Some say flying an airplane may be easier than driving a car. But buying a plane, or just a piece of one, calls for expertise in aviation law. Eli Mansour, a licensed pilot and intellectual property attorney, specializes in commercial and corporate aviation financing, charters and operations.

Noticing a dearth of expertise in aviation law, Mansour, 38, last year approached the management of Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps about launching an aviation practice. “There was really no other firm in town doing aviation law,” says Mansour. “You can’t just start it. You have to have some background in aviation.”

Mansour, who has had a lifelong fascination with aviation, earned his pilot’s license seven years ago. Educated at George Washington University law school and the University of Maryland, Mansour specializes in the development, licensing and protection of intellectual property and technology. His experience includes a stint as in-house counsel in the dot.com world.

“Being an intellectual property attorney is a lot more difficult than flying a plane,” says Mansour. “Once you get over the initial learning curve and the apprehension of being in a totally new environment, (flying) is actually very easy,” he says.

Mansour is active in the San Diego County Bar Association, San Diego Software Industry Council, National Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, an organization of attorneys who specialize in aviation law. Mansour also volunteers regularly with the Knights of Columbus.

With his wife Teresa, a software analyst, he enjoys sailing. Mansour also windsurfs.