Faculty Profile: James Mackler

James E. Mackler advises clients across the country and in a variety of industries on the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). He has been quoted by politico, the National Defense Journal, the Nashville Scene, and numerous other media outlets on UAS issues.  He also has over 15 years of experience in federal criminal defense, regulatory compliance and civil litigation.  James joined Frost Brown Todd in August, 2015 to continue to build a UAS focused practice.

James served eight years of active duty service in the U.S. Army, returning to private practice in 2011.  After spending seven years developing a successful private legal practice in Colorado, James was inspired by the events of September 11, 2001 to join the military. He spent three years as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, including a one-year deployment to Iraq. After returning from Iraq, James transferred to the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, where he served as a legal adviser to high-level commanders and as a supervising criminal prosecutor.  As a former Senior Trial Counsel for the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Mackler led a team of 12 prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving financial fraud, kidnapping, rape and murder. James has tried approximately 40 highly contested court martials and countless administrative hearings. James earned his Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, Air Medal and an Army Achievement Medal during his time in the Army. He also (barely) survived the Army's rigorous Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) training. Today, he continues to serve as a legal advisor to the Tennessee Air National Guard.