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First Space Lawyer Graduates

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the great-more-lawyers dept.

PHPNerd writes "Over at space.com is an interesting article about the first space lawyer. He graduated from the University of Mississippi. 'Any future space lawyer might have to deal with issues ranging from the fallout over satellite shoot-downs to legal disputes between astronauts onboard the International Space Station. The expanding privatization of the space sector may also pose new legal challenges [...] "We are particularly proud to be offering these space law certificates for the first time, since ours is the only program of its kind in the U.S. and only one of two in North America," said Samuel Davis, law dean at the University of Mississippi.'"

10 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. just what we need by crazybit · · Score: 5, Funny

    a new breed of lawyers

    --
    - Human knowledge belongs to the world
    1. Re:just what we need by CowboyNealOption · · Score: 5, Funny

      And here I was hoping space would be one place to someday finally have a lawyer-free haven.

  2. Most states don't recognize specialization... by Anonymous+Freak · · Score: 5, Informative

    In the states I've looked up, "specializing" as a lawyer means nothing. Every lawyer is on 100% equal footing with regard to the law. The "family law" lawyer has exactly the same legal standing as a "criminal defense attorney", wether the trial is a messy divorce or a murder trial.

    While I suppose it's good to have specialized training in law for a specific field, this just seems silly. I mean, I'm sure there have been lawyers before (working for NASA, Lockheed, Boeing, etc,) that have "specialized" in space law. Who cares if the diploma lists "space law", really?

    --
    Another non-functioning site was "uncertainty.microsoft.com."
    The purpose of that site was not known.
    1. Re:Most states don't recognize specialization... by IP_Troll · · Score: 5, Informative

      Exceptions! Patent Attorneys and Maritime Attorneys. Attorneys are not allowed to use those prefixes in a description of their profession unless they have passed special Federal bars, which are seperate from state bars. Although many IP attorneys say they litigate patents, a Patent Attorney is the only one that can secure a patent from the patent office. Similarly a Maritime Attorney is the only type of attorney that can litigate in Maritime law tribunals. From the article it sounds like this is just a novelty concentration for law school and nothing more.

  3. In space... by elliotm00 · · Score: 5, Funny

    In space, no one can hear you sue.

  4. I, for one . . . by Tanman · · Score: 5, Funny

    [comment deleted due to space copyright]
    -Space Lawyer

  5. Nor do they with doctors . . . by Tanman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Specialization has, for most professions, been a way for the industry to differentiate between its own members. It is not a government-recognized title. For example, a medical doctor can legally perform brain surgery without the 7 year neurosurgery residency. More than that, someone who has completed the 7-year training and *fails* the neurosurgery boards can legally perform brain surgery.

    Many HMO clinics/etc, as a cost-cutting measure, will actually hire 'radiologists' and other specialists who have been unable to pass their boards. This is because, while they are legally allowed to practice whatever medicine they want (assuming they have their state license to practice medicine), they will work cheap 'cause anyone who checks their credentials will likely turn them away.

    On another note, always check your physicians credentials :)

  6. Actually, I think he will be in high demand... by Essron · · Score: 5, Funny

    because everyone who bought "property" on the moon will need to sue their real estate agent.

  7. But.. by Fr4ncis · · Score: 5, Funny

    Weren't their fees already.. astronomical?

  8. bzzt by delong · · Score: 5, Informative

    Inaccurate. This is not the first "space lawyer." It is the first "space law certificate" from a law school to a graduating law student. There are a multitude of "space lawyers" already.

    And just to be nitpicky, just because this person graduates from law school with this certificate doesn't make them a "space lawyer." Graduating from law school doesn't make you a lawyer. Passing the bar makes you a lawyer, and the certificate doesn't mean a damn.