Henry M. Rivera

More than 50 years of experience representing clients in all types of business transactions, including telecommunications transactions and telecommunications-related bankruptcies. Significant experience with all Washington advocacy venues of significance to communications policy-making. Experienced in all types of FCC rulemaking proceedings. Counseled clients on routine observance of FCC rules, including development of strategic plans and advice on implications for their businesses of pending federal communications-related legislation and FCC regulations. Advised international clients on regulatory and political issues regarding regulation and privatization, including counseling foreign postal, telegraph, and telephone services (PTTs) on the organization and operation of regulatory agencies necessitated by privatization of their telecommunications providers. Served as an expert witness in communications law-related cases in federal and state courts, and in state administrative proceedings, and in an arbitration. Served as a senior advisor to several U.S. international telecommunications delegations and to the U.S. Department of State. Served as a member of the INTELSAT Panel of Legal Experts. Represented and counseled a major local exchange carrier in connection with obtaining a local cable television franchise and in drafting a franchise agreement for an internet protocol television (IPTV) system. Represented and counseled a major local exchange carrier and its affiliated cable television companies and wireless carrier in all federal and state regulatory matters. Represented a major airline in an FCC proceeding involving Over-the-Air-Reception-Devices. Represented major wireless companies in spectrum lease and license transfer transactions. Served as trustee of several trusts created to facilitate mergers and acquisitions of broadcast properties. Significant experience representing telecommunications service providers and their customers in all aspects of the E-Rate program, particularly appeals from adverse Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions.