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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Contact

Charles F. Donley II
Partner, Washington, DC
T: +1.202.663.8448
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Pillsbury’s renowned multidisciplinary Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) team understands UAS companies face a multitude of issues. Representing UAS manufacturers, operators, end-users, investors and counter-UAS companies, we provide end-to-end counsel to help develop a strategy for success. Pillsbury’s UAS team can help navigate the evolving legal landscape from FAA regulations to data privacy, security to communications, and export control to corporate matters. 

Pillsbury’s UAS lawyers serve as legal counsel to a number of global and emerging UAS companies that are actively seeking to leverage and realize the full commercial potential of UAS, including market entry to the US. Our lawyers provide up-to-the-minute guidance on UAS licensing and operation. We regularly and actively engage in the analysis and development of policies, regulations, technologies and procedures needed for UAS integration. Our capabilities include:

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  • Aviation Regulatory: Our Aviation, Aerospace & Transportation team provides comprehensive regulatory guidance and legal services to UAS commercial and governmental clients. We counsel companies that are seeking FAA Part 107 waivers, exemptions, and certification. Our aviation lawyers frequently act as a liaison between UAS companies and the FAA.
  • International Trade: Our International Trade lawyers have in-depth, comprehensive experience advising global UAS manufacturers on ITAR and EAR compliance, licensing, and enforcement issues. Further, we assist clients with matters such as: CFIUS, FOCI mitigation, and other regulation of foreign investment; customs compliance and enforcement; tariffs and trade policy; FCPA compliance; and trade issues.
  • Department of Defense and Government Contracts: Our Government Contracts group provides its clients with the nation’s only truly bicoastal Government Contracts practice group. Several of our practitioners have security clearances and have served as prosecutors, Department of Defense or civilian agency lawyers. We are seasoned in working through the complexities of competing for, winning, and performing government contracts. Our lawyers have advised clients at every stage of government contracting process, from solicitation through final audit, and have decades of experience in advising and representing local, national, and international businesses at the federal and state levels. Our lawyers regularly advise clients in the aerospace and defense industries, including UAS manufacturers, on matters as diverse as IP rights and M&A transactions.
  • Government Law & Strategies: Our Government Law & Strategies group has successfully advocated for policy changes to laws affecting defense interests in the annual National Defense Authorization Act and has sought and secured millions of dollars in funding for client companies through the congressional appropriations process. Navigating Capitol Hill and federal agencies is a complex process and at Pillsbury, our team provides exceptional influence with, and subject matter expertise respected by, top policy and decision makers.
  • Telecommunications: Pillsbury’s Communications practice has been at the forefront of telecommunications issues for more than 40 years, representing wireline and VoIP service providers, including the VoIP industry’s leading trade association, as well as telecommunications investors and lenders.
  • Intellectual Property: Pillsbury provides comprehensive intellectual property advice and protection to clients worldwide. On the cutting edge of IP for more than 120 years, Pillsbury’s intellectual property lawyers provide clients with successful and comprehensive IP strategies to protect, manage and optimize IP assets. We also assert and defend infringement claims and resolve IP-related disputes before regulatory bodies, in courts and at the negotiating table. Our team includes over 60 IP lawyers—many bilingual—plus technical consultants, patent agents and former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office examiners. Many team members are scientists and engineers with advanced degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering, chemistry, biotechnology, physics and numerous other technical disciplines.

Representative Experience

  • Assist UAS manufacturers obtain Part 107 waivers for BVLOS, high altitudes, and high groundspeed.
  • Assist multiple defense-focused unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) manufacturers with comprehensive corporate, litigation, regulatory, and public policy advice.

Practice Area Highlights

Our UAS lawyers include experienced practitioners in:

  • Aviation – recognized by Chambers USA as a leading firm for both finance and regulatory matters in the aviation industry (2012 – 2025).
  • International Trade – Chambers and Partners consistently rates the firm’s International Trade practice highly across multiple disciplines (2012 – 2025), with Chambers Global and Chambers USA practice rankings for Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, CFIUS and Trade Remedies & Trade Policy, and a Chambers Greater China Region ranking for International Trade/WTO (2024).
  • Communications – Chambers USA has ranked the firm’s Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite team as a leading practice in Washington, D.C. (2021 – 2025) and The Legal 500 U.S. recognizes our Communications/FCC regulatory practice as one of the best in the United States (2008 – 2025).
  • Construction – nationally ranked in Construction Law and Litigation – Construction by Best Lawyers (2025).
  • Privacy/data security – Recognized as a “Firm to Watch” by The Legal 500 U.S. (2024 – 2025) as leading practitioners in this vitally important field.
  • Interactive Gaming – Our firm’s Internet & Social Media practice was recognized by Interactive Age (2011) as one of the United States’ top three practices in this rapidly evolving area of the law.
  • Insurance Recovery & Advisory – Members of the practice are consistently ranked by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 U.S., and Best Lawyers (2012 – 2025). The firm is a five-time honoree as a Law360 “Insurance Practice of the Year.”
  • Global Sourcing – Chambers UK and Chambers USA repeatedly recognize Pillsbury’s Outsourcing and Information Technology practices as among the best globally (2012 – 2025). For more than a decade (2010 – 2025), The Legal 500 U.S. has counted us among the handful of Tier 1 outsourcing firms. And the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals has repeatedly selected Pillsbury as one of the “World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors.”

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