Howard Liberman is a partner in the firm's Government and Regulatory Affairs Practice Group and a member of the Group's Telecommunications and Mass Media Team. He is a veteran lawyer who has been involved in communications industry issues for more than 35 years. Howard is rated "AV Preeminent," the highest peer rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, by Martindale Hubbell.
Howard began his legal career with the Federal Communications Commission's Cable Television Bureau. Since his tenure at the FCC, he has been in private practice, representing broadcasters (television and radio, commercial and noncommercial), cable TV operators and private radio licensees. He also assists lenders and investors in the communications and telecommunications industries. His work includes regulatory proceedings, transactions, strategic planning, and litigation, including FCC hearings and appeals of FCC decisions.
Howard's practice also focuses on the day-to-day legal/business issues of broadcasters beyond FCC matters, including contracts, music licensing and other intellectual property issues, employment matters, tower/antenna leases, defamation and First Amendment issues, and general corporate matters.
Howard has been an active member of the Federal Communications Bar Association for many years. He currently is Co-Chair of the Association's Mass Media Committee and previously was Co-Chair of the Transactional Practice Committee and Commendations Committee. In June 2009, Howard received the FCBA's Distinguished Service Award.
He was a member of the Board of Overseers of Emerson College for several years and currently serves on the Advisory Committee for the college's radio station, WERS, Boston. In 2010, he was inducted into WERS's Hall of Fame.
Howard worked in broadcasting throughout his college years. After college, before law school, he was with ABC-TV in New York.