Mitchell F. Brecher

Mitchell F. Brecher

Rick's practice focuses on telecommunications and media law and regulation. He has practiced extensively before the Federal Communications Commission, other federal departments and agencies, state regulatory commissions, and trial and appellate courts. Rick has also provided legislative counsel on telecommunications matters. He represents clients in telecommunications transactional matters and provides business counseling and contract assistance to telecommunications and media clients.

Areas of Concentration

· The Telecommunications Act of 1996

· The World Trade Organization agreement on basic telecommunications services

· Access to multitenant environments

· Administrative and regulatory practice

· Alternative dispute resolution

· Broadcast licensing and regulation, including digital television

· Broadband policy

· Cable television regulation, including program access, must carry and retransmission consent

· Commercial transactions involving telecommunications and media companies

· Customer Proprietary Network Information, pretexting and other privacy issues

· Domestic and international laws, regulations and policies

· E911 compliance

· FCC enforcement and investigations

· Interexchange services

· Internet services

· IP-enabled services, including Voice over the Internet Protocol services

· Intercarrier litigation

· Judicial and administrative litigation

· Licensing of telecommunications carriers

· Local franchising

· Local telecommunications service competition

· Multichannel Video Program Distribution

· Regulatory forbearance

· Rulemaking and inquiry proceedings

· Rural telecommunications investment, build out and regulation

· Satellite licensing, operations and transactions

· Spectrum allocation and licensing

· State regulatory practice

· Tariffs and rates

· Telecommunications taxation and regulatory fee issues

· Telecommunications service agreements

· Telemarketing, Do-not-call, and "Junk Fax" laws and regulations

· Universal service and intercarrier compensation

· Utility certification

· Wireless telecommunications

Significant Representations

· Represented a major competitive local exchange carrier before Federal, State and local authorities, in its acquisition of the assets of another carrier pursuant to a bankruptcy court sale order.

· Represented PCS carrier before FCC in assignment and transfer of licenses.

· Represented major US satellite operator from its inception, including obtainment of licenses and orbital locations, as well as other regulatory and contractual matters.

· Counsel of record for the Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS) in the Supreme Court appeal of the FCC's Local Competition Proceeding (AT&T Corporation et al v. Iowa Utilities Board).

· Counsel for companies in FCC proceeding approving International Callback Services.

· Represented clients in proceedings at federal and state levels involving implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This has included such matters as local competition and interconnection, universal service, access pricing, rate integration, reciprocal compensation, and regulatory reform.

· Regularly counsels and represents clients on contract and business matters and has represented clients in negotiations with Bell Operating Companies, satellite companies and other telecommunications vendors.

· Represents commercial and residential property developers in negotiating telecommunications, video and Internet service agreements.

Professional & Community Involvement

· Member, Federal Communications Bar Association

· Co-Chairman, Common Carrier Practice Committee of the Federal Communications Bar Association

· Co-Chairman, State and Local Practice Committee of the Federal Communications Bar Association

· Chairman, Ratemaking Committee of the ABA's Section of Administrative Law and Agency Practice

· Member, Maryland State Bar Association

· Member, District of Columbia Bar

Previous Employment

· Assistant General Counsel and Director of Regulatory Affairs, Allnet Communication Services, Inc.

· Senior Attorney, GTE Sprint Communications Corporation

· Attorney-Advisor, Federal Communications Commission

Articles, Publications, & Lectures

Articles

· Has published numerous articles in telecommunications trade publications including Phone+ Magazine, Public Communications, Communications Week

· Has spoken at numerous seminars and conferences throughout the world

Documents by this lawyer on Martindale.com