"Matthew has deep experience in the telecom space. He is a supremely talented and very practical lawyer who knows how to provide tailored advice."
Chambers USA 2023
"Matthew Brill offers thoughtful and sensitive advice that balances business practicalities with sound legal and regulatory expertise."
Chambers USA 2023
Hall of Fame – Media, Technology and Telecoms: Telecoms and Broadcast: Regulatory
The Legal 500 US 2023
“Matt is one of the premier internet policy and law attorneys and is a leader in the industry.”
Chambers USA 2022
"A high-level expert in his field and we have found his advice to be invaluable."
Chambers USA 2021
"Good combination of government expertise and sharp litigation skills."
Chambers USA 2020
Profile
Matthew Brill, Global Chair of the Connectivity, Privacy & Information Practice and a member of the Supreme Court and Appellate Practice, is a nationally recognized communications lawyer and former FCC senior official. He represents clients in litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters.
Mr. Brill advises service providers, investors, lenders, and other clients on traditional telecommunications, media, and emerging technology issues. He regularly represents:
Leading cable operators
Local exchange carriers
Wireless carriers
Internet service providers
Technology companies
Online platforms
Mr. Brill represents clients in proceedings before:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Trial and appellate courts
State public utility commissions and attorneys general
Mr. Brill served as the Senior Legal Advisor and Chief of Staff to Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy at the FCC. His work at the FCC included developing national policies governing:
Broadband Internet access
Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services
Local telephone competition
Universal service subsidies
Intercarrier compensation arrangements
Spectrum allocation
He served as a law clerk to Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Mr. Brill is an active member of the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) and has chaired the FCBA’s Common Carrier Practice Committee.
Experience
Mr. Brill’s experience includes representing:
Litigation
The television industry in a federal court challenge to the constitutionality of a state law requiring sale of all cable channels and programs on an à la carte basis
The cable industry association in FCC and appellate proceedings regarding net neutrality rules and in related preemption challenges to state net neutrality laws
Various parties in Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation in appellate and trial courts (including several prominent victories defeating class certification and favorably construing key statutory provisions)
The cable industry in D.C. Circuit appeal of FCC rules governing findings of effective competition in the video marketplace
Cable operators in successfully defeating several federal class actions alleging tying of premium cable services and cable set-top boxes
A leading cable operator in state attorney general investigations regarding allegedly deceptive broadband speed advertising and in related class action litigation
The cable industry in First Amendment challenges in federal courts of appeals to program carriage rules and analog broadcast carriage requirements
A large coalition of local exchange carriers in federal court litigation and FCC proceedings arising from disputes over intercarrier compensation rules applicable to wireless traffic
Telecommunications industry clients and others on defamation issues
Transactional
BAI Communications in its acquisition of Mobilitie, the largest privately held infrastructure company in the United States
Searchlight Capital Partners on its take-private of Hemisphere Media Group by portfolio entity Gato Investments
Searchlight Capital Partners in its acquisition of All Points Broadband, a provider of fiber-to-the-home and fixed wireless services
T-Mobile independent directors in connection with the merger with Sprint and spin-off of Boost Mobile
LogMeIn in its sale to Francisco Partners and Elliot Funds, and also in its prior purchase of providers of VoIP and collaboration services
Time Warner Cable in obtaining regulatory approval for its merger with Charter Communications, and in prior proposed merger with Comcast Corp.
Time Warner Cable in its various acquisitions of cable systems and telecommunications assets, and sale of wireless spectrum
T-Mobile independent directors in connection with the merger with Sprint
Private equity purchasers of Cequel Communications
Private equity purchasers of Hargray Communications
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Inc. in purchase of regional fiber networks
Regulatory
The cable industry association in FCC and appellate proceedings regarding net neutrality rules and in related preemption challenges to state net neutrality laws
Comcast in FCC proceedings regarding broadband data services and in related appeal
Charter and other telecommunications carriers in appeals of Universal Service Administrative Company rulings regarding compliance with E-rate program rules
A broad coalition of local exchange carriers seeking a declaratory ruling regarding the application of intercarrier compensation rules to wireless traffic transmitted by interexchange carriers
A leading cable operator in a congressional investigation of customer service issues
Wholesale telecommunications carriers serving retail VoIP providers in securing key FCC rulings regarding interconnection rights
A broad industry coalition seeking reform of FCC retransmission consent rules
Connectivity, Privacy and Information Practice partners recognized for multiple high-profile telecom matters, including getting Maine’s a la carte cable law invalidated and steering an ongoing challenge to California’s net neutrality law.
Multidisciplinary team represents the global private investment firm in investment to bring high-speed Internet access to unserved and underserved communities.
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