As Space, Telecom and Defense Sector Innovation Booms, Pillsbury Adds Leading Space & Satellite Authority Jodi Goldberg as a Partner in Washington, DC

“Rapid technological developments have driven unprecedented commercial interest in space, but there are substantial legal issues for would-be market participants to navigate, with few law firms having the necessary expertise to address these multi-disciplinary questions,” said Pillsbury Chair David Dekker. “Pillsbury was ahead of the curve in establishing a comprehensive practice in this area, and Jodi is an important and dynamic addition to it. She brings a wealth of relevant regulatory and transactional law experience to what is already a market-leading team.”

The firm has advised on numerous high-profile Space & Satellite matters including:

• Representing AT&T on its investment in AST SpaceMobile, which is building the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible by smartphones.
• Representing Intelsat, the largest global satellite provider, on sanctions and export controls matters.
• Representing reuseable rocket leader Stoke Space on more than $600 million in equity and debt financings—including its recent $260 million Series C funding round—and numerous regulatory matters.
• Representing Shield AI on numerous funding round, bringing the company’s valuation to $2.8 billion.
• Advising on the successful defense of space rocket manufacturer Vector Launch against trademark infringement claims.
• Representing Arianespace, the world’s first commercial launch service provider, in reviewing a $1.3 billion commercial launch contract, which was at the time the largest in history.
• Advising Northrop Grumman with respect to insurance coverage for a new space shuttle project.

Over the course of her career, Goldberg has been instrumental in helping telecommunications, space and satellite companies navigate complex regulatory landscapes and transactional hurdles. She advises clients on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing, broadband infrastructure, orbital debris mitigation, international market access and satellite service agreements, often representing them before key agencies such as the FCC, National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Goldberg is also a leading advisor at the nexus of commercial space and national security. She advises on national security reviews involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and Team Telecom, a committee that advises the FCC on national security and law enforcement concerns related to telecommunications licenses and transactions involving foreign ownership, further strengthening Pillsbury’s industry leading support for allied-heritage companies entering the U.S. market. This is increasingly essential as commercial space and satellite become a critical element of the U.S.’s national security capabilities, including with the Federal Government’s Golden Dome effort.

“Jodi’s vast experience with global regulatory frameworks allows her to serve clients across the telecommunications, space and satellite industries, adding important new dimensions to our strong existing practice in this area,” said Nancy Fischer, Pillsbury’s global head of the Regulatory practice. “She brings key expertise to our muti-disciplinary practice, which includes communications, international trade, government contracts, national security and public policy, corporate, finance, outsourcing, intellectual property, investigations, insurance recovery and disputes.”

Goldberg is the latest in a string of cross-discipline hires connected to Pillsbury’s technology and national security capabilities. The firm recently welcomed intellectual property partner J. Rick Taché in the San Diego office; Silicon Valley-based Daphne Higgs, a technology-focused partner who joined the Global Sourcing & Technology Transactions practice; and national security and defense innovation-focused senior counsel Justin S. Rubin and senior policy advisor John M. Thomas in Washington, DC.

“I am thrilled to join Pillsbury at such an exciting time in the space and satellite industry,” said Goldberg. “The firm’s interdisciplinary strength provides a powerful platform to help clients navigate the evolving legal and regulatory challenges in this sector. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to seize the many opportunities ahead.”

Among the first firms to practice commercial space law, Pillsbury provides comprehensive end-to-end counsel to space and satellite operators, investors, manufacturers and defense contractors, as well as NewSpace companies and founders. Our multi-disciplinary team—including experience in emerging companies & venture capital, corporate/M&A, finance, licensing and regulatory, government affairs, government and commercial contracts, export control and international trade, intellectual property, investigations, insurance recovery and disputes—helps space and satellite clients acquire what is needed to build, launch, operate, finance and expand their businesses.