Joseph LoRusso, JD

Joseph LoRusso, Director of Aviation at Ramos Law, brings over two decades of distinguished aviation experience to the firm. His legal journey began as a professional flight instructor, where he recognized the critical need for aviation representation, fueling his commitment to serving his clients.

An accomplished Airline Transport Pilot, Joseph holds type ratings for a diverse range of aircraft, including all classic Learjet models, the Citation 525 series, the Phenom 300E, and the Gulfstream GV (SIC). Beyond corporate aviation, he is a seasoned atmospheric research pilot, currently flying a Lear 35 and serving as Second-in-Command on a Gulfstream GV and Lockheed EC130-Q. Notably, he participated in NASA’s 2018 CAMP2EX campaign, completing a global circumnavigation in a Learjet.

Joseph’s passion for aviation extends to his personal life, where he flies a 1943 Stearman and Carbon Cubs and has been a dedicated airshow performer since 2012. Outside of aviation, he enjoys skiing, fishing and actively serves his community as a board member for the Nick J. LoRusso Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Colorado Soccer Association.

Joseph’s unwavering dedication to aviation translates into fierce advocacy for his clients. He approaches each case with a personal commitment, striving to deliver exceptional service and achieve optimal outcomes, whether defending pilots in FAA actions or representing those affected by aviation accidents.

Bar Admissions

• State of Colorado
• District of Colorado
• State of Kansas

Board of Directorships

• Vice President, Nick J. LoRusso Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Director, Colorado Soccer Association
• Director, Pilot Mental Health Campaign

Notable Appearances:

1. The New York Times – Durazo, Carmen García (Director). (2024) “Lie to Fly” [Film].
2. The New York Times – Ouyang, H. (2025, March 18). Why Airline Pilots Feel Pushed to Hide Their Mental Illness.
3. FLYING Magazine – Wildes, M. (2022, December 15). Aviation Attorney presses FAA to update mental health policies.
4. CBS News – Weis, K., & Erblat, A. (2023, May 10). Lithium batteries in phones, vape pens, laptops catch fire on planes in Colorado more often than you might think.
5. Denver Gazette – Weiser, S. (2025, January 30). What’s the risk of an air collision in Denver?
6. Business Insider – Mark, M. (2023, November 4). Crisis in the skies: Pilots aren’t getting mental health treatment because they fear they’ll lose their wings.
7. The Washington Post – Rein, L., & Whitlock, C. (2023, August 27). 5,000 pilots suspected of hiding major health issues. Most are still flying.
8. MarketWatch – Paul, K. (2017, April 13). How to not get bumped from a flight (and how to make the most money if you do).
9. Business Insider – Sheth, S. (2023, November 10). The off-duty pilot accused of trying to crash an Alaska Airlines flight wouldn’t get anti-depressants because he was scared of losing his job, his wife said.
10. KTLA – Associated Press. (2021, May 13).
11. Flying Magazine – (2022, December 15). Joe LoRusso talks pilots, mental health, and FAA – Business Air TV [Video].
12. Passive Income Pilots – (2024, April 4). #51 – Navigating Turbulence: Mental Health & Legal Safeguards for Pilots with Joe LoRusso [Video].
13. Passive Income Pilots – (2024b, August 13). #72 – Cleared for Takeoff: Updated FAA Mental Health Regulations with Joe LoRusso [Video].
14. CBS Colorado – (2023, August 25). Pilots speak out on mental health policies provided by FAA [Video].
15. Kathie J. – (2021, October 25). Aviation Law 10-25-21 [Video].
16. The Pilots Pandemic – (2022, June 2). #39: Joe LoRusso: Aviation Attorney discussing flawed aeromedical policies.
17. The Pilots Pandemic – (2023, February 22). #69: Joe LoRusso: FAA pulls VA records grounding over a thousand pilots, aviation lawyer tells all.