lawyer who practices space law

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What is a space lawyer?

Like him, lots of space lawyers are veterans. And nearly all of them are space and science geeks who found a way to combine their passion for outer space with legal practice. Space lawyers even have their own legal journal and university programs.

What is space law?

Space law is the body of laws, agreements and treaties that govern outer space. Worldwide leaders must grapple with how to regulate activity in space. Space law covers issues like rules for exploration, weapons use, damage for liability,...

Should space lawyers be on retainer?

Even NASA and the United Nations have put space lawyers on retainer, asking them more recently to update old legal guidelines or create new ones for the occasion that humanity reaches other planets. The NASA policy for quarantining humans who met extraterrestrials while visiting these other planets was created by Apollo-era space lawyers.

Can you get a law degree in space law?

Students wishing to pursue space law might pursue one of these programs or they might choose related coursework as part of their own, customized legal study within a more generalized law degree program. In 1942, attorney Andrew G. Haley helped begin the Aerojet company.

What are space lawyers?

A space lawyer is a lawyer first. This means supporting governmental or commercial space activities by attending meetings and negotiations, drafting and reviewing documents and basically thinking a lot on the law and the space activity in question.

What do NASA lawyers do?

These services and issues include establishing and disseminating legal policy and interpreting new statutes and cases. The Office of the General Counsel is also responsible for developing the ethics and patent program requirements, establishing metrics, and developing quality standards.

Who regulates space law?

98-575) that designated the Department of Transportation (DOT) as the federal agency responsible for facilitating and regulating commercial space launch activities (a task currently assigned within DOT to the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation), its 1988 amendments (P.L.

Which law firm represents SpaceX?

Harris Wiltshire & GrannisWhat lawyers do. Harris Wiltshire & Grannis represents satellite and drone companies such as SpaceX (founded by Elon Musk), which provides broadband services to users around the globe via satellite technology.

Where can I study space law?

The closest thing to an actual space law school in the U.S. is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Doctor of Juridical Science degree in Space Law. To qualify for entry to the J.S.D. Space Law program, you must already have a law degree or a Ph.

How do you become a space law?

A: Aspirants can pursue postgraduate (PG) programmes in the field of Air & Space Law. Some popular PG level courses in Air and Space Law are – Two Years Master's Degree in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management, Two Years Master's Degree in Space and Telecommunications Laws etc.

Is there any law in space?

Outer space is governed by international law. That means all countries and parties need to work together to develop effective space legislation for future needs.

What are the 5 space laws?

These five treaties deal with issues such as the non-appropriation of outer space by any one country, arms control, the freedom of exploration, liability for damage caused by space objects, the safety and rescue of spacecraft and astronauts, the prevention of harmful interference with space activities and the ...

Who has jurisdiction in space?

Article VIII of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty states, "A State Party to the Treaty on whose registry an object launched into outer space is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and over any personnel thereof, while in outer space or on a celestial body."

Which law firm acts for Tesla?

A partner at law firm Cooley LLP got an unexpected call late last year from a lawyer for one of the firm's most famous clients, Elon Musk's Tesla Inc., with an ultimatum.

Who is the general counsel of SpaceX?

David Harris is Acting General Counsel of SpaceX. He advises SpaceX's leadership on a wide range of legal matters, including government contracts, commercial contracts, human resources issues, real estate transactions, and compliance matters. He also works on regulatory and insurance issues related to spaceflight.

What law firm represents Blue Origin?

Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin's founder, owns The Washington Post. Three people with knowledge of the incident said Blue Origin hired the Perkins Coie law firm to investigate Walt McCleery, vice president of recruiting, and found that his behavior was inappropriate.

What is the field about?

A legal system is generally created in order to regulate certain activities. In the case of ‘space law’ the aim is to agree on certain rules that apply to human activities in outer space. The field can be divided into: international space law and domestic and commercial space law.

What would I do every day?

A space lawyer is a lawyer first. This means supporting governmental or commercial space activities by attending meetings and negotiations, drafting and reviewing documents and basically thinking a lot on the law and the space activity in question.

How much and what do I need to study?

Firstly, you will need a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) in order to know the basics of the legal system. At this stage, you will learn many interesting things but you will not be trained as a ‘space lawyer’. Depending on your home country, you may need to be licensed as a lawyer in order to practice any kind of law before becoming a space lawyer.

Where can I work?

You can work at a ministry or a space agency if you wish to work for the government. You can also work with the space industry in a commercial space company or at a law firm which specializes in space law. If you prefer academia, working at a university or a research institute is also a good option.

Learn more about a space lawyer's work by

This article is written by Dr. Neta Palkovitz, Space Lawyer at Innovative Solutions In Space B.V. (ISIS).

Why do space lawyers work?

They help government entities and even private companies engaging in space exploration comply with existing laws and treaties. Because of the nature of space law, space lawyers engage in a great deal of policy making. They might spend the bulk of their time drafting proposals or advocating for certain policies.

Why do we need space lawyers?

Because many countries in the world have an interest in space exploration, and because space is the final frontier, space law is part science and part politics. Space lawyers spend a lot of their time determining what international agreements should be and how private property and territory rights should work in regards to outer space. Once they answer these questions, they must work to gain international cooperation and agreement on these issues. Finally, space lawyers must work to implement international and domestic laws that relate to space activity and exploration.

What is space law?

Space law is the body of laws, agreements and treaties that govern outer space. Worldwide leaders must grapple with how to regulate activity in space. Space law covers issues like rules for exploration, weapons use, damage for liability, rescue efforts for astronauts in distress, environmental regulations and records of space activity.

Why is space law important?

As technologies and government priorities change, the laws and agreements that govern activity in space must also change. Space lawyers get to be a part of this important work.

What is the first legal certificate program for space law?

The first formal legal certificate program for space law studies began in 2008. A few universities offer degrees and other opportunities for formal study. The University of Nebraska offers an LLM and a J.S.D. degree in space, cyber and telecommunications law. The University of Michigan sponsors a Society for Space Law.

Which two countries were involved in the space debate?

The United States and the USSR were part of these discussions. The United Nations also debated the issues in 1958. In 1959, the United Nations formed the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). COPUOS is the main international group for discussing space activity and its related agreements.

Who was the first attorney to write a treatise on space law?

The history of space law. In 1942, attorney Andrew G. Haley helped begin the Aerojet company. The company’s founders joked that it was up to Haley to help them behave in outer space. Haley went on to write the treatise Space Law and Government.

What international treaties address liability and risk concerns over satellites?

Several binding international treaties such as the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused By Space Objects, and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty address liability and risk concerns over satellites–red meat for these interstellar legal eagles.

Do space lawyers exist?

Space Lawyers: They Exist. A James Cameron and Google-backed asteroid mining company has a bevy of them on retainer to help divvy up all that unobtanium. Plus they help craft liability laws for space tourists and consult with governments on extraterrestrial visits. Ambulance chasing only gets you so far.

Is space law a part of aerospace?

Space law is quickly becoming an integral part of the evolving aerospace industry. These lawyers exist in a tightly knit industry that deals with all kinds of practical issues and some that seem cribbed from science fiction.

Who can claim sovereignty over an asteroid?

Lawyer Michael Listner wrote an article on the topic that notes no one has truly figured out sovereignty laws for outer space and private, non-governmental exploration–the United States or China cannot claim sovereignty over an asteroid, but private corporations might.

Does ambulance chasing get you far?

Ambulance chasing only gets you so far. Hitching a ride, metaphorically speaking, on rockets funded by private corporations seeking fortunes beyond Earth’s atmosphere is where it’s at for eager legal pioneers. There are stellar opportunities for lawyers specializing in space exploration.

Shruti Gurudanti, Rose Law Group corporate transactions chair who advises in area of space law, weighs in on the legalities involved when someone dies in space

By The Conversation Commercial spaceflight companies such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are now offering exclusive opportunities for celebrities and civilians to travel to space.

To the moon and back: Innovative Rose Law Group raises the bar again, this time creating new Space Law practice

By Arizona Progress Gazette Innovative and always forward thinking, the state’s largest woman owned law firm, Rose Law Group pc, is pleased to announce a new Space Law practice. This revolutionary new practice is a first for Arizona and it will involve assisting clients in the space and satellite arena.

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Space Policy Launching New Era of American Exploration

NASA, in partnership with Boeing, will help lead the way for a new generation of American astronauts on the first flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner to the ISS.

To Infinity and Beyond: Space Law 101

Space law governs space exploration, liability for damage, weapons use, rescue efforts, environmental preservation, information sharing, new technologies, and ethics.

Building Blocks to Space: How Blockchain Can Advance Space Exploration

Blockchain provides increased transparency, enhanced security, improved traceability, greater efficiency, and reduced costs.

Why do we need a lawyer for space?

A lawyer is bound to act in your best interests and to keep your information confidential. There is flexibility in when and how you pay a lawyer’s fees, so that the services you receive can represent good value relative to the fees you pay.

Why do we need legal services in space?

There are several good reasons to use legal services in respect of space activities. To foresee and manage legal risks before they arise , such as exposure to liability arising from space activities. To get assistance with the drafting of documents that may have significant legal consequences, such as a launch services agreement, ...

What to do next when you need a lawyer?

What to do next. 1. Identify your need for legal services. Although a lawyer will help you to clearly and precisely identify the legal services you need, it is best to start with a good idea of the legal services you seek. That may be to mitigate the risk of liability, help to obtain a licence or permit, identify the legal requirements applicable ...

How much does a lawyer charge an hour?

An hourly rate is not the only means of charging. Hourly rates for a mid-range lawyer without specialist expertise in space activities would generally be around $350 an hour, although much of the work may be done by more junior staff at lower rates.

How to be a good lawyer?

act in your best interests. be honest and courteous in all dealings in the course of legal practice. deliver legal services competently, diligently and as promptly as is reasonably possible. avoid any compromise to their integrity and professional independence. provide you with clear and timely advice.

What are the duties of a lawyer?

A Lawyer’s Duties to You, the Client. When you engage a lawyer, a relationship of trust is formed – the lawyer is ethically bound to act in your best interests, subject to a higher duty to the court and the administration of justice. The lawyer must:

How to avoid misunderstandings with a lawyer?

Understand the fees and costs, noting that your lawyer has a duty to disclose her or his fees. Ask questions, noting that the law is complex – don’t hesitate to seek clarification to avoid later misunderstandings. Keep in contact. Let you lawyer know if circumstances of the matter or your personal circumstances change.

Overview

The complex legal and technical issues facing the satellite and space sector require lawyers with in-depth knowledge and experience in a broad range of areas related to the industry.

Regulatory

Holland & Knight attorneys have been representing satellite communication providers for decades before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other regulatory bodies, beginning with the advent of commercial satellites in the mid-1970s. Lawyers in our firm have served clients by:

Transactional

Where regulatory approvals and commercial issues overlap, Holland & Knight attorneys from other groups in the firm have participated in a wide variety of activities in support of our clients' needs. These efforts include:

Export Controls and National Security Issues

Our lawyers assist satellite companies on the full range of export control and national security matters, such as:

Dispute Resolution and Liability Issues

Holland & Knight has a dedicated group of aviation and aerospace litigators. These attorneys have a substantial amount of experience as lead counsel in high-profile litigation and investigations. Our ability to handle complex claims is enhanced by our global reach and ability to respond quickly and efficiently.

Legislative Affairs

To bolster our work in regulatory, licensing and transactional matters in the satellite and space sector, the firm's long-established Public Policy & Regulatory Group, based in Washington, D.C., is readily available.