Michael Best’s Unmanned Technology team serves the diverse needs of the fast-growing drone industry. We assist our clients in achieving their business goals and objectives by providing a comprehensive set of services required to launch and maintain a successful drone business in the sky or on the ground.
As businesses increasingly take advantage of unmanned technology, Michael Best is poised to offer strategic guidance at every step. Our multidisciplinary Unmanned Technology team is comprised of attorneys from our corporate, government relations, emerging companies and venture capital, privacy and cybersecurity, labor and employment, intellectual property, and litigation practices. We combine legal and business expertise to provide practical advice to clients from drone technology start-ups to corporations using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) in the course of business.
Service Areas
Regulatory
Navigating evolving FAA regulations, including BVLOS, night operations, and related waivers, as well as state and local laws restricting the use of unmanned technology. Through our government relations affiliate, Michael Best Strategies, we advocate for regulatory change at the federal and state levels and help clients make key political connections.
Development of Drone Programming
Assisting companies leverage unmanned technology by designing corporate drone programs, policies, and best practices that comply with FAA, state, and local regulations and align with corporate strategy. Michael Best has a diverse Labor & Employment section that can assist in drafting employment agreements and policies that encourage recruitment and retention across all 50 states.
Funding and Investment
Representing technology investors, established companies, and entrepreneurs in forming and growing start-ups, investment fund formation, private equity investments, venture capital and growth capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, and competitive disputes.
Intellectual Property
Helping unmanned technology innovators secure, monetize, enforce, and strategically manage all types of intellectual property: patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret. We also provide IP due diligence for acquisitions and technology transactions. Many of our patent attorneys and technical professionals have advanced degrees or previous work experience in aerospace, computer, software, electrical, and mechanical engineering and computer science fields.
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Depending on the type of information, where it was acquired, where it is stored, where it is processed, and to where and whom it is transferred, there are many data privacy security laws and regulations that may be applicable. Our team of privacy professionals can assess these potential legal and regulatory requirements, evaluate your business risk, respond to any known threats or breaches, and provide guidance on best practices and retention of collected data.
Related Industry Groups
Our firm represents clients in a variety of industries actively using unmanned technology, such as:
We also have expertise in a number of other industry sectors being transformed by drone technology, including logistics, real estate, mining, defense, insurance, telecommunications, and entertainment.
Best Autonomous Insights Consulting
A part of Michael Best Consulting, our multidisciplinary Best Autonomous Insights team combines deep knowledge and more than 30 years of industry experience with comprehensive business advisory capabilities. Whether your company is built around developing autonomous technology or you’re incorporating these innovations into your existing business model, our team can help you optimize efficiency and ROI while avoiding pitfalls. Our Best Autonomous Insights professionals have a reputation for blazing trails and moving the industry forward.
MORE