbine engines, electrical systems, hydraulics, structures, avionics systems, ejection systems and airframes.
Mr. Fraenkel is admitted to and/or practiced the bars of the Supreme Court of California, the United States District Court for the Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He has also appeared pro hac vice in several courts throughout the United States. He has authored and argued appellate matters in the California Court of Appeals and briefed appellate matters in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.