Lisa Ellman

As chair of the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) practice and co-founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Commercial Drone Alliance, Lisa is focused on helping businesses succeed in the dynamic drone marketplace. She also focuses on UAS security efforts and enabling Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Lisa founded and hosts the Advanced Aviation Innovation Summit series, bringing together regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore ways to enhance U.S. global leadership in advanced aviation.

As a member of the firm’s Transportation and Aviation practices, Lisa has a broad understanding of policy issues and advises crewed aviation organizations, self-driving car companies and other transportation clients as they implement innovative solutions.

Throughout her career, Lisa has worked to bridge government policymaking and business innovation. She has held a variety of positions at the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), including leading the DOJ's effort to develop policy to govern the use of UAS in the United States. Lisa also has extensive federal advisory committee experience, including on the NASA Advisory Council Aeronautics Committee and as a leader on the FAA's BVLOS and UAS Detection and Mitigation Aviation Rulemaking Committees.

In 2022, Lisa was named Most Innovative Practitioner in The Financial Times Innovative Lawyers North America awards.  She is a highly sought-after thought leader and regularly appears on television to discuss new developments. Her opinions have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Fortune and other publications.  She was recognized in Fortune's "Most Powerful Women" series for her efforts to develop policy to govern drone use in the United States.