NASA’s Head Attorney to Critique Student Research at UM Law School

UNIVERSITY, Miss. – NASA’s top attorney critiques student research in a daylong “class” Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

        General Counsel Paul G. Pastorek hears seven law students present their research, including probes into the legal use of remotely sensed and geospatial data, first amendment implications of remote sensing, legalities of some remote sensing business ventures, and the legal relationship between the Atomic Energy Commission and NASA.

        The student work is under the auspices of the National Remote Sensing and Space Law Center at UM, directed by law professor Joanne Gabrynowicz, who is coordinating Pastorek’s visit.
        “This fabulous professional opportunity to host someone of Mr. Pastorek’s caliber is important for the law school,” Gabrynowicz said. “It enhances our national reputation, and most importantly it is legal education at its best to have this high-ranking legal professional on hand to evaluate students’ work.”

        Pastorek was appointed in February to be principal adviser to NASA administrators. He was a partner in the New Orleans office of the regional law firm Adams and Reese, where he headed the firm’s special business services practice group. He holds undergraduate and law degrees from Loyola University of New Orleans.

        Research presenters are third-year law students Angela Ellis of Paragould, Ark., Todd Ewell of Sherwood, Ark., and Sherlock Grigsby of Enterprise; and second-year students Tracy Bowles of Hattiesburg, David B. Denison of Biloxi, Brent McBride of Marietta, Ga., and Kevin Melchi of Indianapolis, Ind.

        The session runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Ethridge Moot Court Room and is open to the public.

        For more information, contact Gabrynowicz at 662-915-6877 or gabryno@olemiss.edu
(elaine pugh)