Zachary S. Dougherty

Attorney

Zach Dougherty Headshot

Biography

Zachary S. Dougherty represents corporate clients in a broad range of transactional matters including employee ownership structures, corporate and non-profit formation/governance, construction contracting, UCC commercial transactions and real estate work. Zach also specializes in the myriad legal issues surrounding uncrewed aerial systems (UAS, or drones), helping clients navigate the sometimes unpredictable legal and regulatory requirements for drone operations. His work in this area includes best practices, risk assessments, insurance requirements, and civil liability (trespass, invasion of privacy, etc.). He currently serves on the board of directors for Mountain West UAS, a 501(c)(3) devoted to drone education and safety and has made numerous public speaking engagements on a range of drone law issues.

Zach’s professional philosophy is two-fold: 1) trust is at the core of meaningful client relationships; and 2) attorneys should be more than defensive “shields.” Providing clients with a clear understanding of the law enables them to find new pathways to innovation.

Representative Experiences
  • Drafted assignments, security agreements and other documents in connection with to entity formations, governance and restructuring, specifically including employee ownership strategies and structures.
  • Co-founded and served as legal counsel for residential development company; drafted and negotiated construction and real estate contracts and handled internal corporate governance.
  • Advised public charity on development of an outdoor drone education/training facility and spearheaded grant application resulting in a $50,000 matching grant to fund drone-based education.
  • Counseled quasi-public economic development entity on issues related to regulatory compliance and on origination, servicing and enforcement of small business loans.
  • Drafted and reviewed third-party contracts for drone service providers.
  • Substantive involvement with numerous commercial lawsuits involving a broad range of issues, including contractual breaches, property rights, financial disputes, employment agreements and construction defects.
  • Mountain West UAS (MWUAS), President
  • Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Member
  • Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Member
  • “Exploring the promise of medical drone technology in America,” featured in Yahoo Finance and Leasing Life, May 15, 2024
  • Important Drone Laws You Should Know,” featured interview, Farm Progress, May 14, 2024
  • Driving You Crazy Episode 333: Deliveries by Drones is Coming Faster Than You Think,” Podcast Guest, Driving You Crazy, May 15, 2024
  • “Basics of Drone Law,” virtual presentation for FAA Continuing Education via Mountain West UAS Colorado, May 4, 2024
  • Law-Tech Connect Workshop at AUVSI XPonential 2024, Moderator, April 22, 2024
  • Drones part of the future of medical care in U.S.?” featured guest, NBC Bay Area, April 1, 2024
  • Crawing, Walking, Running Out of Time…,“author, Coruzant Technologies, February 1, 2024
  • UAS Roundup Conference, hosted by Mountain West UAS Colorado, host and moderator, September 2023
  • Law-Tech Connect Workshop at AUVSI XPonential 2023, moderator, May 8, 2023
  • UAS Roundup Conference, hosted by Mountain West UAS Colorado, host and moderator, September 12, 2022
  • Law-Tech Connect Workshop at AUVSI XPonential 2022, moderator, April 12, 2022
  • UAS Roundup Conference, moderator, October 18, 2022
  • UAS Virtual Fall Roundup, April 21, 2021
  • Drone Law Basics workshop for Central Colorado UAS, March 6, 2021

Areas of Expertise

Education

Notre Dame Law School
(Juris Doctorate, 2008)

University of Colorado
(B.A. Economics, English, 2004)

Bar Admissions

Colorado

Court Admissions

Supreme Court of Colorado

United States District Court, District of Colorado

US Bankruptcy Court

Representative Experiences
  • Drafted assignments, security agreements and other documents in connection with to entity formations, governance and restructuring, specifically including employee ownership strategies and structures.
  • Co-founded and served as legal counsel for residential development company; drafted and negotiated construction and real estate contracts and handled internal corporate governance.
  • Advised public charity on development of an outdoor drone education/training facility and spearheaded grant application resulting in a $50,000 matching grant to fund drone-based education.
  • Counseled quasi-public economic development entity on issues related to regulatory compliance and on origination, servicing and enforcement of small business loans.
  • Drafted and reviewed third-party contracts for drone service providers.
  • Substantive involvement with numerous commercial lawsuits involving a broad range of issues, including contractual breaches, property rights, financial disputes, employment agreements and construction defects.
  • Mountain West UAS (MWUAS), President
  • Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Member
  • Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Member
  • “Exploring the promise of medical drone technology in America,” featured in Yahoo Finance and Leasing Life, May 15, 2024
  • Important Drone Laws You Should Know,” featured interview, Farm Progress, May 14, 2024
  • Driving You Crazy Episode 333: Deliveries by Drones is Coming Faster Than You Think,” Podcast Guest, Driving You Crazy, May 15, 2024
  • “Basics of Drone Law,” virtual presentation for FAA Continuing Education via Mountain West UAS Colorado, May 4, 2024
  • Law-Tech Connect Workshop at AUVSI XPonential 2024, Moderator, April 22, 2024
  • Drones part of the future of medical care in U.S.?” featured guest, NBC Bay Area, April 1, 2024
  • Crawing, Walking, Running Out of Time…,“author, Coruzant Technologies, February 1, 2024
  • UAS Roundup Conference, hosted by Mountain West UAS Colorado, host and moderator, September 2023
  • Law-Tech Connect Workshop at AUVSI XPonential 2023, moderator, May 8, 2023
  • UAS Roundup Conference, hosted by Mountain West UAS Colorado, host and moderator, September 12, 2022
  • Law-Tech Connect Workshop at AUVSI XPonential 2022, moderator, April 12, 2022
  • UAS Roundup Conference, moderator, October 18, 2022
  • UAS Virtual Fall Roundup, April 21, 2021
  • Drone Law Basics workshop for Central Colorado UAS, March 6, 2021

Working together

How can we help you?

From initial consultation to developing a personalized strategy to meet your goals, our full-service team is here with you every step of the way.