Communications: Illinois

THE FIRM Mayer Brown has longstanding expertise in the communications field and its litigation team has an excellent reputation as a standout group among peers. Lawyers regularly appear before the FCC on behalf of clients in a range of disputes. The team is heavily involved in the representation of major client AT&T in a range of nationwide class actions.

Sources say: "Mayer Brown provides the highest quality of legal services."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Theodore Livingston is universally regarded as "a very fine lawyer," with sources praising his speed and efficiency on complex tasks. He has recently represented AT&T in disputes with competitors over wholesale access. His practice incorporates commercial and regulatory litigation, along with appellate work.

Experienced practitioner Dennis Friedman is praised for his "exceptional skills as a litigator and strategist." Clients value the depth of knowledge he brings in regulatory and commercial matters. Recent highlights include acting for AT&T in a suit against a competitor over access charge avoidance.

Hans Germann is an expert trial and appellate litigator, appearing in both state and federal courts. Fellow practioners comment on his stellar work product and note his experience in the regulatory field. AT&T retained him to pursue its applications to contract wireless communication.

Peers and clients alike are impressed with Christian Binnig's technical acumen. He specializes in communications litigation on behalf of major industry players. He has handled legal and regulatory issues for AT&T. 

Tyson Covey's telecommunications litigation practice goes from strength to strength. He is singled out for praise by peers, who recognize the quality of his work. Clients describe him as "a great writer who is very timely and creative in approaching a problem."

Communications and appellate litigator Demetrios Metropoulos is noted by sources for the dedication and expertise he brings to business-critical issues. He is singled out as an excellent writer and applauded for his skilled crafting of arguments. He recently defended AT&T against putative class actions and is known by clients as a "very thorough and engaged" practitioner.

John Muench is a seasoned telecommunications litigator with notable experience in class actions. Peers remark upon the intelligence and strength of his practice. In the past year he has advised AT&T on the rates paid for access to local carrier networks.

THE FIRM This firm's well-known telecommunications group advises clients on an extensive range of matters. Particular areas of expertise include state and federal regulatory compliance and enforcement proceedings, for which the practice has a strong team of trial and appellate litigators. The team recently represented Lightsquared Networks in electricity access issues.

Sources say: "The breadth of expertise to which I have access is quite complete."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Henry Kelly is praised for his extensive knowledge and experience in the field. Leading industry figures are particularly drawn to his "mastery of the regulatory process." His practice takes in class action defense and telecommunications law enforcement. He recently defended Peerless Network against a patent infringement claim.

THE FIRM This leading communications regulatory practice attracts a premium clientele including Fox Television and News Corporation. The 41-lawyer team is praised by clients for its professional and responsive approach, while peers regard it as a high-level competitor. The firm regularly appears before the FCC and various federal courts on behalf of major clients. The practice's international reach is illustrated by its representation of Grupo Televisa on its investment in Univision. 

Sources say: "The quality of the work is excellent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  David Carpenter has an outstanding reputation as a communications litigator. A seasoned practitioner, he has appeared before the FCC and state and federal courts on numerous occasions. Sources value the depth and breadth of his industry knowledge and describe him as "a force to be reckoned with."

THE FIRM Jenner & Block handles a range of work across the communications sector and is regarded by peers as a significant competitor. The team has expertise across the board in transactional work, regulatory issues and litigation, and is particularly noted for wireless and spectrum work. Lawyers in the group regularly advise clients from the wireless, telecom, media and cable industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Samuel Feder heads the firmwide communications practice.  

THE FIRM This established local shop is known for the high standard of its regulatory practice. The firm has built a strong reputation for telecommunications carrier work from its Champaign office. The practice is focused on independent wireline and wireless carrier, long-distance reseller and local exchange carrier work. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Joseph Murphy is noted by peers for his experience with telecommunications companies, and prowess in the field of independent local carrier and competitive carrier representation. He regularly represents Associated Network Partners.

Experienced practitioner Dennis Muncy is afforded enormous respect for his long and distinguished career in telecommunications law and regulation.

THE FIRM Schiff Hardin is held to be a key player in the telecommunications space. Lawyers at the firm provide expertise in regulatory, transactional and contentious work. The team focuses on representing clients in state and federal courts, before regulatory bodies and negotiating significant agreements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Owen MacBride has built a healthy regulatory practice that wins the respect of competitors. He is known to be an effective representative of his clients and is "always top-notch," according to sources. He represents telecommunications carriers in intercarrier agreements, investigations, rate cases and regulatory proceedings.