Ed Frankle

Edward Frankle has more than 30 years experience in technology and space matters, and has worked as an aerospace engineer, a program manager, and as a lawyer supporting every phase of space related projects. For over 13 years, from July 1988 to January 2002, he served as the General Counsel of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington DC, with functional responsibility for all NASA legal matters and over 100 attorneys, nationwide. As NASA’s top lawyer, Mr. Frankle had extensive experience in all aspects of space activities, from formulation to implementation, and from contractual drafting to dispute resolution. His broad experience has allowed him to work comfortably at the highest levels of Government and industry, as well as with foreign partners and organizations. He is now a principal with the law firm, Frankle, Sargeant & Friedman, PC, located in Arlington, Virginia.

Mr. Frankle is particularly well acquainted with the formulation and implementation of national space policy and frequently speaks and writes on space law, space policy, procurement and commercialization matters. He has been elected to membership in the International Institute of Space Law and the International Academy of Astronautics. Prior to being selected to be NASA General Counsel, Mr. Frankle was NASA Deputy General Counsel, Chief Counsel of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Associate Director of the Selective Service System, Associate Chief Trial Attorney of the Navy Office of the General Counsel, an Assistant to the Navy General Counsel, a trial attorney in the Navy Office of General Counsel and an aerospace engineer working at the Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head, Maryland.

Mr. Frankle received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering from the Catholic University of America, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. At Georgetown, Mr. Frankle served as an editor of the Georgetown Law Journal, and was a litigator for the Criminal Justice Clinic. In his Federal career, Mr. Frankle was honored with the Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executive and the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive (twice). He also was twice awarded NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service medal. In addition, he received the NASA Outstanding Leadership medal, the NASA Exceptional Service medal, the NASA Exceptional Achievement medal, and the Selective Service Exceptional Service Award (twice).