In Flight Conversation with Pete Greco 2009

Class of 2009 alumnus James Peter Greco has combined his love of aviation with his family’s affinity for the law into a lucrative career as he currently serves as an associate attorney practicing aviation law at Wilson Elser.

Wilson Elser is one of the largest defense litigation law firms in the world and as an associate attorney, Pete works on the Aviation and Helicopter Defense Team where he handles complex litigation issues involving aviation and general liability matters for airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and other aviation clients.

“I remember flying with my dad when I was younger as he has his pilot’s license and the excitement of sitting back and watching out the window stayed in the back of my mind as I grew older,” said Pete. “I spent time using a flight simulator on my computer and always kept searching for anything aviation related that interested me. While my family’s professional background is law and pursuing that would be the natural choice, I wanted to find a way to combine both areas of interest into a career.”

Pete graduated Magna Cum Laude from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and air transportation with a minor in homeland security. He is a licensed pilot and originally had plans to follow suit in his career, but due to the market at the time and other restrictions, he decided to transfer his knowledge and skills to airport management. After graduation, he worked as an airfield operations specialist at Orlando International Airport (MCO), where he was responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and regulatory compliance of the airport.

While becoming an airline pilot was not the end result, Pete knew that he could successfully transfer his skills to other jobs within the field. During his time at MCO, he said he thoroughly enjoyed the operations aspect of the job and found the day-to-day tasks interesting as no day was like another. As time passed, the link between aviation and pursuing law became evident and Pete enrolled at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School where he obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree in 2017. He transitioned to his current position at Wilson Elser in 2018 where he operates out of the Orlando, Fla., office.

To keep the enjoyment alive, Pete said he does still fly from time to time as maintaining the fun in your passions is key. Also, while not feasible at this time, he jokes that maybe one day he will own his own plane, but would split the endeavor amongst a group of friends. 

Pete holds professional affiliations with American Bar Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association. He was granted admission to the Florida Bar, District of Columbia Bar, and Virginia Bar. Aside from practicing law, Pete is an adjunct professor in the College of Business at his alma mater, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Pete acknowledges that his ability to balance complex professional tasks and the challenges of a changing atmosphere is due in part to the education and mentorship he received while under the pines.

“I am grateful for my time at Hamden Hall as all the teachers, coaches, staff in the College Counseling Office, and my advisors went out of their way to be helpful and provide guidance at every step,” said Pete. “All of the teachers I had invested their time into providing a solid academic foundation with rigorous class assignments that made me ready for the challenges of higher education. Hamden Hall is truly a step above in terms of preparing students for the future both academically and personally.”