Clifford Law Offices has represented victims and their families in every major commercial airline crash in the United States over the past four decades, as well as numerous small aircraft tragedies nationwide. Among its high-profile cases, the firm represented the families of over 70 victims of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 crash in Ethiopia, with founder and senior partner Robert Clifford serving as lead counsel in the high-profile federal litigation in Chicago. Many of these cases reached confidential resolutions through negotiations and settlements.
Beyond individual damages trials, families have continued to pursue justice through legal action, focusing on securing accountability for corporate negligence and establishing clear standards for corporate responsibility and aviation safety.
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Damages Trials
For nearly seven years, Clifford Law Offices has stood alongside families navigating litigation against Boeing in the 2019 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. On January 13, 2026, one of the remaining damages trials arising from the crash settled just before opening statements were set to begin, following a pattern of 11th-hour agreements made by Boeing as cases approach trial and juries are set to hear evidence on the full scope of the families’ losses.
A Canadian man lost six family members when the Boeing 737 MAX8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia on March 10, 2019. The flight, heading to Kenya, went down just minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board from 35 countries.
“This family has waited nearly seven years to see justice, and that is our goal in this trial,” Clifford said. “Boeing accepted full responsibility for the senseless and preventable loss of these innocent lives, and this corporate giant has now been held accountable to this family, especially to this good man who lost his dear mom, dad, and sister.”
While individual case outcomes have remained confidential, these proceedings represent a critical phase of the litigation, focused on ensuring that each family’s loss is fully recognized under the law, contributing to the broader legal landscape of Boeing 737 MAX litigation and aviation crash liability precedent.
Decades of Aviation Litigation Experience
Clifford Law Offices has represented victims and their families in nearly every major commercial airline crash in the U.S. in the last 40 years as well as numerous small plane crashes around the United States.
For media inquiries, please contact our Communications Partner, Pamela Sakowicz Menaker, at 847-721-0909.
Press Releases
March 31, 2026
Victims of Boeing Crash Lose Appeal in Federal Court to Hold Aircraft Manufacturer Criminally Liable for Crashes of Two MAX8 Planes – Their Reaction. View Online.
February 5, 2026
Families of Boeing MAX8 Crash Victims React to Arguments Made February 5 Before Federal Appeals Court on Boeing Crash Cases. View Online.
February 4, 2026
Families of Boeing MAX8 Crash Victims to Ask Federal Appeals Court to Overturn Order Dismissing Criminal Case Against Boeing. View Online.
January 14, 2026
Cases Settle in 11th Hour Against Boeing for Family Killed in Boeing Crash. View Online.
January 11, 2026
Trial Begins Monday, January 12, in Federal Court for Family Killed in Boeing Crash. View Online.
January 7, 2026
Boeing Crash Case Set for Trial Monday with Chicago Powerhouse Lawyers Set to Try the Case in Federal District Court. View Online.
November 13, 2025
Families of Boeing MAX 8 Crash Victims Ask Federal Appellate Court to Overturn District Court Judge’s Order Dismissing Criminal Charge Against Boeing. View Online.
November 6, 2025
Families of Boeing MAX 8 Crash Victims to File Expedited Writ of Mandamus to Federal Appellate Court to Overturn District Court Judge’s Order, Issued Nov. 6, Dismissing Criminal Charge Against Boeing. View Online.
November 5, 2025
Three Cases Settle, One Moves Forward to Trial in the Boeing Crash Cases in Federal District Court. View Online.
November 4, 2025
Jury Selected in First Boeing Crash Trial; Lawyers Expected to Deliver Opening Statements at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5. View Online.
November 4, 2025
Jury Selection Underway on Tuesday, Nov. 4 in Boeing Crash Case with Opening Statements to Follow from Internationally Acclaimed Aviation Attorneys. View Online.
November 2, 2025
Boeing Trial to Begin Monday in Chicago Federal District Court. View Online.
October 30, 2025
Boeing Crash Cases Set for Trial November 3 – Two to be Tried Side-by-Side in Chicago Federal District Court. View Online.
