Hogan Lovells Adds Lisa Ellman to Unmanned Aircraft Systems Group

WASHINGTON, D.C., 8 June 2015 – Making a significant commitment to its leading unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) practice, Hogan Lovells announced that Lisa Ellman, a widely recognized lawyer and thought leader in the UAS industry, has joined as a partner in the Government Regulatory practice in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Ellman will be co-leading the firm’s UAS group with aviation partner E. Tazewell Ellett.  Her arrival augments Hogan Lovell’s preeminent UAS Group, which combines its premiere position in aviation, privacy, communications regulatory, export, and corporate transactions worldwide.

Ellman represents companies on legislative and public policy issues with an emphasis on emerging high level trends, including commercial and private UAS. She counsels clients on a wide range of matters, including navigating the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) regulatory structure, privacy, national security, international counseling, strategic consulting, export control, corporate assistance, public policy counseling, and more.

At Hogan Lovells, Ellman will bring to bear her extensive experience in this emerging industry, and she will advise and assist clients in their interactions with government at the highest federal and state levels on UAS, and other policy issues faced at the intersection of law and business.

“Our UAS practice continues to set new standards in this game-changing industry – it has become one of our most vibrant groups, working with a wide range of major industry stakeholders.  Lisa has done a tremendous job creating her own brand-name recognition in the UAS sector,” said Agnes Dover, global head of Hogan Lovells’ Government Regulatory practice group. “Lisa’s strategic and policy-making skills will provide clients the advice and counsel essential to this rapidly evolving and competitive sector.  Lisa is both entrepreneurial and savvy on government policy, from her leadership role in the administration.  She will be a lightning rod around which all of the disciplines surrounding our UAS practice will coalesce.”

Ellman served as the co-chair of her previous firm’s UAS practice group.

Prior to that, Ellman served several years in the Obama Administration.  As an appointee in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy, Ellman developed and implemented high-priority policy initiatives leading the Justice Department’s Working Group on Domestic Use of UAS, and represented the Department in the interagency process.  Previously, she led the Department’s work on campaign finance policy in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.

“Lisa’s background in various government agencies is invaluable,” said Mike House, Director of Hogan Lovells’ Legislative group. “Her experience in law and policy at the top levels of the Executive Branch, and her focus on cross-selling other firm disciplines will be an ideal fit for our Washington office.”

Ellman has also held senior positions within three White House agencies: the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Office of Management and Budget / Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OMB/OIRA), and the Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO). As Chief Counselor for the Open Government Partnership for the Executive Office of the President, she represented the U.S. internationally leading the Obama administration’s domestic effort to make government more efficient, effective, transparent and collaborative.

Ellman has advised more than 40 countries on open government strategy and has worked in close partnership with civil society organizations and private industry to further these commitments.  While at OMB, she served as the U.S. point person with Mexico to enhance economic competitiveness and economic well-being for both countries through improved international regulatory cooperation. She coordinated trilateral regulatory cooperation efforts among Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.

“Joining Hogan Lovells is a tremendous opportunity that will allow me to partner with the greatest technological innovators of our generation and work with them to achieve their incredible visions,” said Ellman. “The firm’s premiere UAS and legislative practice and multidisciplinary approach provide clients with a truly unmatched value.”

Ellman earned her B.A. in History from the University of Michigan and her J.D. and M.P.P. from the University of Chicago Law School and Harris School of Public Policy.

Hogan Lovells has had a perennially top-rated Aviation, Communications, Export, Legislative, Privacy, and Transactional practices, all the elements of which are required to address the regulatory and transactional issues facing the UAS industry.  The firm’s dedicated multi-disciplinary UAS Group works across its global platform to address the business opportunities and regulatory challenges posed by this new technology.

 

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