Trial counsel representingTrial counsel representing the Manufacturer in a fatal accident involving the defective design of the F-18 landing gear system; he achieved a dismissal of the case which was affirmed by the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.

Served as co-lead Multi-District Litigation (MDL) trial counsel for Plaintiffs in the air disaster, In re Air Disaster Dubrovnik, Croatia, April 6, 1996, that resulted in the death of the Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown, sixteen US businessmen, Commerce Department employees and the flight crew.

Lead trial counsel defending a major religious organization that owned real property that was the site of a fire bombing that killed 7 occupants and destroyed a large commercial building under construction that caused more than$12 in damage. The “Bet-the-Farm” case alleged damages in excess of $500 Million.

Mr. Blakely also has been involved in many disputes involving complex construction projects. These involve claims or lawsuits arising from a contractor’s default in the construction of a nuclear power generating plant in Texas; in claims arising from the construction of a large hospital in Delaware; from claims arising from the installation of a prefabricated power plant in the Ohio River; from claims arising from the design and construction of power transmission lines; from claims arising from the reconstruction of track and bridge work and facility construction for a major railroad; and from claims arising from the design and construction of waste water treatment plants.

Served as lead trial counsel in numerous other air disasters where the design of the aircraft or the performance of the pilot was at issue: the crash of a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W Helicopter caused by the defective design of the tail rotor; the crashworthiness of the fuel system of a general aviation aircraft; a deadly crash of a general aviation aircraft caused by a defective carburetor; the fatal crash arising from the defective design of a business jet’s fuel transfer system; the crash of a commercial airliner in Hawaii due to gross pilot techniques; the crash of a 747 at O’Hare International Airport due to FAA air traffic control negligence. He also was involved in the investigation of the Challenger disaster in 1986.

Served as legal counsel to senior executives of a major accounting firm who had been accused by a U.S. Attorney of marketing illegal tax shelters.

Managed and resolved a multi-million-dollar claim for non-payment of amounts due and owing to a hospital for services provided to Native Americans through the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Served as counsel in a matter before the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit where it was held that the Department of Energy had exceeded its rule-making authority by imposing energy efficient standards on decorative gas fireplaces and log sets sold as consumer products.

Organized and managed the legal oversight of the Government Contract issues concerning the U.S. Marine Corps’ lease of a large parcel of land for its rapid deployment force.

Served as pro bono legal counsel in a class action involving allegations of racial discrimination by claimants who were denied equal “accommodations” at a national restaurant chain.

Served as trial counsel in the landmark environmental case, Love Canal, where he asserted on behalf of the Chemical Company, claims against the U.S. Army for indemnity arising from the corporate predecessor’s manufacture of chemical munitions for WWII

Prosecuted a head-injury case against a national restaurant chain and achieved a significant settlement at the end of the trial for the traumatic brain injury of the plaintiff

Lead Trial Counsel on behalf of an Owner, and forced a recall of private jets by Manufacturer

Lead Trial Counsel in Owner’s dispute with an aircraft manufacturer that related to an undisclosed Bird Strike

Lead Trial Counsel representing family members who were family members of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, killed in a C-21 USAF jet.

Lead Trial Counsel representing the family of a Crew Member killed in the crash of a jet attempting to land at Patuxent Air Station, NAS

Lead Trial Counsel, defending the United States, in approximately 40 other accidents or incidents

Lead Trial Counsel representing a Provider in multi-million-dollar litigation against a health-care insurer.

Lead Trial Counsel representing owner in construction litigation against a contractor and awarded treble damages, and fees and expenses

Lead Trial Counsel on behalf of an Owner, where he successfully forced a recall of private jet aircraft by Manufacturer

Lead Trial Counsel in Owner’s dispute with an aircraft manufacturer related to an undisclosed Bird Strike, which resulted in a very favorable settlement.