Representative Experience
- Represented reusable rocket developer STOKE Space in its $65 million funding round led by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures; this was the largest pure Series A investments ever for a space company.
- Represented Arianespace, the world’s leading commercial launch service provider, in reviewing the [then] largest commercial launch contract in history ($1.3 billion).
- Advised Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems on a variety of patent prosecution matters relating to spacecraft systems and technologies.
View More
- Emerging Companies and Venture Capital
- Represented ACTEL in early-stage financing to bring satellite technology to the continent of Africa.
- Represented high-resolution satellite imagery software platform Pixia Corp. from inception through numerous rounds of financing and on its eventual $250 million sale to public company Cubic Corporation.
- Represented reusable rocket developer STOKE Space in its $65 million funding round led by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures; this was the largest pure Series A investments ever for a space company.
- Also represented STOKE in its investment from In-Q-Tel, the strategic investor for the U.S. intelligence and defense community.
- Represented Vector Launch, developer of microsatellites intended to connect space startups and innovators with reliable space access, in general corporate matters.
- Represent Proteus Space, operator of a space company aimed at providing small satellite systems integration services, in general corporate matters.
- Corporate/M&A
- Due diligence effort for AT&T related to a potential small investment in a satellite company
- Represented Synaptech, a digital engineering, modeling and simulation software developer focused on the national security and space industries, in its acquisition by LMI, a consulting firm to the U.S. government.
- Represented General Atomics in its acquisition of the majority of the assets of Surrey Satellite Technology U.S. LLC, provider of innovative small satellite technologies, systems and services.
- Assisted an Australian telecommunications company in its acquisition of orbital slots for the first privately owned satellite program in Australia.
- Represented Cowen & Company, LLC as financial advisor to space technology/aerospace company, SpaceDev, Inc. in its acquisition by Sierra Nevada Corporation.
- Regulatory
- Represented satellite companies Echostar, Ligado, 03B Networks, SES and XM Radio in regulatory and/or transactional matters.
- Working with Intelsat, the largest global satellite provider, on sanctions and export controls matters.
- Working with Ultisat/Speedcast in connection with the reorganization and facility clearance/export controls/CFIUS work.
- Working with Rivada, a new low-orbit satellite company on trade matters.
- Working with American satellite communications company Ligado Networks (formerly LightSquared), mainly in connection with export controls.
- Commercial Contracts
- Assisted an Australian telecommunications company in the negotiation of complex partnership and system procurement agreements for the first privately owned satellite program in Australia.
- Represented Arianespace, the world’s leading commercial launch service provider, in reviewing the [then] largest commercial launch contract in history ($1.3 billion).
- Advised Bulgaria Sat EAD with legal opinions in respect to customer contracts and related consents to assignment in connection with a satellite financing led by EXIM Bank.
- Counseling Honeywell International on government contract matters, including response to Commerce RFI for industrial base (space) information.
- Intellectual Property
- Represent Atlas Space Operations on patent prosecution issues involving satellite communications.
- Represented Space Data Corporation in a trade secret and patent infringement dispute against Alphabet Inc. regarding balloon-based stratospheric internet networks.
- Advised Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems on a variety of patent prosecution matters relating to spacecraft systems and technologies.
- Defended space rocket manufacturer Vector Launch against trademark infringement claims, leading to a favorable settlement.
- Finance & Restructuring
- Assisted an Australian telecommunications company in obtaining both equity- and export-credit-backed project financing for the first privately owned satellite program in Australia.
- Served as debtor’s counsel for a rocket manufacturing and satellite technology company. (In re VL Wind Down f/k/a Vector Launch, Inc.).
- Disputes & Investigations
- Representation of a major U.S. aerospace company in connection with internal investigations of possible FCPA violations in China, Greece, Spain, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
- Advice to a major U.S. aerospace company in connection with payments made under contracts with a Russian-based service provider.
- Represented a U.S. satellite manufacturer against a Bulgarian provider of direct TV and internet services in a successful arbitration after the buyer defaulted on its financial obligations.
- Insurance Recovery & Advisory
- Providing Northrop Grumman with insurance coverage advice regarding a new space shuttle project.