Adams and Reese LLP

With years of experience representing communications companies, Adams and Reese has participated in the ongoing evolution of the regulation of traditional land line telecommunications providers, in part due to emerging competition by largely unregulated wireless and cable service providers. Our understanding of the multifaceted communications industry and the various governing bodies at the state and federal levels equips us to help our clients navigate annual legislative and regulatory changes as well as competitive opportunities.

The Internet has created unique business opportunities both for established companies expanding into new channels of commerce and for emerging companies implementing online business models.  But with these opportunities comes an entirely different legal terrain. The rapid-fire fashion of high-tech business necessitates responsiveness, pro-action, and vigilance.

Adams and Reese has a multidisciplinary team of professionals that handles the wide range of issues presented by technology-intensive matters and companies. As more companies do business online, we are there to escort them into the new marketplace and help overcome the many challenges that await them. For the tech-savvy companies, we are their e-business partner, addressing their Internet-related legal issues.

Our Attorneys

Adams and Reese team members are located in our offices in Washington, DC, as well as our offices in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. 

Core Practice and Clients

Regulatory Counsel: Legislative advocacy at the state and federal level.  Matters related to wireless tower and equipment location, customer service, regulatory process, labor and employment, licensure, local and state tax matters specific to communications companies, and other operational matters. We also represent clients before various regulatory bodies in licensing and local government approval cases, customer disputes, regulatory investigations, and inter-carrier disputes and arbitrations.

Transactions: drafting of contracts and negotiation for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, zoning and permitting as well as IP protections. Negotiation of interconnection agreements (ICAs), traffic exchange agreements, right-of-way (ROW) agreements, and franchise agreements.

Litigation and ADR: Defense of clients in , tort and  labor and employment cases,  in contractual and regulatory disputes. Appeals of local government wireless tower siting decisions. Representation in state and local tax cases involving the taxation of communications companies. We also have extensive experience in IP enforcement. 

Representative Matters:

• Protection, exploitation and litigation of intellectual property rights
   
• Trademark, copyright, patent and trade secrets litigation
   
• Domain name disputes, including ICANN and ACPA
   
• Security, information privacy, and disclosure issues
   
• Government regulation
   
• Technology licensing and strategic alliances
   
• Counsel for venture capital firms on investing in high-tech companies
   
• Negotiation of strategic alliances, joint venture, and co-branding relationships
   
• Business method and Internet-related patent preparation and prosecution
   
• Monitoring web site exposure and drafting terms of use
   
• Counseling regarding privacy issues and drafting related documents and policies

The telecommunications attorneys at Adams and Reese can assist with business planning and the important decisions that help your firm avoid unnecessary battles or regulatory mistakes. When the situation calls for more assertive representation, we will also see it through to completion while minding your time and resources.