With ‘incredible depth and broad experience in the telecoms space’, DLA Piper LLP (US) recently announced the establishment of a global regulatory practice for telecoms and tech. Primarily based in Washington DC, the telecoms team includes a number of regulatory experts with federal government experience. The firm boasts a space exploration and innovation group; the team continues to increase its focus on space and satellite mandates, advising on new innovations in the sector, as well as radio spectrum allocations for space and earth stations. Nancy Victory and Michael Senkowski co-head both the US telecom group and the firm’s global telecoms practice, recently acting as lead regulatory counsels for T-Mobile in its sector-significant merger with Sprint. Peter Karanjia leads the administrative law appellate team, bolstering the practice’s full-service offering. Eric DeSilva offers both regulatory and transactional advice on wireless matters, while Tony Lin advises start-ups, satellite companies and defense contractors on spectrum and other regulatory approvals. San Francisco-based Kristin Jacobson handles communications regulatory, compliance, policy and transactional matters for clients, including telecoms and broadband service providers. Peter Shroyer brings FCC experience, including in enforcement proceedings and advocacy filings, while, in Seattle, Ariel Diamond West advises clients such as global software and communications companies on FCC and CPUC matters. Edward “Smitty” Smith left the firm in December 2023.

Hogan Lovells US LLP‘s ‘deep bench of very experienced attorneys‘ counts key market players, sovereigns, ECAs and private equity and venture capital funds among its clientele, offering both regulatory and transactional advice across the telecoms, broadcast and satellite sectors. The firm fields an established policy practice, advising on FCC matters and proceedings and providing federal and state advocacy on various issues, such as 5G spectrum, universal service and network resiliency. With deep experience in communications, internet and media law, Ari Fitzgerald leads the Washington DC-based team. Practice co-head Mark Brennan leads the technology and telecoms industry sector group and is the driving force behind the firm’s AI initiative. With extensive public-sector experience, Michele Farquhar advises on regulatory strategy and policy initiatives. Randy Segal and Alexis Sáinz co-lead the space and satellite practice, expanding the team’s satellite finance capabilities and focusing on satellite, wireless, drone and technology transactions. Also an expert in space and satellite matters, Steven Kaufman advises on new space technologies and represents investors and companies in NewSpace transactions. Katy Milner excels in the representation of clients before the FCC, Congress, and federal agencies. George John, John Castle and Ryan Thompson are active members of the team.

Working in tandem with the firm’s communications, copyright and privacy, and data security groups, Latham & Watkins LLP’s connectivity, privacy and information team advises an impressive range of telecoms, broadcast and satellite clients. The practice remains at the cutting edge of sector development, advising clients on matters such as net neutrality and broadband discrimination, as well as the deployment of wireless networks and next-generation connected car matters. Along with representing telecoms providers in litigation, the team advises broadband internet service and content providers, cable and satellite operators, radio and television stations and digital streaming services. Matthew A. Brill heads the Washington DC-based team and is a leading figure in the sector, working with investors and lenders and advising on emerging technologies in the industry. The experienced James H. Barker fields extensive knowledge of the regulation of wireless communications technologies, cable, direct broadcast satellite and other carriers. Matthew T. Murchison regularly handles proceedings before the FCC, including robocall mitigation and satellite matters. With a clientele that spans the cable, radio and internet media sectors, Sarang (Sy) Damle specializes in copyright matters, alongside New York-based copyright litigator Allison Levine Stillman. Elizabeth R. Park is experienced in proceedings before the FCC and the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the US Telecommunications Services Sector.

With extensive knowledge of FCC proceedings, Cooley LLP’s communications team offers advice across the spectrum of FCC-regulated areas. Handling a full range of regulatory procedures before the FCC, the practice is composed of experts on both the business and regulatory aspects of media procurement and distribution, and video and music technologies. The team also advises space and satellite clients on communications regulatory aspects. Michael Basile and Robert McDowell co-lead the firm’s global communications practice; McDowell represents clients before the FCC, Congress and other regulatory bodies, while transactions specialist Basile advises TV and radio broadcast companies on M&A, financings and commercial transactions. JG Harrington specializes in telecoms matters and new technologies and Travis LeBlanc’s expertise spans telecoms, cybersecurity and data privacy. With great experience in the sector, Jason Rademacher advises broadcast, cable, technology, new media and telecoms clients on FCC and federal courts proceedings. Henry Wendel is also active in FCC matters, experienced advising media and broadcast clients on enforcement matters and regulatory issues. All individuals mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Drawing on Dentons’ international reach, the firm’s Washington DC-based communications and technology team advises on matters both in the US and on a global scale. The practice’s in-depth knowledge of technology matters sees it advise on the development of product and service strategies, as well as privacy and data security frameworks. The team fields extensive experience in obtaining licenses, certifications and tariff approvals and assists clients with compliance matters and the development of compliance programs. The group regularly advises on marketing strategies, as well as writing customer terms and privacy notices. Operating at local, state and federal levels, the practice represents clients in disputes and contentious matters before various regulatory authorities. With a background in engineering, practice head Todd Daubert offers both regulatory and transactional advice on telecoms and technology issues. Lauren Wilson is an active member of the team, bringing FCC experience and extensive knowledge of TCPA matters.

Jones Day has a strong background in regulatory litigation, with a dedicated government regulation team that advises communications clients on FCC proceedings and class action litigation before federal courts. From Washington DC, the team represents wireless and wireline carriers, communications users and providers, utilities, manufacturers and developers of new technologies and services, and advises telecoms service providers on the full range of regulatory matters. From spectrum allocations and licenses to satellite and broadband regulation and network access, the group’s expertise spans approvals, dispute resolution, data protection and privacy and compliance across the sector. Donald McGahn and Francoise S. Labrousse co-lead the government regulation team. Bruce Olcott brings knowledge of international regulatory and licensing matters to the team, bolstering its international reach, as well as representing clients before US federal agencies and handling national security issues. Brett Shumate is active in crisis litigation, enforcement and class action litigation under the Communications and Telecommunications Acts and the TCPA. Focusing on cybersecurity and data privacy, with knowledge of international data protection laws, Jennifer Everett advises clients on compliance, data transfers and cyber-governance.

Paul Hastings LLP advises clients across the telecoms, broadcast and satellite sectors on FCC proceedings, from traditional license maintenance to the expansion into streaming services. The practice works in tandem with the firm’s restructuring group to advise on the media, telecoms and regulatory aspects of financing and restructuring matters. Bringing expertise on both the regulatory and transactional side of matters, Sherrese Smith leads the Washington DC-based team. Smith boasts private sector and government experience and advises on media, communications, internet, digital technology and e-commerce issues, as well as privacy, security and data security matters. Promoted to of counsel in 2023, John Gasparini is part of both the privacy and cybersecurity and the TMT teams and brings extensive knowledge of privacy regulatory compliance, data breach response and regulatory investigations and proceedings. He provides TMT clients with regulatory advice on satellite, spectrum, wireline broadband, wireless infrastructure and video programming matters.

At Arnold & Porter, public broadcast stations make up a significant part of the telecoms, internet and media team’s clientele. The practice represents its clients before the FCC and offers advice on federal regulations and policies. Recent areas of focus for the group include wireless-related mandates and broadband deployment matters. The team is active in mergers within the telecoms and media sector and is experienced in regulatory approval processes at local, state, federal and even international levels. Maureen Jeffreys leads the team from Washington DC,  an expert in state and federal regulations within the telecoms and broadcast sector, regularly advising on transactions and M&A, and recently leading the team in its advice to AT&T on WarnerMedia’s merger with Discovery. Darrel Pae, also based in DC, specializes in privacy and cybersecurity matters.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP fields extensive expertise in communications technology and has been actively involved in the implementation of NextGen TV. The Washington DC-based team advises a diverse client base, which includes NASBA, the umbrella organization of all 50 state broadcasters’ associations. IP expert Glenn Richards heads the firm’s telecoms practice and is actively involved in VoIP and IP communications services proceedings. Head of the media team, Scott Flick‘s diverse clientele includes investors in the communications industry, networks, media groups and telecoms providers, in addition to clients beyond the sector affected by FCC regulations. Offering both regulatory and transactional advice, Lee Petro counts broadcasters, telephone companies, and wireless service providers, as well as consumer electronics companies and product manufacturers and distributors, among his clients. From Austin and DC, Jessica Nyman fields an established contentious practice and represents clients in regulatory litigation before state and federal courts, as well as the FCC and other agencies.

With a strong background in the cable industry, the telecoms team at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP advises a range of cable providers and industry groups, with a particular focus on infrastructure mandates. The firm fields a growing space and satellite practice, taking on a number of new clients from the sector in the past year, and representing satellite operators in FCC proceedings. Focusing on the satellite and wireless sectors, Brian Weimer leads the Washington DC-based team. Paul Werner has an established contentious practice, representing communications providers in litigation and arbitration at state, federal, appellate and international levels. Dave Thomas has built up a diverse clientele that ranges from telecoms providers to broadcasters, advising on wireless and broadband networks, satellite communications, licensing and permitting, and spectrum use, while Douglas Svor brings extensive experience before the FCC and a ‘deep regulatory background’, advising operators and investors in the wireless, satellite and technology sectors. Imad Matini, Abraham Shanedling and Hannah Wigger are other key names to note.

The communications and media team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises key players in the sector, such as Comcast Corporation and the NCTA. With experience before various federal and state regulatory authorities, the group provides compliance advice, represents clients in rulemaking and investigatory proceedings and advises on challenges to regulators. The team’s expertise encompasses Open Internet, set-top boxes, business data services, intercarrier compensation reform and broadband deployment. Michael Hurwitz and Jonathan Friedman lead the team in Washington DC, both bringing extensive experience advising on regulatory compliance matters before the FCC and other agencies. Melanie Medina has a broad wireless spectrum practice that spans spectrum auctions, licenses, secondary-market transactions and representation in rulemakings and other proceedings. David Murray focuses on litigation and arbitration matters within the media and communications industry. Mia Hayes represents clients in FCC rulemakings and enforcement proceedings, while Michael Jones advises on investment in media and telecoms companies, including foreign investment.

With an experienced bench of former FCC officials and experts with experience at wireless, broadband and satellite companies, the team at Akin is well-placed to advise on federal and state agency regulations and legislative bodies within the sector. Practice head Jennifer Richter provides regulatory and policy advice, as well as advising technology and communications companies and investors on the full range of agreements, including spectrum acquisitions and leases. Douglas Brandon represents technology companies before the FCC, the Department of Justice and Congress. In addition to a diverse roster of TMT companies, Steve Rowings advises private equity and hedge fund investors in the sector. The team continues to bolster its offering in the space sector, with the addition of Michael Mineiro, who brings expert knowledge of outer space and satellite matters. Joseph Calascione brings FCC experience to the team, and Virginia Hiner and Nicole McFarland are other names to note. All attorneys mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Telecommunications Law Professionals fields particular expertise in broadband infrastructure projects. The boutique’s impressive roster of clients spans the TMT sector, from telecoms carriers, radio and station group owners to industry associations, tower companies and satellite companies. The practice boasts significant FCC experience, including policy and rulemaking work, licensing and auction expertise, and advises on market entry, counting start-ups, entrepreneurs and venture capital companies among its clientele. Communications specialist Carl W. Northrop leads the Washington DC-based team alongside Michael Lazarus, who advises a diverse range of telecoms clients on regulatory, complaint and compliance matters. In line with market developments, Dennis Corbett has expanded his practice to include wireless, infrastructure and new technology companies. Gregg Skall fields extensive experience before the FCC and Congress, along with Jessica Gyllstrom, who also boasts particular expertise advising wireless carries on spectrum matters, from acquisition to compliance, licensing and policy advice.