There are many possible reasons an attorney would want to develop a new practice area. For Lydia Hilton, a lawyer with Berman Fink Van Horn P.C., it was a combination of things. Her traditional practice areas—bankruptcy and real estate—are inherently cyclical, especially in Atlanta. Clients are usually less than thrilled to be involved in a bankruptcy case, she adds.

Drone law, her new practice focus, is filled with enthusiastic entrepreneurs who need help navigating the still-forming laws that apply to unmanned aircraft. She also has plenty of resources at her firm to advise on organizational and operating matters that arise in any business.

Drones increasingly are being used by businesses. Hilton describes drones as data collection devices. If there's a job that's dull, dirty or dangerous, it's likely that a company is looking for ways that a drone can replace or supplement the human component. The photography and film industries were among the first to fully realize the potential of drones. Insurance companies now are using drones to inspect roofs after a storm. Construction companies can use them to fly the same route every day to track progress and confirm when subcontractors complete a project. Farmers use them to scrutinize crops; surveyors use them to prepare for construction. Police departments deploy them in emergencies, for situational awareness, and fly them above highways for efficient accident investigation and reconstruction. They can make the difference between life and death for firefighters.