Legal Council

Mr. Gilles Doucet

Gilles Doucet is an independent space security consultant with expertise in satellite technologies, military space applications, space regulatory frameworks and international space security cooperation.

Mr Doucet recently retired from the Canadian Department of National Defence after 35 years as a DRDC scientist, where he held numerous positions researching and assessing space capabilities relevant to military applications. He headed multidisciplinary scientific teams providing expertise to the Canadian Armed Forces for operations and threats, DND for policy and Global Affairs Canada for technology exports and international engagement.

Mr Doucet’s experience also includes a diplomatic role, serving as Counsellor for Defence R&D at the Canadian Embassy in Paris, France from 2008 to 2010. Mr Doucet holds Bachelor & Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Ottawa, 1981 & 1993) and a Graduate Certificate of Air and Space Law (McGill, 2017).

Dr. Roy Balleste

Dr. Roy Balleste is Professor of Law and Law Library Director at St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA. He completed his doctorate degree (J.S.D.) in Intercultural Human Rights (analyzing internet governance policy, including its history, actors, and institutions).

Professor Balleste teaches internet governance policy and cybersecurity policy. He has concentrated his scholarship and advocacy in the areas of internet governance, suborbital flights, cybersecurity, human rights, and the relationship between technology, public policy, regulations, and advocacy priorities.

Professor Balleste is a member of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ Noncommercial Users Stakeholder Group (ICANN-NCSG) and the Noncommercial Users Constituency (NCUC) of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO). He served as a member of ICANN NCUC’s Executive Committee as the Representative for North America from December 2013 to December 2015.

Professor Balleste is also a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and the Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet).

Balleste served one tour in the US. Navy and one tour in the U.S. Army.

In 2015, Roman and Littlefield published two of his books: ‘Internet Governance: Origins, Current Issues, and Future Possibilities’, and ‘Cybersecurity: Human Rights in the Age of Cyberveillance’ (co-edited with Dr. Joanna Kulesza).

Dr. Marlène M. Losier

Marlène M. Losier is a legal expert in title and proprietary rights over cultural and celestial properties. She advises private and public clients regarding the international and national legal policy implications of transitional disputes over rare objects found on land, underwater and beyond Earth, particularly as they involve the succession of States. She advises also on creating new domestic and international laws with respect to cultural properties. Dr. Losier is an expert in complex matters of sovereign immunity and jurisdiction, where they conflict and when they are evoked in jurisdictional voids. Her academic background is in government and social anthropology and her legal basis is in international litigation, alternative disputes resolution and contractual matters. She is Principal of Losier & González, PLLC based in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Ranjana Kaul

Dr. Kaul is a Partner at Dua Associates, Advocates& Solicitors, in New Delhi, India. She holds an LLM from the Institute of Air & Space Law, Faculty of Law, McGill University, Canada; a Doctorate from University of Poona and a Bachelors in Law degree from the University of Delhi in India.

Dr. Kaul has published papers, participated in various national and international conferences on law of outer space. She is regularly consulted on issues related to application of international aviation and space law regimes to India’s domestic legal regime, including national security aspects.

Dr. Kaul’s legal practice focuses in the areas of aviation law and regulations, space enabled business regulations in India, including e-commerce and company law including joint ventures, M&A and related arbitration.

Dr. Kaul serves in pro-bono capacity on the Board of Trustees of Community Aid& Sponsorship Programme, a NGO which promotes education of under-privileged children and as Chairperson of The Elisabeth Gauba School, New Delhi. She has also served as Member, Delhi State Commission for Women.

Dr. Kaul has been the recipient of the Nicholas Matessco Matte Prize 2004, Faculty of Law, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, The Charles Wallace Trust Award 1990, U.K., the Icchalkaranji Prize 1973, University of Poona and Sir Purshottambhau Wad Prize 1973, University of Poona.

Mr. Jerry Trachtman

Mr. Trachtman is managing shareholder at the Law Offices of Jerry H.Trachtman, P.A. in Melbourne, Florida.

Upon receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at Penn State University, he accepted a position at the Kennedy Space Center as an Apollo spacecraft operations engineer responsible for the prelaunch test and checkout of the Apollo spacecraft instrumentation and telemetry systems. He later served as lead engineer responsible for the Apollo spacecraft integration and prelaunch testing of the lunar orbital science experiments which flew on Apollo 15 – 17.

After Apollo he worked on our first space station, the Skylab program, as Skylab earth resources experiments project integrity engineer.

Mr. Trachtman received his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Florida College of Law in 1976. His practice emphasizes aviation and space related matters, and he is one of 42 lawyers recognized by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Aviation Law.

He is currently serving as chair of the Florida Bar Aviation Law Certification Committee, and serves on the Penn State University College of Engineering’s Industrial and Professional Advisory Council, a select group of representatives from industry, government agencies, academia, and the profession who advise the College of Engineering on academic issues and on current trends and future directions.

He is an instrument rated pilot and flies his Piper Meridian for business and pleasure.

Dr. Guoyu Wang

Dr. Wang holds a doctoral degree in Law and Economics. He is an Associate Professor and Deputy Dean of the Academy of Air, Space Policy and Law, Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT); Legal Counsellor in Space Law, CNSA Lunar Exploration and Space Project Center(2016-), Space Security Consultant of United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) (2015), Academy Senior Fellow of Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), U.K. (2014); Visiting Scholar, National Center for Remote Sensing, Air and Space Law, Mississippi University, U.S..(2011-2012); Space Policy Expert representing China, APSCO Joint Small Multi-Mission Satellite Constellation Project (2016).

Dr. Wang has served as a Chinese delegate, Legal Consultant of the United Nation Committee on the Peaceful use of Outer Space(UNCOPUOS)(2012-), Inter-governmental Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC)(2014-), as well as a Chinese expert in the Long-term Sustainability for Outer Space Activities Working Group of UNCOPUOS(2012-), has been representing China for international space rules and policies negotiation and drafting.

Dr. Wang’s researches focus on international and national space law, international space politics. Dr. Wang’s expertise includes legal and political analysis on space security issues, inter alia, arms control in outer space and space debris mitigation and remediation; space natural resources use and exploration; China space legislation.

Mr. Mohamed Amara

Mr. Mohamed Amara is an Algerian lawyer currently holding the position of General Counsel for the United Arab Emirates Space Agency. Mohamed has been practicing in the GCC region for over 25 years. Before joining the UAE Space Agency, Mohamed also worked for the Abu Dhabi National Oil & Gas Group of companies (ADNOC) where he advised the Group on all legal matters related to the oil & gas, including the drafting of national legislation. Mohamed holds a Master’s Degree in Public law and Economics from the University of Alexandria in Egypt. Mohamed is also a registered Arbitrator in the UAE and has served as Chair and Sole Arbitrator in various cases ranging from construction, real estates, contract interpretation and oil & gas disputes. Currently, Mohamed is engaged in advising the UAE Space Agency on its preparation of the legal framework for the regulation of the space sector in particular the space activities draft law and regulations, and takes part in its delegation to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space .Mohamed is a member of the International Institute of Space Law.

Mr. Alfred Anzaldua

Mr. Al (aka Alfred/Alfredo) Anzaldúa is a retired U.S. State Department diplomat and 30 plus-year veteran of space advocacy. His undergraduate educational background is in Science (pre-Med curriculum) and International Studies, followed by a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies. As a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, he carried out diplomatic and science-related work, primarily in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Washington D.C. Al is Vice-Chair and International Relations Coordinator for the National Space Society (NSS) International Committee, an NSS Policy Committee member, and Officer and Board member of the Tucson L5 Space Society. He has authored a series of articles on space-development issues in the Space Review, the Reflector, Ad Astra, and other publications, including the 5^th volume of the Aerospace Technology Working Group Book published by the Secure World Foundation, et al. As a member of the NSS Policy Committee, Al was the lead author on two NSS policy papers on orbital debris. Al also has given frequent presentations and exhibitions on space-related subjects dating back to 1985. Married with children and grandchildren, he lives in Tucson, Arizona, but spends much of his time in Sauzal, near Ensenada, Mexico.

Ms. Giuliana Rotola

Giuliana holds a joint bachelor and master’s degree from the University of Trento in Comparative, European and Transnational Law. During her studies, she was a research intern in the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL – ESA), and she conducted independent researches in the Institut du Droit de l’Espace et des Télécommunications (IDEST) for her final dissertation on militarization, weaponization and the prevention of an arms race in outer space. In September 2018, Giuliana attended the 27th Summer Course in Space Law and Policy organized by ECSL. In February 2019, she joined the Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies as a research intern. There, she worked, among the others, on publications on Space Archaeology, and space contribution to the UN SDGs. During the ECSL Young Lawyers’ Symposium 2019, she presented her work on the protection of cultural heritage sites on the Moon. She later contributed to the creation of the first digital registry of items on the Moon, with For All Moonkind.

From September 2019, Giuliana is taking a Master of Space Studies at the International Space University. There, she is carrying out a team project on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and an individual research project on the collection of genetic data and human genetic engineering in the space realm.

Ms. Madison Walker

Madison Walker is an Associate at ABH Aerospace, a firm that focuses on aiding space and technology startups. Madison graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate with a concentration in Air and Space Law. She also volunteers with the National Space Society. Madison is new to the field of Space Law but is dedicated to its evolution and advancement.

Mr. Humaid Alshamsi

Humaid Alshamsi is a founding Partner of ABH Aerospace and Legal Counsel to the Dubai World Central Corporation, where he provides legal services for an emerging 145 sq. km. master-planned city that includes aviation and logistic districts beside the world’s biggest airport in the making (Al Maktoum International Airport).

Prior to this current position, Mr. Alshamsi was the first lawyer to work for the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) where he was involved in a number of legislations related to aviation such as Civil Aviation Law, GCAA’s Establishment Law, and Advance Passenger Information Law.

He has also served as a member of the Commission of Experts of the Supervisory Authority of the International Registry (CESAIR) under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Mr. Alshamsi represented the GCAA in committees, working groups, and meetings at international, regional, and national levels.

He completed his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sharjah, UAE, and is expected to earning his LLM in Air and Space Law from McGill University in August 2017.

Ms. Bailey Cunningham

Bailey Cunningham is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Air & Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Bailey received her Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law in 2021. Prior to law school, Bailey attended the University of South Florida, where she majored in Political Science and minored in both Astronomy and Intelligence Studies.

Bailey is a Senior Editor of the Journal of Space Law at the University of Mississippi and a former Legal Intern for the International Law Practice Group at NASA Headquarters. Bailey previously served as the Vice-Chair of the NSS International Committee and is currently the Chair of the NSS President’s Legal Advisory Council. Additionally, Bailey volunteers with For All Moonkind and serves as the Space Law Project Manager.
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Ms. Elina Morozova

Born in Riga, Latvia, Ms. Morozova graduated with honors from the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Department of International Law. In 2008, she completed a postgraduate course in International Economy at the same Academy and qualified as Economist with Foreign Language (English) Skills. In 2010, she earned an LL.M. in International Business Law from the University of Manchester. From 2003 to 2005 Ms. Morozova worked at the legal department of a major Russian telecommunications company.

In September 2005, Ms. Morozova was employed by the Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications as Legal Counsel. In 2010, she was appointed Head of International Legal Service.

Ms. Morozova sits on the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Space Law and is a member of the Expert Committee of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly – Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC). She heads the working group for the revision of the regulatory instruments of the RCC.

She is a member of the Russian Association of International Law and is the author of over a dozen publications concerning international space law and satellite telecommunications in English and Russian.

Dr. Andrea Harrington

Dr. Andrea Harrington is the Associate Director of the LL.M. Program in Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. She was previously an Erin J.C. Arsenault Fellow in Space Governance at the McGill University Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL), where her doctoral research focused on insurance and liability issues for the commercial space industry.

At McGill, she also served as the Teaching Fellow in Private International Air Law and earned numerous awards, including: a P.E.O. Scholar Award, the International Aviation Women’s Association Scholarship, the Secure World Foundation Young Professionals International Astronautical Congress (IAC) Scholarship, and the Setsuko Ushioda-Aoki Prize for academic merit.

Professor Harrington holds a DCL and LLM from the McGill IASL, as well as a JD with High Honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BA from Boston University (Magna Cum Laude).

She is a licensed attorney in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Professor Harrington is currently the Executive Editor of the Journal of Space Law and a member of the editorial board for the American Bar Association publication The Air and Space Lawyer. As a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), she serves as the Faculty Chair for the Advisory Committee to the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition (North America Region).

Ms. Enarda Cuni

Enarda Cuni is a Lawyer that has focused her legal career in private institutions working in public procurement for security services in Tirana. Ms. Cuni completed her Master of Laws in Intercultural Human Rights at St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA (analyzing the right to vote, election law, its implementation, and comparing different human rights systems). She earned her law degree from Luarasi University in Tirana, Albania. She also conducted studies on Transnational Justice, Rule of Laws and Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina (analyzing the human rights violation in Kosovo, the consequences of the conflict and the future of country).

Mrs. Cuni has published papers and participated in various national and international conferences on human rights. In 2013, the Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research evaluated her work for excellence in participation in the third International Conference on Human and Social Sciences, which brought focus on the case of child soldiers. In 2012, Enarda earned the third price in the Therapeutic Jurisprudence Competition at St. Thomas University School of law, Miami, Florida USA.

Ms. Vani Munisami

Vani Munisami is a lawyer specialising in Space law and International law. Originally from Mauritius, she has spent seven years in the United Kingdom, learning the ropes in the legal arena. Her initiation began at King’s College London, where she earned her Bachelor of Laws. She then attended University College London, where she gained experience in International Cultural Heritage Law and the UNESCO, and obtained her Masters in International and Commercial Law. She also holds a Masters degree in Aviation Law and Space Law from McGill University, Canada. Admitted to the Bar of England and Wales, she has dabbled in various fields including Corporate, Employment, Immigration and Arbitration. She has worked as a Legal Advisor and Representative on behalf of a number of British institutions in London and is also an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator.

Mr. Virgiliu Pop

Virgiliu Pop is a Romanian space lawyer and author. He is a member of the International Institute of Space Law and of the European Center for Space Law. He has published several space law articles in “Space Policy” and in the “Proceedings of the Colloquium on the International Law of Outer Space.” In 1999, Virgil attended the Space Generation Forum of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space UNISPACE III in Vienna, Austria, where the Space Generation Advisory Council in Support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications was established. He served in different capacities at national and regional level in this organization and attended several events on youth participation in space related activities. He is also a Director in Cosmica network, and during his stay in the UK he was active as an Executive Member in the Space Development Council, the main UK space policy group. Besides space law, he has a strong interest in the general aspects of space exploration, having attended the ESA-sponsored “Space Station Design Workshop” and “Lunar Base Design Workshop.” Virgil is known for his tongue-in-cheek claim for the ownership of the Sun, an original manner of protesting the phony industry of “extraterrestrial real estate.” His dedication for the subject of property rights in outer space and the originality of his articles earned him the interest of the mass media, being interviewed by several publications from Chile to the United States.

Ms. Lulu Makapela

Lulu Makapela has been professional in the field of aerospace for a period of over 10 years. Currently, Makapela works for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as Project and Contract Manager for the Aerospace and Composite Initiatives. With strong background and expertise in areas demanding strong project management, legal, policy and space treaty implementation focus in broader areas , particularly highly complex areas such as telecommunications, aerospace and space, earth observations and science , Ms Makapela has previously worked as Project Manager of the National Earth Observations and Space Secretariat, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology previously hosted at the CSIR, and Deputy Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Unit of the Department of Trade and Industry . She has also previously worked at the legal, international and Director-General’s office of the Department of Communications, as well as at the Scorpion Legal Protection and the National Prosecuting Authority during in the beginning of her career.

As a young professional in space , Makapela has shown her commitment and dedication to contribute in space science and tecnology and international cooperation in different ways. In 2013 , she was appointed to serve as a Member of the South african Council for Space affairs (SACSA) , a space regulatory body responsible for the regulation of space activities and serves as the Chair of the committee responsible to review the national space legislation. With a passion to attract the Africa youth to consider undertaking space science and legal related careers , she serves as a Member of the Inernational Instiute of Space Law(IISL) and is the Africa Regional Co-ordinator for the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court competition which is held annually on the Africa Continent. She is also the Co-Chair of the Africa Leadership youth Forum , which aims to promote space science among African young professionals and students.

Dr. Anne-Sophie Martin

Anne-Sophie Martin is Doctor of Law specialized in International Law and Space Law. Her doctoral research focused on the legal aspects of dual-use satellites. She received her LL.M in Space Law and Telecommunications Law from the University of Paris-Sud XI (France). On August 2017, she attended the Centre for Studies and Research of the The Hague Academy of International Law whose the research theme was ’50 years of Space Law – Space
Law in 50 years’. She is currently a visiting researcher within the Centre for a Spacefaring Civilization.

Previously, she worked at the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) in Toulouse (France), at the European Commission in Brussels (Belgium) and in Thales Alenia Space in France and in Italy.

In addition to being member of the Space Generation Advisory Council, the International Institute of Space Law, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the European Centre for Space Law and the French Society of Air and Space Law, she is also an observer at ‘The Hague Space Resources Governance Working Group’ in Leiden (The Netherlands).

She is the author of various publications in International Law and Space Law.

Mr. Jonathan Lim

Jonathan Lim is an Australian lawyer, geopolitical analyst, and cyber security analyst. Jon holds a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, and works as a Solicitor at WiseLaw. He is a Young Leader Fellow with Pacific Forum CSIS, prior East Asia Fellow with Young Australians in International Affairs, and is the co-founder of Jus Ad Astra project – seeking to establish human rights across international space law jurisprudence. As a young space lawyer he has contributed his perspectives on space legal and policy affairs with the Australian Institute of International Affairs, Room – The Space Journal, and to Australia’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy.