The aerospace, aviation and airports industries continues to evolve. With increased activities in both the public and private sectors, U.S. aerospace and aviation companies are challenged to align the current legal and regulatory environment with the increasingly dynamic environment. While new laws governing these industries have recently emerged, many existing laws do not address or anticipate technological change and can often become barriers in advancing commercialization.
Given the depth of knowledge and practical experience with complex issues, Babst Calland is uniquely positioned to help aerospace, aviation and airport companies face the challenges and opportunities of the 21ˢᵗ century. Babst Calland provides comprehensive legal and business advice as well as regulatory and compliance counseling to help our clients achieve their strategic business objectives. Our attorneys stay abreast of the myriads of federal, state and local laws and regulations impacting these industries. With respect to matters pertaining to developing and deploying emerging technologies and the commercial use of technologies such as autonomous systems, advanced air mobility, commercial space, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones), and mobility robotics, we foster collaboration among regulatory agencies on the local, state, and federal level, while promoting innovation and the use and economic impacts of such technologies.
Our cross-sector team of attorneys assists in providing advice on a wide range of matters related to corporate governance, contract negotiation, finance, public-private partnerships, environmental and regulatory compliance, real estate, land use and zoning, construction, employment and HR counseling, insurance, intellectual property, and general day-to-day legal counsel.
Led by Practice Chair Justine Kasznica, Babst Calland actively supports the mission and vision of the growing aerospace industry in the region, Several attorneys currently serve as general counsel for various aerospace contractors and suppliers and non-profit space organizations. In addition, through our strategic partnership with Jeff Immel, experienced aviation and aerospace attorney and former general counsel of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, Babst Calland’s team of attorneys also advise clients on a wide array of matters for aviation, airport and transportation technology clients.
We also partner with the Department of Defense and U.S. Space Force’s AFWERX/SpaceWERX hub in Pittsburgh, and frequent speaking engagements with NASA, DoD, and industry business and trade associations, we continue to collaborate with government, academia, and industry as thought leaders to accelerate and shape our future in space.
Babst Calland is also a founding member of the Pittsburgh-based Keystone Space Collaborative and the Moonshot Museum.
We support our aerospace, aviation and airport clients by providing the necessary business, legal and regulatory advice that will help them to meet their strategic objectives and expand their business:
- Outside general business counsel
- Business structuring and planning
- Corporate finance and governance
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Commercial transactions
- Federal and state securities law compliance
- Technology and software licensing
- Intellectual property
- Data privacy and security
- Regulatory, legislative and policy counsel
- Employment and labor law
- Environmental law
- Licensing
- Security
- Hazardous materials
Our experience and representative matters include: (review and update list)
- Serve as outside general counsel to companies in the aerospace, commercial space, aviation, robotics and autonomous systems industries.
- Advise on legal issues surrounding UAS, including commercial drones.
- Manage government inquiries and enforcement proceedings.
- Negotiate service contracts and technology development agreements (NASA Space Act Agreements, SBIRs, STTRs, BAAs).
- Negotiates technology commercialization licenses and funding agreements on behalf of aerospace, commercial space companies with universities, government agencies, and technology development laboratories.
- Draft, negotiate, and advise on agreements for companies in the aerospace, commercial space, advanced air mobility, and UAS industries.
- Advise on regulatory compliance and policy issues related to UAS, commercial space, and mobility robotics activities.
- Provide innovative mobility and safety approaches.
- Advise on FAA approvals and certifications, payload acceptance requirements, and other regulatory compliance requirements.
- Represent clients matters before the U.S. Department of Transportation, NASA Space Act Agreements, SBIRs, STTRs, BAAs, and other technology agreements.
- Provide day-to-day “outside” general counsel.
- Conduct risk management programs, reviews, and internal audits.
- Assist in legislative and rulemaking matters, including government affairs.
- Assist clients with capitalization, including state and federal funding, accelerator funding, angel investment, and corporate, private equity or venture capital financing.
- Support and develop new technology policies.
- Provide in-house legal and business-oriented training and ongoing support.
- Advise airports regarding construction related claims and disputes.
- Assist airports with federal, state and local regulatory compliance.
- Draft and implement hangar leases.
- Defend airports in litigation pending in state and federal courts.
- Advise on airport environmental matters, including PFAS-related issues.
- Review and draft avigation easements.
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