Jack Nelson Happy

I have been practicing law for over 40 years. My primary practice areas include litigation, business law, aviation, and business finance and reorganization. I have been a law firm partner in large and small firms, a law school dean and professor, the general counsel of several corporations and a managment turn around professional. I enjoy representing small and large businesses and insurance companies.

Council on Litigation Management. Author: Damnum Absque Injuria, When Private Property Can Be Damaged Without Compensation, 36 Mo L Rev 453. Co Author: with Samuel P. Menefee), "Genesis!: Scriptural Citation and the Lawyer's Bible Project," 9 Regent University Law Review 89-148 (Fall, 1997). Member, Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board, 1992-2000. Engagements, Nelson have had appearances on television shows about legal issues, including Oprah Winfrey and Nightline. Private Practice, New York, New York, 2008—. General Counsel to an aggregate company in the Dallas Metroplex, 2005-2008. General Counsel and President as General Counsel, Mooney Aerospace Group, Ltd., Kerrville, TX, 2001-2005. Prepared all public filings and handled all FAA regulatory issues for this general aviation manufacturer. Promoted to president of company with responsibility for all operations. Mr. Happy successfully re-started the company after bankruptcy, and under his leadership it expanded to over 400 employees manufacturing eight aircraft per month. CEO and Director, Cenco Refining Company, Santa Fe Springs, CA, 1999-2001. Successfully obtained key permits to re-start former Powerine Refinery. Dean and Professor of Law, Regent University School of Law, 1993-1999. Successfully led the school to full accreditation by the American Bar Association; hired faculty, established curriculum, and taught full course load, including Business Associations, Insurance, Professional Responsibility, Evidence and Trial Practice. Now the leading law school in its niche market. Chairman and CEO, Flight International Group, Ltd., Newport News, VA, 1990-1993. Successfully restructured public company and negotiated sale of company for investors. It is now known as L-3 Flight International, Inc. Counsel, Patterson, Belknap, Webb and Tyler, New York, NY, 1987-1990. Member of the litigation section, handling trials and appeals of products liability and aviation matters. COO and General Counsel, Capital Air, Inc. Smyrna, TN. Vice Chairman, 1984-1987. United Refining Company, Warren, PA. Vice Chairman, COO and General Counsel. Managed these two companies simultaneously for a client; both were restructured successfully. Capital Air, Inc. was sold and United Refining Co. is running at full capacity. Managing Partner, Happy, Cooling & Herbers, Kansas City, MO, 1976-1984. Practiced aviation and insurance law. (Firm is now known as Cooling and Herbers, and is a leading national aviation law firm). Partner, Member of Management Committee Dietrich, Tyler and Davis, Kansas City, MO, 1967-1976. Practiced insurance defense litigation. Progressed from being an associate. Association: Board of Directors, Mukai Farm and Garden, Vashon, Washington, Former Vice Chairman, Kansas City, Missouri Landmarks Commission, Former Member, Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Former Member, Virginia Continuing Legal Education Board (Appointed by Virginia Supreme Court for two terms.) Former Advisor, Virginia Board of Bar Examiners Former Instructor, West Bar Review, Former Instructor, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (Graduate of introductory and advanced courses.)