Profile
An Air Force Academy graduate with a doctorate in Space Law, Milton “Skip” Smith, Chair of the Space and Satellite Industry Group, has more than 40 years of experience advising clients on risk management and other issues related to the aerospace industry. Skip handles complex transactional matters and disputes, nationally and internationally. His combination of skills and experience, coupled with an in-depth understanding of legal and regulatory systems, makes him a sought-after advisor in the aerospace industry. He serves a broad spectrum of clients, including large corporations, startups, manufacturers, and launch service providers. During his Air Force tenure, he held significant roles such as Director of Space Law at Space Command and Chief of Space Law for the Air Force.
Skip assists both national and international clients in navigating legal issues from the planning and operation of space assets to launch and on-orbit services, space insurance, and government contract and regulatory matters. He has negotiated and litigated disputes amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. He negotiates and drafts satellite design, manufacturing and launch agreements as well as on-orbit servicing agreements including: hosted payload, life extension, refueling and debris removal.
Known for his involvement in pioneering legal projects, Skip recently represented a private astronaut on the Axiom AX-1 mission, the first entirely private mission to the International Space Station. His work included negotiating a deal for the first NFT to be minted in on the space station. Additionally, he represented a major aerospace firm in an insurance recovery lawsuit against 28 insurers related to a launch failure, involving unique aspects of the Commercial Space Launch Act.
His deep experience in alternative dispute resolution led to his selection as one of 26 members of the American Arbitration Association's Aerospace, Aviation, and National Security Panel.
Early in his space law career, Skip was the legal advisor for the 50-member U.S. Delegation at the ITU Conference on the Geostationary Satellite Orbit in Geneva. He was involved in establishing and has formerly chaired the Colorado Space Business Roundtable. He served on the board of the International Institute of Space Law for many years and has taught space law as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Law School, the George Washington University Law School, and the University of Denver Law School.
Recognized as an industry leader, Skip has received multiple accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Institute of Space Law. In 2022, he was elected an Honorary Director of the Institute for life. He also wrote the U.S. chapter for the first edition of the “Space Law Review” published by The Law Reviews.
In 2021 and 2022, Skip was chosen by his peers as one of the top fourteen lawyers in the U.S. in the Space & Satellite Law section of Who’s Who Legal. He has authored numerous space-related articles and a book on international satellite communication, and he frequently speaks at national and international events on commercial space law topics.
Capabilities
Experience
- Represented an Israeli Private Astronaut who flew on the first all-private mission to the International Space Station in April 2022. Negotiated this first-of-its-kind contract with Axiom Space for the mission to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. This contract involved complex issues of U.S. and international space law, coordination with NASA and the Israeli Space Agency, and the evaluation of unique risks and risk-management measures.°
- Represented a major aerospace company in insurance recovery litigation stemming from an on-pad launch failure. Handled numerous insurance defense counsel motions.°
- Represented an aerospace company suffering unfair competition from the U.S. government by addressing the issues with the government agencies involved.°
- Represented defense contractors in litigation involving the U.S. government with values exceeding $500 million.
- Represented a major subcontractor against the prime contractor at the Hanford Nuclear Site, achieving a multimillion-dollar settlement of claims.°
- Litigated major multidistrict cases for the Air Force, including asbestos, Agent Orange, and aviation accident cases, and international arbitration for the Department of State (lran-U.S. Claims Tribunal).°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Smith prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- United States Air Force, 1973-1993
- Director of Space Law at Space Command, 1984-1988
- Chief of Space Law for the Air Force, 1989-1991
- JAG, 1976-1993
- Adjunct Professor, University of Colorado Law School, 2011-2013
- Adjunct Professor, The George Washington University Law School, 1989-1990
- Adjunct Professor, University of Denver Law School, 2020-2022
Recognition & Leadership
- Selected, Who’s Who Legal, “Space & Satellite Law,” 2021-2023
- International Institute of Space Law
- Recipient, “Lifetime Achievement Award,” 2016, the Institute’s highest honor
- Named, “Honorary Director for Life,” 2023
- National Finalist, White House Fellowships Program, 1989
- Selected, United States Air Force, “Outstanding Career Armed Services Attorney,” 1990
- Selected, United States Air Force Academy “The Outstanding Cadet in Law,” 1973
- Director, International Institute of Space Law, 2012-Present
- Board Member, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 2020-Present
- Member, Law360 Editorial Advisory Board, Aerospace & Defense, 2024
- Former Chair, Colorado Space Business Roundtable, 1993-1995
Credentials
- D.C.L., McGill University, Institute of Air and Space Law
- LL.M., McGill University, Institute of Air and Space Law
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School
- Colorado