DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s team, which remains at the forefront of the telecoms sector, is primarily based in Washington DC. From DC, Michael Senkowski and Nancy Victory helm the telecoms group and handle the firm’s highest-profile matters, a key example being their acting for T-Mobile and Verizon in multiple ongoing acquisitions. At the same office, Peter Karanjia is head of the administrative law appellate practice and brings a wealth of regulatory expertise from his time at the FCC, while Eric DeSilva specializes in matters relating to spectrum allocations, spectrum auctions, technical interference claims, wireless transactions and general compliance. Based in San Francisco and Seattle respectively, Kristin Jacobson undertakes communications, regulatory, compliance, policy and transactional matters, while Ariel Diamond West frequently handles transactions requiring FCC approval. Also in DC, Michael Hazzard is noted for his work on infrastructure, transactions and licensing matters, Ian Forbes fields a considerable workload including advising clients on domestic and international regulatory compliance issues, and Peter Shroyer’s FCC background sees that he is well-placed to advise on FCC regulatory compliance cases. Tony Lin left the firm in September 2024.

Based in Washington DC, Hogan Lovells US LLP‘s team harnesses particular expertise in the space and satellite sector. The team assists its reputable clients with complex regulatory matters including spectrum auctions, licensing and allocation issues. Ari Fitzgerald leads the team and provides advice on business-critical regulatory and transactional matters. Michele Farquhar’s FCC background enables her to provide complex regulatory advice; Farquhar advises high-profile international clients on strategic regulatory matters. Mark Brennan handles regulatory consultations, compliance and government investigations and enforcement matters. North Virginia-based Randy Segal is uniquely placed to undertake the full range of matters for space and satellite operators, investors and tech providers. Steven Kaufman undertakes mandates for investors in NewSpace transactions, while Alexis Sáinz is also well-reputed within the satellite industry and specializes in advising on local regulatory requirements, cross-border commercial agreements and international governmental negotiations. Katy Milner has significant capabilities in emerging tech. John Castle and George John are also recommended. All mentioned attorneys bar Segal are based at the DC office.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s team advises clients including broadband service providers, telecoms carriers and providers of network infrastructure on the full range of regulatory matters. Matthew A. Brill leads the team from Washington DC and serves a number of prominent telecoms, broadcast and tech companies on a wide variety of regulatory and litigation matters. James H. Barker boasts over 30 years’ experience advising on the administrative regulation of wireless communications tech, as well as on the drafting of telecoms and satellite laws and regulations. Matthew T. Murchison routinely represents clients before the FCC regarding such complex topics as net neutrality and low-earth orbit satellite broadband networks. Sarang (Sy) Damle specializes in advising clients before the Copyright Office, the Copyright Royalty Board and the DOJ, with particular expertise in the regulations surrounding the digital music streaming industry. Elizabeth R. Park excels in regulatory policy issues and matters related to the FCC and the 'Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the US Telecommunications Services'. Alli Stillman is well-regarded for her work as a copyright litigator and is a key contact for clients in the tech, and media and entertainment sectors especially.

Cooley LLP’s team is based in Washington DC and is well-placed to represent satellite, broadcast and telecoms clients before the FCC. The team is headed up by Robert McDowell who harnesses experience in such FCC work. Travis LeBlanc specializes in crisis management, internal investigations, national security matters and complex litigation, while J.G. Harrington offers advice on the regulations affecting transactions, compliance and bankruptcies, as well as on the development of new products and services. Jason Rademacher routinely represents broadcast, cable, telecoms, tech and new media companies before the FCC and Henry Wendel has a particular focus on transformative transactions and critical advocacy issues. Christy Burrow and Belen Crisp are also standout members of the team. Team changes include the retirement of Michael Basile and the September 2024 arrival of Tony Lin.

Located in Washington DC, the team at Dentons handles a vast array of telecoms matters in both national and international contexts and is noted for its knowledge of ‘complex legislative areas’. The group provides advice on the development of product and service strategies, on obtaining licenses, and on privacy and data security frameworks. Further, it handles the range of complex regulatory matters. Todd Daubert heads up the practice and harnesses significant engineering experience and assists clients with both transactional and regulatory issues. Lauren Wilson is another name to note; Wilson specializes in TCPA matters and has notable FCC experience, she also has experience assisting with infrastructure projects.

Jones Day‘s team represents a range of communications clients in telecoms contexts, from manufacturers to wireless and wireline carriers. The team has a wealth of experience in satellite communications law and has particular expertise carrying out high-profile litigation, notably in mandates involving the FCC and the TCPA. Donald McGahn and Françoise Labrousse co-lead the team from Washington DC and Paris respectively. Bruce Olcott focuses on wireless and wireline services, assisting clients with government investigations into potential regulation violations, and in negotiations with federal agencies regarding national security concerns. Olcott also caters to multi-jurisdictional clients, offering advice on international regulatory and licensing requirements. Brett Shumate is a litigation specialist who handles crisis, enforcement and class action litigation. Jennifer Everett left the firm in May 2024.

Paul Hastings LLP‘s Washington DC-based practice offers advice on the wide range of regulatory matters affecting the telecoms, broadcast and satellite sectors. Its workload ranges from obtaining FCC licences for streaming services, to advising on M&A regulatory requirements. Sherrese Smith has significant FCC expertise and leads the group; Smith’s practice includes advising on media, communications, internet, digital tech, e-commerce and data security issues. John Gasparini is well-versed in the regulatory aspects of satellite, spectrum, wireline broadband, wireless infrastructure and video programming atop his specialism in privacy-related regulatory compliance, data breach response, and in handling investigation and enforcement proceedings.

Akin‘s team provides regulatory advice to clients across the telecoms sector, from satellite to emerging tech companies. The group is based in Washington DC and is led by Jennifer Richter who advises on the full spectrum of regulatory matters, including FCC proceedings, government funding and licensing matters, as well as tower and infrastructure development. Douglas Brandon has a wealth of experience handling communications matters for wireless, broadcast, satellite, telecoms and advanced tech companies. Steve Rowings undertakes various matters including FCC proceedings. Michael Mineiro has a particular focus on the regulatory issues affecting space and satellite companies. Joseph Calascione has regulatory and enforcement expertise. Virgina Hiner Antypas and Sharanya Sriram are also recommended.

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP‘s team offers advice on the variety of transactional and regulatory proceedings. The communications team handles transactional negotiations and regulatory due diligence matters in addition to its representing clients before the FCC. In Washington DC, Tom Cohen leads the team and specializes in FCC policy and strategic advisory work, handling wireless and wireline issues and assisting with communications policy and legislation. DC’s Chip Yorkgitis also oversees FCC policy, as well as compliance, spectrum management and allocation matters. Chicago-based Hank Kelly is well-versed handling litigation. Also in Chicago, Michael Dover advises clients on legal structures relating to existing and emerging tech and general regulatory compliance.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.‘s practice represents clients from across the broadband, cable, media, satellite, tech and wireless industries. Based in Washington DC, the team handles a variety of regulatory issues, from FCC work and litigation to net neutrality and broadband funding matters. Angela Y. Kung heads the group and routinely advises clients on FCC rules and regulations. Tara Corvo is an expert in legislation and regulatory policy, while T. Scott Thompson specializes in wireless and wireline matters. Dan Reing advises communications companies on regulatory and litigation issues and Christen B’anca Glenn is well-versed in regulatory, transactional and compliance matters, with a focus on new and transformative tech.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a wealth of experience representing companies in the wireline, wireless, satellite, broadband, emerging tech, equipment and video industries before the FCC and other regulatory bodies. The team is based in Washington DC and is led by Andrew D. Lipman who offers advice on all areas of communications law. Co-lead Catherine Wang practices before the FCC and handles broadband tech and spectrum policy matters, as well as licensing and M&A matters. Ulises Pin specializes in international communications, telecoms infrastructure, satellite services and emerging tech cases as well as representing clients in FCC proceedings. Russell Blau is a litigation specialist.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP‘s group has particular expertise in enforcement and investigation defense matters, as well as mobile and IoT product development and market entry. The team is led by John Heitmann in Washington DC and Geof Vickers in Nashville. Heitmann has extensive experience advising clients in market entry, subsidy program participation, investigations and corporate transactions, as well as in regulatory and compliance matters. Steven Augustino is an expert in matters relating to the USF, anti-robocall tech and the TCPA. Debra McGuire Mercer covers a wide array of issues, including compliance, transactions, spectrum licensing and the marketing of radiofrequency devices. Joshua Guyan is also a name note. Unless otherwise specified, noted attorneys are based in DC.

The team at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP continues to undertake a broad range of regulatory mandates for clients in the telecoms industry. Based in Washington DC, the team is headed by Scott Flick who advises on transactional, regulatory, financing, strategy and policy matters. DC-based co-head Miles Mason has extensive experience advising clients on the broad spectrum of media and tech issues, from compliance with regulatory requirements to spectrum use agreements and tower and studio leases. Located in Austin and DC, Jessica Nyman represents clients in regulatory matters before the FCC, the Copyright Royalty Board, the DOJ and federal district and appellate courts. Former practice head Glenn Richards left the firm in April 2024.

The team at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is well-versed in regulatory issues affecting space and satellite companies. It also specializes in national security matters and cable infrastructure work. The Washington DC-based group is led by Brian Weimer who is well-known for his work in the satellite industry. Dave Thomas has expertise in regulations affecting broadband networks, such as network operations and security, local franchising, rights-of-way and infrastructure. Douglas Svor works with companies in the tech, telecoms, aerospace, defense and infrastructure sectors. Jodi Goldberg has particular expertise in issues surrounding the satellite, space, wireless and new tech industries.

The team at Steptoe LLP has a wealth of experience handling regulatory matters. The team is based in Washington DC and is led by Pantelis Michalopoulos who undertakes a variety of mandates from net neutrality matters to high-profile mergers. Alfred Mamlet offers strategic guidance on regulatory, transactional and litigation matters, while Christopher Bjornson is an expert in regulatory rulemaking, compliance and licensing matters. Matthew Friedman specializes in video programming copyright matters, as well as in international telecoms regulation. Andrew Golodny excels in leading investigations for telecoms transaction reviews before the DOJ and FCC. Travis West handles antitrust and tech transactional matters.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s Washington DC-based team is co-led by Michael Hurwitz  and Jonathan Friedman. Hurwitz’s work ranges from matters regarding FCC regulatory policy, to internet and programming-related litigation. Friedman also handles FCC proceedings, representing major cable operators, video programmers and equipment manufacturers therein. Melanie Medina advises on net neutrality rules, open internet rulemakings and broadband infrastructure deployment programs. Daniel Alvarez offers advice on data collection and processing activities. David Murray handles complex civil litigation on behalf of media and telecoms companies, while Mia Guizetti Hayes handles such issues as wireless and wireline competition matters.

Telecommunications Law Professionals‘ team is based in Washington DC and handles a wide range of regulatory matters, including FFC policy and rulemaking, compliance and complaint proceedings and contractual issues. Carl Northrop who harnesses 40 years’ experience working in telecoms co-leads alongside Michael Lazarus who acts as lead counsel for key telecoms clients. Dennis Corbett is an administrative and court litigation specialist, while Gregg Skall represents clients before the FCC. Emily Daniels has a special focus on wireline, broadband and wireless matters.