Wiley Rein’s Telecom Practice and Richard E. Wiley Receive Top Honors from Chambers USA for 11 Years in a Row

May 31, 2013

Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business ranks Wiley Rein’s Telecommunications Practice in its top tier of Washington, DC firms, recognition the practice has received every year since the directory’s inception in 2003. Once again, Chairman Richard E. Wiley, practice chair R. Michael Senkowski and partners Andrew G. McBride, Helgi C. Walker and Nancy J. Victory have secured rankings as “Leading Lawyers.” In the directory’s 2013 edition, no other firm received more individual rankings in the area of Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite Regulatory law.

Chambers reports that Wiley Rein is a “market leader” that “fields a deep bench of experts with a cumulative wealth of communications experience. Its talents in the field attract a range of major international and domestic clients.” The firm “led a multinational committee of leading industry names” that participated in treaty negotiations for the World Conference on International Telecommunications. “Demonstrating its renowned capabilities in the FCC regulatory sphere,” Wiley Rein also represented the wireless industry in connection with the development of new legislation authorizing the agency to conduct spectrum incentive auctions. Sources tell Chambers the team has “excellent substantive knowledge” and is “a strong communications practice which employs some of the finest lawyers in the country.”

Lauded as “peerless,” Mr. Wiley, chair of the firm’s Communications Practice and former FCC Chairman, represents “a range of market luminaries” and is “widely respected for his contributions to the field of DC communications law.” One market source describes him as “a great leader in our space.” For 11 years in a row, Mr. Wiley has been rated a Chambers “Star,” a ranking bestowed on “lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field.”

Mr. Senkowski, who leads a Telecommunications team of more than 40 attorneys and engineers, is praised by clients as “excellent—a really good lawyer.” The directory says his notable work includes assisting a major satellite company on the replacement of its global mobile satellite system.

Mr. McBride, chair of the Communications Litigation Practice, is hailed by sources as an “excellent attorney” with valuable litigation expertise and a deep knowledge of Appellate law. He successfully fought to enjoin an unconstitutional San Francisco cell phone labeling ordinance under the First Amendment. Chambers notes that Mr. McBride represents a major wireless carrier on numerous matters, including a set of nationwide class actions.

Ms. Walker, who chairs the Communications Appellate Group, is described by Chambers as a “star talent” and a “brilliant appellate advocate” who “demonstrates admirable commercial awareness in handling complex matters.” The publication notes her work challenging the FCC’s net neutrality rules.

Ms. Victory, who chairs the firm’s Wireless Group, is described by sources as a “very experienced lawyer” and is highly respected for her knowledge of the telecommunications industry, according to Chambers. The publication notes that she represented a major wireless carrier in its acquisition of a swath of spectrum valued at $3.9 billion.

The Chambers ratings are based on extensive interviews of law firms’ clients, colleagues and competitors. Inclusion in the directory is determined through a rigorous vetting process.