DLA Piper LLP (US) continues to expand its full-service offering for telecoms and broadcast clients, showcasing its ‘deep knowledge and innovative approach‘. The market-leading telecoms team remains at the forefront of key transactions in the sector, advising T-Mobile on its merger with Sprint and handling telecoms assets, fiber and spectrum deals. The firm’s space and satellite group has also seen continual growth, handling agreements for satellite providers and involved in satellite system deployment on a global scale. Michael Senkowski led the recent integration of the firm’s legal, regulatory and engineering offering, heading both the firm’s US and global telecoms teams alongside Nancy Victory. Eric DeSilva handles wireless communications transactions and Tony Lin boasts particular expertise in the space and satellite sector. Michael Hazzard’s international expertise sees him advise global communications, infrastructure and software clients on cross-border transactions, reorganizations and restructurings. From San Francisco, Kristin Jacobson takes a lead role in investigations and enforcement actions, fielding a wealth of public sector experience. Also bringing FCC experience to the team, Peter Shroyer handles FCC approvals for transactions, as well as commercial matters and spectrum acquisitions. From Seattle, Ariel Diamond West advises an extensive clientele that includes global software and communications companies. The team is based in Washington DC, unless stated otherwise. Edward “Smitty” Smith left the firm in December 2023.

Hogan Lovells US LLP boasts ‘broad capabilities’ on both the transactional and regulatory side. The firm advises an impressive roster of key industry players, including Vodafone and T-Mobile and notable new entrants to the sector, on network transactions, tower purchases and sales and MNO arrangements. Ari Fitzgerald leads the Washington DC-based practice, with a diverse clientele of communications network operators, equipment manufacturers, industry trade associations and investors. Mark Brennan heads of the technology and telecoms industry sector team, as well as the firm-wide AI group. Michele Farquhar brings knowledge of spectrum auctions and licensing to the team. With particular expertise in emerging technologies, Katy Milner advises telecoms and tech companies and trade associations, while George John, John Castle and Ryan Thompson are other names to note. The firm also fields a market-leading space and satellite practice, including a satellite finance team, that remains at the forefront of key market developments and transactions in the sector; as well as handling procurements and acquisitions, the team advises on innovative space applications, such as space-based solar power collection and transmission and investment in the ‘new space’ sector. Randy Segal and Alexis Sáinz co-head the space and satellite practice, and Steven Kaufman strengthens the team’s offering, advising satellite clients and representing investors and companies in new space transactions.

Latham & Watkins LLP combines traditional telecoms advice with copyright litigation and  data protection and privacy expertise. The practice’s broad, cross-practice expertise positions it at the forefront of key developments in the industry, representing broadband associations in broadband discrimination matters and active in the appellate arena regarding net neutrality. With the emergence of generative AI and the growing attention on internet privacy, the firm has also increased its emphasis on its internet-focused practice. Across the communications, copyright, and privacy and data security teams, the firm advises a diverse mix of service, infrastructure and equipment providers, cable operators, telecommunications carriers, satellite operators, radio and TV stations, content providers, and providers of data storage, and security solutions, and e-commerce and value-added services. As a prominent figure in communications industry transactions, Matthew A. Brill leads the Washington DC-based connectivity, privacy and information team, advising private equity firms and lenders. James H. Barker fields an impressive clientele of telecoms, broadcast and satellite companies, including cable, direct broadcast satellite and other distributors, and telephone companies and other common carriers. Matthew T. Murchison plays a key role in obtaining deal clearances before the FCC and Team Telecom. Elizabeth R. Park advises communications companies on M&A, private equity investments and financing transactions.

Milbank‘s multi-disciplinary TMT team remains at the forefront of the telecoms finance and the space and satellite industries. As well as expertise in digital infrastructure, the team fields a strong connectivity practice, advising developers and sponsors of telecoms networks, from terrestrial to satellite. Advising an extensive roster of clients across the full lifecycle of projects, the team handles financings, the purchase and sale of telecoms infrastructure and project development, alongside procurement agreements, capacity contracts, spectrum leasing and securitization, and tower leasing arrangements. Dara Panahy heads the firm’s Washington DC-based transportation and space group, with a diverse clientele of satellite and space infrastructure operators, aerospace manufacturers, and communications, earth observation and data companies, as well as service providers and investors in the sector. Practice co-head Patrick Campbell has extensive experience in contract negotiation regarding the construction of undersea and underground fiber optic telecoms systems, the procurement of satellite systems and the leasing of satellite capacity. Bijan Ganji is well-versed in the aerospace and communications industries, as well as bringing in-depth knowledge of national security to the team. From New York, Daniel Bartfeld heads the firm’s global project, energy and infrastructure finance team, while Jaime Ramirez and Roland Estevez focus on connectivity infrastructure.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP‘s corporate team works closely with a growing list of clients in the telecoms and broadcast sector. The practice advises on a full range of corporate transactions, from M&A to financings, as well as tax, strategic IP and ESG matters. It is active in sector-significant transactions, representing Echostar’s board of directors in the corporation’s merger with DISH Network. Based in New York, Robert Townsend III is co-head of the firm’s global M&A team and, beyond his focus on M&A, handles corporate governance matters and is recognized for his activism defense work in the telecoms and broadcast space.

Communications-focused transactions are a key area of expertise for the team at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP. Based in Washington DC, the practice fields an impressive roster of communications companies, investment and commercial banks and financial institutions. With expertise spanning all facets of the industry, the team is experienced in advising data, VoIP and Internet service providers, equipment manufacturers and broadcasters. Chérie Kiser heads the firm’s communications team, having worked with key players in the sector, such as Comcast, Charter Communications and T-Mobile, on M&A, debt issuances and financings and public offerings. Angela Collins is a key member of the team, handling contract and agreement negotiation, litigation and broadband matters.

Drawing on a wealth of cross-practice expertise, the team at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP advises on transactions across the content production and distribution industries and the broadcast, cable and media sectors. Consisting of corporate specialists and seasoned litigators, the group fields experience in M&A, as well as finance and tax matters. Based in New York, Jonathan Levitsky heads the media and telecoms team and is a member of the M&A practice, excelling in public and private M&A and joint ventures in the media, telecoms and technology sectors. Supporting the practice from San Francisco, Michael Diz, global co-chair of M&A, fields an impressive clientele of multinational companies, special committees and private equity firms.

Paul Hastings LLP‘s ‘broad telecommunications expertise‘ covers M&A, leveraged finance and restructuring deals in the telecoms, broadcast and satellite sectors. Based in Washington DC, the group works in tandem with the firm’s restructuring practice to advise on financings and restructurings in the media and telecoms space. In addition to handling both regulatory and transactional aspects, the team also represents trade associations in media ownership and policy matters. Practice head Sherrese Smith brings a ‘unique package of expertise’ across the telecoms, broadcast and satellite sectors, covering areas such as digital technology and e-commerce matters. Promoted to of counsel in 2023, ‘strong up and comer’ John Gasparini straddles both the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity and TMT teams, advising on privacy and data investigations and enforcement proceedings, as well as commercial agreements and foreign investment review.

Tower transactions are a key focus for Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and the telecoms and broadcast transactional practice handles both national and global matters within the communications tower industry. With a clientele including public and private companies, institutional investors and private equity sponsors, the group handles M&A, joint ventures and capital markets transactions across the TMT, cable, broadcasting, satellite and wireless sectors. The team is also involved in various cross-border transactions, advising clients on the acquisition and disposition of international assets and financings. Brian C. Lavin leads the New York-based team, which has shown growth in recent years, with Ravi Purohit joining as practice co-head in September 2023.

Complemented by the firm’s dedicated technology and IP transactions practice, the telecoms and broadcast transactional team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP draws on interdisciplinary expertise to advise clients involved in all aspects of the telecoms industry. The group advises telecoms companies and investors on M&A, spin-offs and restructurings, working closely with the firm’s M&A and private equity, banking and finance and capital markets teams. Michael Aiello heads the firm’s corporate department from New York, offering advice on high-value transactions to broadcasters, media companies and a range of other telecoms clients. Also based in New York, co-head of the US real assets practice Brian Gingold applies his corporate expertise, including experience in M&A, joint ventures, investments and recapitalizations, to the telecoms and broadcast sector.

Wiley Rein LLP provides transactional advice to companies across the sector, from radio, television and digital broadcasters to media industry investors. New media and digital technologies have been recent focal points, and the team fields niche areas of expertise, such as drones and aeronautical issues. Kathleen Kirby and Jennifer Hindin lead the Washington DC-based TMT team. Along with Kirby, Ari Meltzer is praised for his ‘superior subject matter expertise’, particularly in the area of new and developing technologies. With an impressive roster of broadcasters, industry associations and investors, Eve Reed advises on transactions requiring FCC approval. Jessica Rosenthal’s expertise lies in the sale and acquisition of radio and television stations, including the drafting and negotiation of agreements. Jerita Salley and Joan Stewart are also key names to note.

Key clients such as AT&T have cemented Arnold & Porter’s position in the market, regularly acting as lead counsel on significant mergers in the telecoms and media sectors. Public broadcast stations, cybersecurity companies and media groups also make up the practice’s diverse clientele. Based in Washington DC, Maureen Jeffreys leads the telecoms, internet and media team; she is an expert in wired and wireless communications and broadband services and is regularly involved in M&A in the telecoms and media space. Darrel Pae, also based in DC, specializes in privacy and cybersecurity matters.

Fielding extensive experience in acquisitions, lender financings and private equity and infrastructure fund investors, Phillips Lytle LLP‘s diverse clientele includes both national and international lenders and strategic investment funds. Based in Buffalo, the telecoms practice has been active in the deployment of wireless and broadband infrastructure across the US, involved in asset purchases and sales and the drafting of various related agreements. Douglas Dimitroff boasts deep experience and an impressive roster of telecoms clients, including carriers and infrastructure providers. Kimberly Nason co-heads the telecoms industry team, alongside David Bronston, who focuses on telecoms infrastructure, as well as advising telecoms companies on M&A. Bruce Frankiewich advises on the deployment and operation of wireline and wireless networks, as well as fielding particular experience in fiber optic-based telecoms operations and global wireless carriers. Flora Donovan is another name to note.

With particular expertise in the cable industry, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is adept at advising clients on their cable systems and business operations. The firm is active in key sector developments, such as the FCC’s C-band proceeding and the deployment of broadband, as part of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. Brian Weimer leads the telecoms team from Washington DC, focusing on the satellite and wireless sectors, and advising on international telecoms transactions, such as satellite landing rights and M&A. Douglas Svor is an expert in national security matters, particularly regarding the crossover with technology. Jodi Goldberg is a key member of the team.

Boutique firm Telecommunications Law Professionals boasts an experienced team of experts, based in Washington DC, specializing in the telecoms, media and technology sectors. Founding partner Carl Northrop specializes in communications law, with deep experience in the sector. Michael Lazarus is the firm’s managing partner and acts as lead counsel on a diverse range of telecoms transactions, as well as advising on FCC regulatory issues and complaint and compliance matters. Experienced litigator Dennis Corbett acts in both administrative and court litigation, representing wireless, infrastructure and new technology companies. Gregg Skall‘s diverse clientele includes radio and TV companies, as well as state broadcasting associations. With particular experience advising on submarine and terrestrial fiber optic cable system agreements and communications mergers, Jessica Gyllstrom operates on a national and international level. The team continues to grow, with the addition of Emily Daniels from Lawler, Metzger, Keeney & Logan LLP in January 2024.