On September 29, 2025, as the first event in the academic year, we were thrilled to host Joshua Gruenspecht, National Security & Trade Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, for an engaging discussion on Practicing National Security Law at a Law Firm.

We co-organized the event alongside the Stanford National Security Law Society (SNSLS), the Stanford Artificial Intelligence and Law Society (SAILS), and the China Law and Policy Association (CLPA). Several highlights from the event:

⚖️ Bridging Policy and Practice: Drawing from over a decade of experience, Joshua walked us through the mechanics of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and related regimes that govern cross-border investments and technology transfer.

🌍 National Security in a Globalized Economy: From biotechnology to video games, Joshua highlighted how modern national security law may be applicable in “traditionally unexpected” sectors—reflecting a world where technological innovation, data infrastructure, and investments are increasingly globally intertwined.

🛰️ Implications for the Space Sector: As outer space becomes an increasingly international and commercial domain, frameworks like CFIUS and export control are playing a growing role in shaping the future of space investment and technology collaboration.

On May 12, 2025, we had the immense pleasure of hosting Laura Lariu, Partner of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, at Stanford Law School. We first met Laura at the Space Beach Law Lab in March and were thrilled to welcome her on campus for this event. During our fireside chat, which was joined by law students and students from the Stanford University School of Engineering, we had the unique opportunity to learn about Laura’s personal story and journey to becoming a space lawyer:

• Laura’s wide-ranging interests and curiosity led her to Emerging Companies and Venture Capital work in New York, an experience that exposed her to a range of technology sectors. Eventually, this sparked a leap into Virgin Hyperloop, where she discovered how dynamic and interdisciplinary startup legal work can be, supporting fast-moving teams across every corner of the business.

• Later, Laura joined Relativity Space as the first in-house legal hire, just as the company was entering a period of explosive growth. Over the next few years, Laura helped Relativity scale from less than 100 to over 1,000 employees, raising more than $1.3 billion in funding and vastly expanding their physical infrastructure. Laura made it a point to walk the factory floor, meet engineers, and listen closely to their needs, proactively embedding legal support into the company’s culture and technical workflows.

• Today, at Orrick, Laura brings her deep in-house experience to support clients in both space and non-space sectors. Laura spoke about the value of cross-practice work, the overlap between ECVC and space tech, and the importance of asking legal questions early, especially when navigating cutting-edge technologies.

On April 22, 2025, we had the immense privilege of hosting Professor Frans von der Dunk for a lunch talk titled “Privateers or Pirates: Private Space Companies and Outer Space Law.” The event explored how evolving geopolitical realities—like the privatization of space assets and the rise of space as a military domain—are testing the limits of current legal frameworks. Some of the issues we discussed included:

-Private actors are increasingly central to space conflicts: From companies like Starlink supporting military communications to Wagner-like groups engaging in cyber operations, non-state actors are now deeply embedded in modern warfare, and space is no exception.

-The Woomera Manual on the International Law of Military Space Operations is helping define the legal boundaries of military space activity: As space becomes more strategically contested, the Woomera Manual offers a structured attempt to clarify how international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict apply beyond Earth. The Manual invites us to think about the potential and the limitations of applying terrestrial legal principles to the space domain.

-Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty places responsibility squarely on States: Even when space activities are carried out by private entities, States remain internationally responsible for ensuring authorization and continuing supervision. This is a uniquely strict regime under international law, and one that becomes especially consequential in cases involving potential armed conflict or dual-use technologies.

On 13 February 2025 (Thursday), the Stanford Space Law Society had the privilege of hosting David G., Acting General Counsel at Vast, and Shaya Afshar, Associate General Counsel, for a deep dive into the legal perspectives of commercial space stations. Vast is a cutting-edge space company working to develop the world’s first commercial space stations, with Haven-1 set to launch in 2026.

Career Paths and Lessons
David and Shaya shared their unique journeys from Big Law to Vast. They emphasized:
– The value of mentorship in navigating career transitions.
– The transferable skills from private practice—IP, government contracts, and commercial transactions—that prepared them for the fast-paced world of space startups.
– The importance of finding a niche area and developing deep expertise early in one’s career.
– The ability to simplify complex legal concepts for advising startups and policymakers.

Legal Challenges in Space Startups
Unlike traditional companies, space startups require lawyers to be deeply involved in business strategy, regulatory navigation, and fast-moving transactions. Our speakers highlighted:
– The challenges of shifting from law firm to in-house counsel, where lawyers may often assist in non-legal roles.
– The balance between risk and innovation, especially when navigating uncharted legal territory.
– The need for lawyers to work across disciplines, coordinating with engineers, policymakers, and business teams.

Key Drivers Shaping the Industry
Our discussion also covered:
– Government vs. Commercial Contracts – The complexities of liability and regulatory oversight when dealing with government partners vs. private clients.
– Intellectual Property in Private Space Stations – How companies manage licensing, payload agreements, and astronaut participation.
– The Commercial Opportunities of Private Space Stations – Private space stations may allow for greater flexibility in commercial partnerships, regulatory structures, and operational models compared to the International Space Station, which operates under intergovernmental agreements.

On 18 November 2024 (Monday), the Stanford Space Law Society and the Stanford Law Start-Up Project had the honor of hosting Dan Berkenstock, a distinguished fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University as well as the founding CEO and CPO of Skybox Imaging (acquired by Google for $500 million in 2014). Dan led an insightful discussion on the evolution of satellite technology and the crucial role of space law in supporting the growth of space startups. Key takeaways:

– Evolution of Satellite Technology: From early analog film shot into space to today’s HD satellite imaging, which is transforming industries like communications, climate monitoring, and national security. Companies like Planet and LeoLabs are leading the charge with innovative satellite solutions, reshaping how we observe and interact with our planet.

– Role of Space Lawyers: The critical role of lawyers in helping space startups secure funding from investors and navigate intellectual property protections, as well as compliance with industry regulations, including satellite licensing, Federal Communications Commission rules, and NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Earth-observation data oversight, etc.

– Need for New Thinking in Space Law: Dan’s talk came just ahead of SpaceX’s Starship flight test on 19 November 2024. With Starship’s potential to carry significantly larger payloads and reduce launch costs, it will open new possibilities for satellite deployments and space missions. At the same time, as new technologies push the boundaries of space exploration, the legal and regulatory frameworks must evolve. With innovations in payload capabilities and cost-effective launch solutions, space law will need to adapt to support the growing New Space Economy.