Michael Mayes – PHI Air Medical

At PHI Group, helicopters don’t just move people—they move missions forward. Whether flying patients from rural communities to critical life-saving care or transporting crews to offshore oil platforms in the Gulf and beyond, PHI delivers precision aviation services supporting public health and global industry.

Michael Mayes | PHI Air Medical | General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer

With affiliates specializing in emergency air medical transport and offshore oil and gas transportation services, the organization operates under a shared commitment to safety, excellence, and impact. As general counsel and chief compliance officer of PHI Air Medical, Michael Mayes also now serves enterprise-wide, guiding the legal and compliance functions across the PHI Group, including both its air medical and international aviation affiliates.

His transition from high-octane law firms to in-house legal leadership wasn’t immediate. Michael spent nearly a decade at firms like Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP, advising on over $30 billion in transactions. He later joined Amgen and Astellas Pharma, where he developed his cross-functional leadership style, gained international experience, and honed the ability to deliver precise legal counsel under pressure.

When the opportunity at PHI emerged, Michael was ready for a new chapter that would blend legal strategy with high-stakes mission-driven work.

“The main reason I accepted the job was the chance to work with strong private equity leadership,” Michael says.

Building a lean, high-impact legal team

Since joining PHI in January 2024, Michael has built a legal and compliance department that punches far above its weight.

“We’re a team of eight, and we’re involved in everything from regulatory compliance to contracting to litigation to business development,” he explains. “It’s a lean but incredibly active group, and we maximize our impact by staying aligned with the business and relying on carefully selected outside counsel for specialized support.”

Michael believes legal works best when embedded in the company’s strategic framework, not reactive or isolated.

“A successful general counsel doesn’t just manage risk,” he says. “They anticipate where risk and opportunity intersect and help the business move confidently through uncertainty.”

That mindset is especially critical in PHI’s operating environment, which sits at the regulatory crossroads of aviation, healthcare and energy, three highly complex (and regulated) industries.

“Managing legal issues across both verticals means navigating FAA oversight, global trade laws, healthcare reimbursement rules, energy, environmental and employment regulations—all while staying agile and mission-focused,” he explains.

Legal strategy that shapes an industry

One of Michael’s most critical early focus areas has been steering PHI Air Medical’s response to the federal No Surprises Act (NSA), legislation designed to protect patients from unexpected medical bills while ushering payors and out-of-network providers unable to agree on payment terms into binding arbitration. Though well-intentioned, the law has introduced significant uncertainty, particularly for emergency medical providers like PHI.

PHI Air Medical’s legal success under Michael has already helped shape regulatory guidance and solidified the company’s leadership position. The team boasts one of the industry’s highest NSA arbitration win rates. However, winning arbitrations is only half the battle.

“The NSA requires that providers and insurers resolve payment disputes through arbitration,” Michael says. “But many insurers refuse to honor the outcomes—leaving millions in unpaid awards vital to our ability to deliver care.”

Rather than accepting this enforcement gap, Michael built a national litigation strategy. With support from top-tier law firms, PHI Air Medical is now at the forefront of legal battles to enforce arbitration rulings and clarify providers’ rights under the law. Two such cases—Texas Medical Assn’ vs. HHS and Guardian Flight v. HHS—are currently before the Fifth Circuit and have attracted national attention, including an amicus brief from the U.S. Department of Justice in Guardian Flight supporting providers’ rights to enforce arbitration outcomes.

“This isn’t just about revenue,” Michael emphasizes. “It’s about ensuring the legal framework for emergency medical services remains intact. If payors can ignore binding decisions, the entire system collapses.”

Beyond regulatory guidance and litigation, Michael has undertaken transformative projects across PHI Air Medical’s operations, all with an eye toward scalability, resilience, and efficiency.

He has led the legal response to the new tariffs, FAA audits and investigations, antitrust initiatives and modernization of legal systems and compliance policies. He’s enhanced oversight of PHI Air Medical’s real estate portfolio, covering more than 150 locations, including its new corporate headquarters. And he’s overseen the implementation of a new enterprise-wide contract lifecycle management system.

“We’re not just solving legal problems—we’re building systems that reduce friction, create visibility, and support long-term growth,” he explains.

Michael also plays a central role in PHI Air Medical’s business development.

“This year alone, our team is supporting over 20 new strategic initiatives to drive growth,” he says.

By creating templates and checklists that memorialize lessons learned, his department streamlined PHI Air Medical’s ability to enter new markets with clarity and speed.

“I believe legal is a catalyst,” he adds. “When done right, we don’t just minimize risk—we accelerate value creation.”

Leadership through complexity & service

Michael’s approach to leadership is shaped by years of working at the intersection of corporate law and high-stakes operations.

“I thrive in environments where you have to make fast decisions with imperfect information,” he says. “But leadership also means empowering others—building teams that think boldly and execute precisely.”

He hires for mindset and potential, not just technical skill.

“We use legal tests, scenario-based interviews, and even shadow days to find people who align with our mission. And once they’re here, we give them meaningful projects and real ownership from day one.”

Retention, he believes, stems from purpose. When people feel they’re making a difference—in their team, for the company, and in the communities the company serves—they stay, he notes.

Michael’s passion for service extends beyond the office. A father of four, he lives in Arizona with his wife and two Jack Russell terriers. He’s an avid off-road enthusiast, often exploring remote trails that mirror the areas PHI serves. One of his most profound experiences came during the early days of the Russia-Ukraine war, when he and his wife traveled to Poland to support women and children fleeing the conflict.

“That experience reaffirmed my belief that lawyers—when equipped with courage and clarity—can make a real impact in people’s lives,” he says.

Michael didn’t get to where he is without the guidance of brilliant mentors and legal minds who believed in him, challenged him and made him a better attorney.

“Donald Ridings, Steven Shepard, Brant Martin, Gregory Doll, David Cole, and Russell Hansen are just some of these people I am grateful to daily,” he says.

As PHI Group grows and adapts, Michael remains focused on building a legal function that delivers long-term value.

“My goal is to make the organization stronger, more scalable, and better equipped for whatever comes next,” he says. “That means building systems, developing talent, and being a true strategic partner to the business.”

He also sees broader opportunities within the PHI Group family office ecosystem or other mission-driven organizations. But for now, Michael is energized by the challenges at hand.

“There’s no other role like this,” he says. “To advise across aviation, healthcare, energy, compliance, litigation, business development, and more—all in service of a life-saving mission—it’s demanding, yes. But it’s also gratifying. And that’s exactly where I want to be.”