The commercialization of products and services in the space industry is growing rapidly, leading to a greater need for legal counsel with specialized experience in space law, regulation, and policy. We have a globally-ranked team of lawyers who have significant experience handling aerospace finance, space regulation and policy, intellectual property, and transactional matters for the commercial space industry.
Our space business group works with financial institutions, satellite operators, launch providers, manufacturers, and other industry participants in virtually every aspect of satellite finance, telecommunications, and international and local space law.
Our intellectual property lawyers have personal experience with the specialized technologies, patent processes, and issues that surround space system design and development. This includes hands-on design experience with the robotics, propulsion systems, avionics, semiconductors, cybersecurity systems, cloud computing, and engineering resource planning platforms that are essential to the aerospace industry. We also feature regulatory compliance knowledge of software and systems associated with aerospace platforms, including the protection and management of sensitive data.
We represent our clients on diverse local, state, domestic, and international space matters; handle space matters throughout the United States, Latin America, Asia, Australia, and Europe; and litigate on behalf of space clients in courts throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. Our client base includes established aerospace companies, as well as innovative new space startups around the world.
We have been involved in creating the emerging new legal, regulatory, and policy framework for the commercial space industry on a global basis and our space law practitioners have been at the forefront of thought leadership surrounding new legislation, regulations, and financing methods. Our international footprint allows us to keep abreast of trends impacting the commercial business of space and participate in the regulatory process on a global scale.
Our experience includes:
Satellite finance
Secured finance under U.S. and UK law
Export credit supported finance
Space project finance
Private placements of equity, convertible debt
Public-private partnerships
Leveraged leasing
Export/import and regulatory compliance
ITAR specialization
Launch licensing
Space policy development and advocacy
Space legislation
Engagement with national space agencies
National security space policy and procurement
Liability and indemnification
Informed consent agreements
Space property rights
Manufacturing and resource utilization in space
Air and space traffic management
Debris mitigation
Insurance consultation for launch and orbit insurance
Data monetization
Launch vehicle acquisition and integration agreements
Intellectual property
Data privacy and protection
IP procurement and portfolio management
Licensing agreements and IP protection
IP litigation
Restructuring of satellite operators, launch vehicles, and satellite manufacturers
Although still in their infancy, a growing number of recently-filed lawsuits associated with generative artificial intelligence (AI) training practices, products, and services have provided a meaningful first look into how US courts may address the privacy, consumer safety, and intellectual property protection concerns that have been raised by this new, and inherently evolving, technology.
Effective 27 June 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that closes a gap in coverage under federal law for pregnant and postpartum workers and applicants.
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