Call Brendan Schulman a drone lawyer. Schulman, who is special counsel at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel and founder of its unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) practice group, fought off the Federal Aviation Administration’s first attempt to fine a commercial drone pilot last spring. His client, Raphael Pirker, was assessed a $10,000 penalty for flying a 56-inch foam glider above the University of Virginia to shoot ad footage. In March, Schulman won a ruling nixing the fine; at press time the FAA’s appeal awaited a ruling by the National Transportation Safety Board. The American Lawyer caught up with Schulman to talk drones and law.
When did you start the UAS practice?
