Lerman Senter PLLC

Manager: Sally A. Buckman

Number of partners: 12

Number of lawyers: 23

Firm Overview:  

With nearly four decades of experience and numerous attorneys recognized as leading experts in communications law, as well as a nationally-recognized privacy and data security practice, the firm has the know-how to address clients’ needs efficiently and effectively. As one of Washington, DC’s leading communications law firms, it is well positioned to tell your story to key decision makers and to advocate zealously on your behalf. The multiple practice areas cover all aspects of communications law, which gives the firm an unmatched ability to handle complex and intersecting legal requirements cost-effectively. The team strives to solve problems creatively, using innovative solutions when existing methods won’t do, and always with a personal touch. In addition, because of the specialized focus on companies in the communications industries it has a keen understanding of the intricate business and operational issues clients face and are able to assist them with all aspects of complicated transactions and operational agreements. These qualities are why Lerman Senter stands out as one of the most recognized and well-regarded law firms in the field.

Main Areas of Practice:  

Broadcast & Media: 8 Members; 17 fee earners  

■ Representation of ViacomCBS Inc. in obtaining FCC consent to the transfer of control of 29 CBS television stations and associated earth station and microwave licenses.

■ Representation of News Corporation, one of a group of media company intervenors, in a Petition for Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court in support of a decision of the Federal Communications Commission relaxing and eliminating certain multiple ownership rules applicable to broadcasters. The Court unanimously decided that the FCC’s determinations were reasonable and reversed the ruling of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals which had vacated the FCC’s decision.

■ Representation of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. in the frequency relocation of 100 television broadcast stations.

■ Representation of Cumulus Media Inc. in regulatory aspects of pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, including obtaining an FCC ruling permitting 100% foreign ownership.

■ Representation of Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. in regulatory aspects of $310 million recapitalization and related FCC foreign ownership issues.

■ Representation of SJL in sale of ABC-affiliated television stations in Hawaii to Allen Media Broadcasting.

■ Representation of Cumulus Media Inc. in regulatory aspects of various credit facilities aggregating over $600 million.

■ Representation of American General Media and Equity Communications in sales of communications towers to Insite Wireless Group and Vertical Bridge.

Key Clients: Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.; Audacy, Inc.; Cumulus Media Inc.; ViacomCBS Inc.; Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.; Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.; Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.; Massillon Cable TV, Inc.

Contact: Sally A. Buckman

Tel: 202-416- 6762 Email: [email protected]

Broadband, Spectrum, Utilities & Communications Infrastructure: 8 Members; 12 fee earners

■ Representation of private equity funds in structuring and drafting agreements to obtain control of fixed wireless and fiber-based broadband service providers.

■ Representation of a leading group of debtholders in Windstream Holdings to facilitate emergence from bankruptcy.

■ Representation of Wireless Internet Service Providers Association in obtaining access to 850 megahertz of unlicensed spectrum that will create significant value for association’s members.

■ Representation of Pacific Networks Corp. and ComNet (USA) LLC in an FCC proceeding to revoke authorizations because the companies are partially and indirectly owned by an investment company owned by the Chinese government.

■ Representation of Wisper ISP, Inc. on strategic investments in and conversion of company, which provided significant financial resources for future operations.

■ Representation of multiple investor-owned electric utility companies in regulatory proceedings on wireline and wireless infrastructure deployment and pole attachment matters.

■ Representation of multiple investor-owned electric utility companies in the structuring, negotiation, and implementation of fiber and wireless network deployment projects.

Key Clients: Wireless Internet Service Providers Association; Rise Broadband; Nextlink Internet; Southern Company; Xcel Energy Inc; Dominion Energy.

Contact: Stephen E. Coran

Tel: 202-416- 6744 Email: [email protected]

Satellite: 2 Members; 3 fee earners 

■ Representation of Global Eagle Entertainment in the licensing and development of one of the early Earth station networks employing terminals operating on aircraft in the Ku-band FixedSatellite Service.

■ Representation of synthetic aperture radar provider R2 Space, LLC d/b/a Orbital Effects, one of the first companies authorized under the FCC’s “Smallsat” rules for non-geostationary satellite networks.

■ Representation of Ligado Networks regarding management of the company’s U.S. and Canadian L-band satellites.

■ Representation of multiple clients in the FCC’s process implementing the relocation of existing C-band Earth station facilities to a smaller portion of the 4 GHz spectrum band.

■ Representation of Kinéis, the next generation satellite network extending the reach of the ARGOS remote sensing system to Internet of Things monitoring applications serving the maritime, agriculture, transportation, science, humanitarian and recreation sectors.

Key Clients: Encompass Digital Media; Global Eagle Entertainment; Kinéis; Ligado Networks; R2 Space, LLC.

Contact: David S. Keir

Tel: 202-416- 6742 Email: [email protected]

Privacy, Data Security & E-Commerce: 2 Member; 5 fee earners

■ Representation of state-funded non-profit to develop guidance for compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and Telemarketing Sales Rule, including creation of a 50-state survey of telemarketing regulations and registration requirements.

■ Representation of large media client in responding to an inquiry from a state consumer protection agency regarding consumer complaints alleging Do-Not-Call registry and state telemarketing law violations.

■ Representation of various clients regarding compliance with state privacy, data security, consumer-protection, and net neutrality transparency laws, and industry obligations such as PCI-DSS.

■ Representation of mid-sized internet service provider regarding the FBI’s investigation of alleged state-sponsored unauthorized access to the company’s network.

Contact: S. Jenell Trigg

Tel: 202-416- 1090 Email: [email protected]

Intellectual Property: 2 Member; 5 fee earners  

■ Representation of various broadcast companies before federal and state agencies regarding trademark registration, clearance and protection; advise and counsel media companies regarding copyright and related intellectual property matters and disputes.

■ Representation of Connecticut Public Television in copyright clearance and related intellectual property matters.

Contact: Louis Levy

Tel: 202-416- 6748 Email: [email protected]