Industries

Telecommunications and Wireless

Why Cooley

We leverage 90+ years of communications industry experience with our commitment to innovation to counsel 270+ emerging and established telecommunications and wireless companies on the legal, business and regulatory aspects of communications technology. We routinely handle transactional, regulatory, litigation and IP matters for companies ranging from wireline telecommunications and broadband service providers, voice over IP providers and wireless carriers to resellers and technology and equipment manufacturers serving the industry. We also represent investment banks, venture funds and other financing sources for telecommunication entities.

Corporate

We have a long history of representing companies at all stages of the corporate growth cycle, from company formation through liquidity events. Our lawyers work with communications companies, service providers, investment firms and commercial banks in connection with mergers, acquisitions, private and public equity and debt financing transactions. We also regularly counsel clients on communications contract negotiations, equipment leasing, technology outsourcing and tax-efficient transactional structures.

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial agreements
  • Company formation
  • Financings
  • Fund formation
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Public financings and private placements
  • Real estate, land use/zoning and leasing
  • Sale and purchase of assets
  • Strategic partnerships and joint ventures
  • Tax

Litigation

Our team of seasoned trial lawyers has extensive experience defending telecommunications clients in forums ranging from state commissions and courts to the US Supreme Court. We represent carriers and companies in class action litigation, commercial disputes, fee and access disputes and privacy matters. With decades of experience in internet‐based systems and protocols – including analysis of internet operating system source code and networking protocols – our team provides detailed analysis of communications devices that utilize various networking and routing protocols such as wireless phones, computers and multi‐function devices.

Areas of Practice

  • Antitrust litigation
  • Class action defense
  • Contract and license disputes
  • Employment litigation
  • Privacy litigation
  • Restructuring, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights
  • Securities litigation
  • Tax controversy
  • White collar defense

Regulatory

From participating in framing the legislation that provided the FCC with spectrum auction authority to representing many of the first cellular providers in the US to counseling on E911 obligations and voice over IP regulations, Cooley has been out in front of the most pressing issues affecting our telecommunications and wireless clients. Our lawyers monitor and advise clients on the policy decisions and regulations that affect the growth and success of their businesses, including auction policy, wireless number portability, early termination fees, wireless interconnection, intercarrier compensation, roaming and equipment authorization. We counsel telecommunications clients on key issues related to competition, including interconnection, universal service, telephone number portability, privacy and entry into rural markets. We also assist clients in the startup phase of their businesses, including obtaining spectrum in an auction, acquiring and managing network infrastructure, purchasing and leasing tower sites, developing strategies for compliance with license requirements and FCC operational rules, preparing customer agreements and negotiating intercarrier agreements.

Areas of Practice

  • Antitrust counseling
  • Corporate governance
  • Employment and benefits
  • Export control and international trade regulations
  • FCC Regulatory
  • Government contracts
  • Privacy and data protection counseling and data breach response

Intellectual Property

As one of the top firms in the country for intellectual property law, we provide sophisticated representation to a range of players, from trailblazing startups to some of the largest tech companies in the world. As a fully integrated, full-service practice, we provide prosecution and counseling services that allow our clients to gain the most value from their IP and represent our clients in complex infringement suits in which core products and brands, and upwards of billions of dollars, are at stake.

Areas of Practice

  • IP diligence pertaining to deals, financing and transactions
  • IP litigation (patent, copyright, trademark, false advertising, licensing, trade secret and domain name)
  • Patent and trademark prosecution and strategic counseling
  • Portfolio management and monetization
  • Post-grant, opposition and UDRP proceedings
  • Technology transactions and licensing