Michael AuBuchon

A 10+-year Employee of Southwest, Michael joined the Company as a Properties Manager, where he worked for 4 years prior to joining the General Counsel Department.  Michael’s last major undertaking in Properties was the management of Southwest’s startup efforts at PHL in 2004.  In his role as a corporate transactional attorney at Southwest, Michael has worked with his primary inhouse clients (the Properties and Facilities Departments) on the following representative projects/transactions: EWR Slots & Gates.  Most recently, the negotiation/drafting of the operative documents providing Southwest access to the slots and facilities necessary to commence service at EWR in March, 2011. Love Field Modernization Program (“LFMP”)/Wright Amendment Reform Act (“WARA”).  Completion of all implementation documents flowing from the WARA, including ongoing negotiations with the City of Dallas and other parties relating to development/construction of the $520m LFMP.  Michael also served on Southwest’s negotiating team during the negotiation of the “Five-Party Agreement” (to seek the Wright Amendment’s repeal in the U.S. Congress).   St. Joe Company/ECP Strategic Alliance.  Worked with St. Joe on the primary Strategic Alliance Agreement for Air Service, which guarantees Southwest’s breakeven performance at ECP for the first 3 years of service.  Also worked with the local tourism development councils to secure hotel bed tax revenue to help fund Southwest’s Northwest Florida marketing efforts. MDW Privatization.  Worked with the City of Chicago on the negotiation/drafting of the operative documents used in the bidding process to privatize MDW (transaction wasn’t consummated due to meltdown of credit markets but will work with Properties on any renewed privatization efforts). Overall, Michael works with Southwest’s Properties and Facilities Departments to negotiate airport lease agreements and coordinate various construction projects, respectively.  Michael’s inhouse client list also includes the Communications Department (Public Relations/Employee Communications/Emergency Response), and he serves as a member of Southwest’s Go-Team.  Michael represents the Legal Department on Southwest’s Airport Planning Committee.