With more than 40 years of experience, Milton “Skip” Smith advises on aerospace, defense and government contracts, risk management, and construction law matters.

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE

Skip possesses a unique skillset and is regularly sought after for his deep industry knowledge and aerospace insight and experience. Skip represents clients in nearly every segment of the aerospace industry, from large companies to startup ventures and from manufacturers to launch service providers. He helps national and international clients address legal matters ranging from the planning, purchasing, and operation of space assets to launch services and space insurance, government contract issues, regulatory issues, and other matters. Skip has also negotiated deals and litigated disputes with dollar values in the hundreds of millions. Further, he has considerable alternative dispute resolution experience and was selected by the American Arbitration Association as one of 26 members of its Aerospace, Aviation, and National Security Panel.

An Air Force Academy graduate with a doctorate in air and space law, Skip is a former Air Force JAG who held several significant leadership positions during his Air Force career, including director of space law at Space Command and chief of air and space law for the Air Force. He also served in Geneva as the legal advisor of the 50-person U.S. Delegation at the ITU Conference on the Geostationary Satellite Orbit. A past chair of the Colorado Space Business Roundtable, Skip is on the board of the International Institute of Space Law. He has served as an adjunct professor of space law at the University of Colorado Law School and the George Washington University Law School.

Regarded as a leader in the field, Skip has received numerous honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Institute of Space Law. Skip was selected to author the United States chapter in the inaugural edition of the “Space Law Review,” a series published by The Law Reviews. He is the author of six space-related law review articles and of a book on the international regulation of satellite communication. Skip speaks nationally and internationally on commercial space law issues.

CONSTRUCTION 

In the construction law arena, Skip represents general contractors, subcontractors, and property owners, negotiating, advising on, and enforcing contracts; providing counsel regarding large-scale infrastructure projects; and resolving disputes in and out of court. Skip often represents construction clients in disputes with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and obtained the largest award ever against CDOT in a hotly contested five-week arbitration.

Repeatedly recognized by “Best Lawyers in America” in the field of construction law, Skip frequently speaks, writes, and advises on construction law issues.