We wrote the book on telecommunications law.

Our founding attorney, Thomas Lynch, co-authored and edited The Telecommunications Act Handbook: A Complete Reference for Business, a book describing the principal provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The book became an instant best-seller among individuals and companies involved in telecommunications. Because we have a deep understanding of the telecommunications industry and the laws which regulate it, we are able to help our clients comply with various state, federal, and international telecommunications regulations.

Start-up companies, established and compliant entities and companies with a history of little or no compliance all turn to us for assistance in determining their regulatory status and either maintaining compliance or taking concrete steps to move toward full compliance in an expeditious manner. We assist with identifying applicable state and federal regulations for telecom service providers (both facilities-based and resale), telecom equipment manufacturers, satellite service providers, wireless licensees, CLECs, VOIP providers, information service providers and others. We track the applicable regulatory requirements for our clients, and assist with routine and random reporting obligations to maintain a green-light status with the various regulatory agencies that govern the telecommunications industry.

All of our services are fully confidential. With contacts at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and at state and international regulatory agencies, we can help maintain or transition your company to full compliance with telecom regulatory and tax requirements. Whether your company is seeking to attract investment, leverage its business or simply stay in business by complying with the law, we can help.

In addition to helping telecommunications carriers, we assist large and small venture capitalists, angel investors and telecommunications service providers in acquiring or investing in telecom companies. We often work with other law firms in the due diligence process, in which we cover telecommunications regulatory, tax and licensing issues. By providing a specialized focus and a deep expertise in telecommunications regulation and licensing requirements, we offer our clients and their securities or corporate counsel the precision and timeliness they need to accomplish investment goals. Our expertise allows us to quickly identify areas of a target’s non-compliance, thus permitting our client to quantify the risk associated with the acquisition. We also identify and assist with drafting closing conditions related to telecommunications regulatory requirements and take the lead in completing the applicable requirements to move toward a successful close.

Some of the transactions we’ve assisted with include multi-billion acquisitions by large consortia of venture capitalists and private equity firms. We’ve also provided regulatory guidance and assistance with license transfers for large acquisitions of telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers. Whether your project is large or small, we can help quantify and reduce the regulatory risk.

Many of our clients are using advanced technologies and internet-based transport in their networks. The rapid advancement of voice over internet protocol (VOIP) has lead to confusing regulations and the absence of a clear path to regulatory compliance. We assist our clients with keeping abreast of the regulations, participating in rulemakings and the regulatory process and in complying with the rules as they develop. As the recent AT&T prepaid calling card case demonstrates, companies should not depend on benign regulatory treatment by the FCC and state regulatory bodies that ultimately decide to regulate VOIP. The prudent executive in the VOIP market mitigates risk by seeking regulatory advice and ongoing assistance with monitoring legal developments. We help VOIP providers comply with existing regulations, including E911, CALEA, CPNI, TRS, CLEC licensing and taxation, as well as keep abreast of new developments. Call us today to audit your regulatory compliance to date and inquire about our VoIP Regulatory Compliance Packages.

Our attorneys not only understand the telecommunications industry and the technologies available, we also use advanced telecommunications technologies in our own practice, including IP video and VOIP. These technologies help us create a streamlined legal practice and provide efficient and cost effective legal services.

If you need assistance in complying with telecommunications regulations or with an investment project involving a telecommunications company, contact our law offices in the Washington, DC metro area to speak with an experienced lawyer.

The law offices of Thomas Lynch & Associates provides legal advice to telecommunications businesses throughout the United States, including Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, San Jose and Palo Alto.