Rated by clients for its ‘unparalleled know-how of the law and the industry', DLA Piper LLP (US) has been involved in some of the biggest deals in the wireless, satellite, broadcasting and broadband industries. Headed up by former chief of staff of the FCC Michael Senkowski and Nancy Victory, the team acts for a variety of major telecoms providers, satellite carriers, investors and communications-related associations. Of particular note, Senkowski and Victory jointly advised T-Mobile on a range of issues relating to its historic merger with Sprint. Other key contacts include wireless specialist Eric DeSilva and Edward Smith, who is a former FCC official and spectrum policy specialist. Associate Peter Shroyer is a promising name at junior level.  All named lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Hogan Lovells US LLP has continued its activity at the very top of the market, having recently acted for T-Mobile in its landmark merger with Sprint. In addition to major telecoms operators, the team is also sought out by investment houses as well as new market entrants such as Facebook. Space and satellite operations are another area of strength, largely owing to the experience of Washington DC-based Steven Kaufman and Randy Segal. Kaufman and Segal lead the team alongside former chief of the FCC's wireless telecommunications bureau Michele Farquhar. Trey Hanbury helped lead advice on the T-Mobile/Sprint deal and, alongside traditional communications, is also skilled in advising on robotics, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Other key figures include Ari Fitzgerald, Alexander Johnson, and senior associate Arpan Sura.

Latham & Watkins LLP is an established name for corporate, commercial and financing transactions in the areas of telecoms, broadcasting and satellites. Among its many recent highlights, the practice group took a lead role in the historic merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. Practice co-chair Matthew Brill has a notably broad skill set with expertise in advising service providers, investors and lenders on transactions in the satellite and broadcasting sectors. Fellow practice head James Barker is a key name in the market for spectrum auctions. Matthew Murchison is another important name and is highly skilled in obtaining regulatory approvals in the broadband, wireless, video and satellite industries. Counsel Elizabeth Park is noted for her expertise in telecoms-related M&A and private equity investments.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP's New York team is a leading name for M&A, bank financing and capital markets transactions, and that expertise extends to the areas of telecoms and broadcasting. Practice head Robert Townsend is an expert in telecoms-related M&A, and counts Cincinnati Bell and Univision as key clients. On the broadcasting side, Faiza Saeed and George Schoen are both highly experienced in high-value M&A. Also recommended are Tatiana Lapushchik, a name to note for bank financing work, and William Fogg, who co-heads the firm's financing practice and focuses on capital markets transactions. Johnny Skumpija moved to Sidley Austin LLP in March 2021.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has expertise in both the telecoms and broadcasting sectors, with a varied client roster including traditional communications and media companies, new market entrants and financial investors. Michael Diz is a key name and has recently handled deals for broadband, mobile and video conferencing providers. Diz jointly leads the team alongside Jonathan Levitsky, an expert in TV broadcasting deals, and Michael Gillespie, who has been particularly active in the areas of electric and driverless vehicles. Clients in this sector also benefit from the wider M&A expertise of lawyers including Paul Bird, William Regner and Jeffrey Rosen. All named lawyers are based in the New York office.

Milbank has noted strengths in telecoms and satellite financings, as well as in satellite and space sector transactions. Washington DC-based Dara Panahy jointly leads the practice and focuses on satellite related financing and service agreements with expertise cross-border matters involving Europe and Asia.  Other key individuals include Peter Nesgos, who advises satellite operators and financiers on space and satellite projects; and Patrick Campbell, a specialist in procurement and joint ventures. Senior associate Bijan Ganji and associate Alexis Sáinz are standout names on the more junior end.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has been especially active in M&A on behalf of private equity house and telecoms companies, but has also handled a number of transactions relating to infrastructure developments. The team is jointly chaired by Andrew Lipman and Catherine Wang, both of whom has extensive experience in obtaining regulatory approval at national, regional and international levels. Lipman has led on a number of high-profile transactions, most recently assisting the US private equity firm Digital Colony Partners and Swedish infrastructure investment fund EQT AB with its £14.3bn purchase of Zayo Group Holdings Inc. Highlights for Wang have included advising FirstLight Fiber on its major expansion into the northeastern US, which involved the acquisition of five separate independent companies. Ulises Pin, who is highly skilled in the acquisition of submarine sea cables, is also recommended.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a diverse skill set covering the broadcast, satellite and telecoms sectors, with particular strengths in transactions surrounding major telecoms towers. The client base includes cable TV companies, private equity investors, as well as data centre corporations. Bruce Gutenplan leads the practice and is a well-known name in the market for tower transactions. He also has expertise in M&A and corporate finance in the telecoms and broadcast sectors.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a strong track record in mergers and takeovers, equity investment and bankruptcies, acting for a range of telecoms, broadband and broadcasting companies. Michael Aiello chairs the corporate department and advises and has an active public companies practice with a number of clients active in these sectors. Fellow practice head Frederick Green is an expert in corporate and securities transactions, with a particular focus on telecoms infrastructure. Michael Lubowitz, is another key name and recognized here for his transactional work in the wireless and wireline spaces. All lawyers are based in New York. Former practice head Howard Chatzinoff has retired.

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP has been the port of call for Cable One and Global Tel Link Corporate for all of their corporate transactions, which often cover assets and operations in multiple states. Regular work flows include M&A and capital markets transactions. Practice lead Cherie Kiser is highly skilled in transactional matters, and has assisted both traditional telecoms companies as well financial institutions entering the market. Counsel Angela Collins is also very experienced in transactional work, including commercial contracts and inter-connector agreements. Both lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Cooley LLP operates under the leadership of Michael Basile and former FCC commissioner Robert McDowell, and as such is a popular choice for transactions that require FFC approval. Basile's recent workload has included advising private equity house Apollo Capital Management on its acquisition of 31 TV stations and 59 radio stations, while McDowell has been assisting Microsoft with extending its wireless broadband connectivity. Other noteworthy individuals in the team include Travis LeBlanc, who has deep experience in internal investigations, and JG Harrington, a name to note for financings and bankruptcy work.

Loeb & Loeb LLP has a very strong reputation in the broadcasting space, with expertise in M&A, financing and commercial agreements. Los Angeles-based  Scott Edel works at the helm and advises on both traditional media as well as OTT services and digital media. In New York, Marc Chamlin is highly focused on the TV industry, where he advises clients on investments, joint ventures and licensing issues. Also in New York is Carol Kaplan, a name to note for broadcast and cable transactions.

Arnold & Porter has handled the lion’s share of AT&T’s transactions, with practice head Maureen Jeffreys being a go-to adviser for the telecoms giant since 2001. In addition to telecoms operators, the firm also acts for a range of broadcasting and media companies, and financiers. The group has expertise on regulatory issues surrounding spectrum policy, new technology and First Amendment issues. Other notable members of the team include Peter Schildkraut, an expert in M&A and restructuring, and Scott Feira, who focuses on FCC merger reviews.

Dentons is experienced in handling transactions involving telecoms companies, ISPs, software developers and broadcasters. Todd Daubert leads the practice and is noted for his track record in obtaining FCC approval for transactions. He is supported in the DC office by managing associate Lauren Wilson, an expert in privacy and data security. Elsewhere, New York-based Victor Boyajian specializes in venture capital transactions in this space, and Michael Cochrane in Atlanta is a name to note for M&A and private equity work.

Based in New York, Proskauer Rose LLP is experienced in handling transactions involving both traditional and digital broadcasting platforms, with particular strengths in the sports broadcasting space. Robert Freeman is a key contact in this regard, and is noted for his experience of media rights, content distribution deals and M&A. He works alongside M&A expert Lauren Boglivi, who recently advised Discovery on its acquisition of Golf Channel Latin America. Also recommended is TMT specialist Jeffrey Neuburger, who recently assisted iHeartMedia with its acquisition of podcasting network Voxnest.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP commands a steady stream of telecoms and satellite-related transactions, with experience in matters ranging from smaller regional transactions through to large-scale international deals. Practice head Brian Weimer is best known for his work in the satellite industry, where he regularly handles corporate and commercial deals, as well as financing transactions. Weimer recently advised the global satellite operator OneWeb on bankruptcy matters arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.