Cassandra Sturgess joined McAfee & Taft’s global aviation practice in 2023, bringing with her more than 14 years of experience in the aircraft title insurance and legal industries. In her current role, she provides comprehensive support to attorneys whose practices are focused on representing and advising clients worldwide on matters involving the purchasing, selling, leasing, financing, registration, and operation of aircraft, as well as related matters falling under the purview of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and the Aircraft Protocol. Her responsibilities include preparing aircraft closing instruments for filing and recordation with the FAA, examining and reviewing aircraft and engine records, reviewing and compiling FAA records for outstanding/resolved title and lien issues, coordinating escrow transactions, and verifying recorded instruments have been posted by the FAA to the proper aircraft, engine and propeller records.
Prior to joining McAfee & Taft, Cassandra worked as the vice president of aircraft closings for an Oklahoma City-based aircraft title insurance company for more than 12 years. Her experience in this area includes serving as a liaison with all parties to a transaction, researching titles and managing the clearing process, analyzing title documents to identify potential issues and resolving any discrepancies, preparing legal documents based on title search results, preparing documents for closings, setting up escrow transactions and handling the complete disbursement of those funds, and compiling closing packages for drafting and presentation accuracy.
Cassandra holds a certificate in business administration from Kiamichi Technology Center and began her career as docket clerk for a boutique litigation firm.
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