DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s telecoms group is trusted by its roster of clients to undertake large-scale, complex transactions which often significantly impact the wider industry. Notably this year, the team advised both T-Mobile and Verizon on their pending acquisitions of UScellular and Frontier Communications respectively. The practice has a global presence within the satellite and telecoms infrastructure sector wherein they execute the broad array of transactions. ‘One of the best strategic minds’ Michael Senkowski and ‘outstanding attorney’ Nancy Victory lead the team and act across its highest-profile matters, both combining their regulatory expertise with their M&A experience. Eric DeSilva specializes in wireless transactions while Michael Hazzard, who represents a number of software-based communications companies, has a particular focus on domestic and global telecoms infrastructure matters. Peter Shroyer brings extensive FCC regulatory experience, advising on commercial mandates, spectrum acquisitions and transactions requiring FCC approval. Seattle is home to Ariel Diamond West who also provides advice on FCC matters and is a key member of the firm’s satellite practice. Aside from Diamond West, all team members mentioned are located in Washington DC.

Hogan Lovells US LLP‘s practice is well-equipped to handle the wide range of transactional matters from joint ventures to M&A transactions, with noteworthy capabilities within the space and satellite industry. Steven Kaufman and Alexis Sáinz co-lead the predominantly Washington DC-based team that office; Kaufman has a wealth of experience in strategic joint ventures and M&A transactions, while Sáinz is adept at handling complex agreements within the space sector, particularly between private space companies and government agencies. At the same office, Ari Fitzgerald‘s workload includes advising prominent communications network operators, equipment manufacturers, industry trade associations and investors on communications and spectrum policy issues in particular. Michele Farquhar brings extensive FCC experience, offering advice on M&A, spectrum auctions and licensing matters. Mark Brennan has tech and telecoms expertise and is a key member of the firm’s AI working group. Both are also based in DC. Randy Segal is the team’s North Virginia-based co-head and has a specialism in the space and satellite sector, offering transactional and regulatory support to industry operators, investors and tech providers.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s broad practice advises internet providers, cable and satellite operators,  radio and television stations and providers of network infrastructure, among others, on the full span of telecoms matters; it has expertise across connectivity, privacy and information in particular. The team offers its roster of clients advice in relation to the variety of transactions, from net neutrality rulemaking considerations to advice regarding the deployment of new networks and tech. Matthew A. Brill chairs the Washington DC-based team and is a key contact for several high-profile clients including private equity firms and lenders. James H. Barker brings extensive knowledge of the regulatory aspects of new and existing wireless communications tech, while Matthew Murchison handles a range of transactional mandates, in particular those requiring approval from the FCC. Elizabeth R. Park is well-regarded for her work on M&A, private equity investments and the negotiation of a range of communications, tech and content agreements.

Milbank‘s team’s workload spans the range of telecoms-related transactions, with a notable specialism in the power sector. Primarily based in New York, the team is well-placed to advise a diverse range of clients across the industry, from developers and operators to institutional investors and infrastructure funds. Acquisitions, investment in new tech and asset-backed securitizations are just a few examples of the mandates frequently handled by the firm. Dan Bartfield heads the global project, energy and infrastructure finance practice and undertakes transactional matters for an impressive roster of financial institutions, investment firms, multinational companies and developers. Jaime Ramirez specializes in acquisition and the development work, particularly in relation to energy and infrastructure projects, particularly digital infrastructure. Roland Estevez advises financial institutions, multinationals and developers on the broad range of transactional matters. Tim Fitzpatrick undertakes matters on project development and limited recourse financings and Sean O’Neill covers domestic and cross-border financings and investment transactions within the industrial sector. In Washington DC, Patrick Campbell handles transactional matters within the digital infrastructure sector and Dara Panahy leads the transportation and space group.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP‘s ‘truly exceptional’ group caters to an impressive roster of clients in the telecoms and broadcasting industry. The team represents clients in the remit of transactions of significant value, from M&A to strategic IP and financing. Its workload also features corporate board advisory matters. Global M&A specialist Robert Townsend III heads up the team in New York and specializes in complex M&A, activist defense and corporate governance matters. At the same office, Matthew Jones and G.J. Ligelis Jr. also have notable expertise in M&A, corporate governance and general corporate matters relating to the telecoms sector.

Based in Washington DC, the team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP combines regulatory, corporate and transactional expertise to handle the range of matters for its telecoms sector client list. Andrew D. Lipman heads the group and is an expert in all areas of communications law, offering advice to banks as well as to private equity and infrastructure funds. At the helm alongside Lipman, Catherine Wang represents clients before the FCC and advises on M&A and financing transactions especially. Ulises Pin’s expertise lies in international communications, telecoms infrastructure, satellite services and emerging tech matters. Russell Blau is a skilled litigator and represents clients from across the telecoms industry before the FCC, state courts and other regulatory commissions.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP‘s team harnesses transactional expertise and regularly advises clients within the content production and distribution industries. As part of the wider global M&A group, the team is adept at handling cybersecurity, environmental and finance matters alongside transactional deals. New York-based ‘star at the firm’ Jonathan Levitsky leads the media and telecoms group and has a principal focus on M&A and joint ventures. Also in New York, Emily Huang provides transactional advice for private equity companies and corporate clients. Michael Diz departed the team in March 2025.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's team is well-placed to advise its clients in matters regarding existing and emerging tech, as well as in tower transactions; it is well-considered by clients for its ‘excellence in its execution of transactional matters’. The team is based in New York and handles a wide range of related transactions, from complex M&A to ABS issuances. Brian C. Lavin and Ravi Purohit co-lead the group. Lavin advises on leveraged buyouts while Purohit’s clients include strategic companies, institutional investors and financial sponsors; the pair offer advice on the range of M&A, disposition and joint venture cases.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles the full spectrum of transactional issues relating to global telecoms including M&A, cross-border transactions, IPOs and debt and equity offerings. The team is based in New York and is headed up by corporate specialist Michael Aiello who has extensive experience advising high-profile clients on complex M&A within the telecoms sector. Brian Gingold and Luke Laumann represent clients in M&A, joint ventures and investments; Gingold works with clients in the industrial, TMT, business services, consumer and healthcare industries while Laumann has expertise in infrastructure-related transactions. Arnie Fridhandler specializes in buyouts, investments, joint ventures and M&A cases, as well as in corporate governance and strategic matters.

Arnold & Porter’s broad practice advises on tech-related M&A, development agreements and tech licenses. San Francisco’s Thomas Magnani has tech transaction and TMT specialisms and a particular focus on AI, and he provides advice on a range of matters from IP transactions to R&D collaborations. In New York, Jenna Levy has extensive experience handling agreements relating to the development and commercialization of new tech, tech, and service procurement and software licenses. Denver-based Pantea Garroussi and Amy Lehrburger in San Francisco are also names to note.

Phillips Lytle LLP group handles acquisitions, lender financings, network operations and private equity and infrastructure investments. David E. Bronston co-leads the team from New York and has capabilities handling work at the intersection of telecoms infrastructure and real estate. Also in New York, Asaf Hahami represents telecoms infrastructure funds in the development and acquisition of tower portfolios. In Buffalo, co-head Kimberly R. Nason specializes in the development, modification and operation of cell towers, while Douglas W. Dimitroff represents telecoms carriers and infrastructure providers, among others. Rochester’s Bruce T. Frankiewich is also recommended.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP routinely handles matters for clients in the space and satellite industries with a particular focus on cable infrastructure. The Washington DC-based team is led by Brian Weimer who specializes in advising space and satellite clients on M&A, financing and commercial issues. Douglas Svor represents wireless, satellite and other tech companies before the FCC, providing advice on matters at the intersection of tech and national security. Jodi Goldberg undertakes regulatory, licensing, allocation and transactional matters.

The Washington DC-based team at Telecommunications Law Professionals is experienced handling M&A, inter-carrier and other contracts, as well as FCC work and federal and state broadband infrastructure projects. Carl W. Northrop co-heads the team alongside Michael Lazarus who specializes in transactional, regulatory, complaint and compliance issues and FCC matters. Dennis Corbett represents a broad range of clients; Gregg Skall undertakes FCC licensing matters, purchase and sale transactions among others; and Emily Daniels has a particular focus on wireline, broadband and wireless matters.