Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

District of Columbia, 2001
Maryland, 1999
U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1999

K.C. Halm

Partner

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Washington, D.C.

T202.973.4287

F202.973.4487

K.C. Halm counsels competitive telecom, VoIP and broadband ISPs on a range of broadband policy and competition matters, including interconnection, number portability, intercarrier compensation, licensing and tariff obligations. He also litigates these issues in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies.

Recently, K.C. has advised a number of the firm’s wireless clients on transactional issues involving acquisitions, joint ventures, license transfers and associated regulatory issues arising from such transactions.

K.C. also advises the firm’s client on privacy and data/network security issues under federal and state law, with a recent focus on issues arising under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), the telephone and cable privacy sections of the Telecommunications Act (CPNI), and mobile privacy and location-based services.

On pro bono matters, K.C. represents America’s veterans in disability and related claims before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the Veterans Administration.

Representative clients: Cricket Communications (Leap Wireless), Simple Mobile, JAB Wireless Broadband, Charter Communications, Suddenlink Communications, Bright House Networks, Shentel Cable, XO Communications, and Wave Broadband.

Representative Experience

Federal intercarrier compensation reform for Charter Communications

Advocated for reform of FCC’s intercarrier compensation and interconnection rules on behalf of cable VoIP provider. (2011)

Federal universal service fund investigations for National Cable VoIP Provider

Secured favorable resolution for cable VoIP operator during informal audit of USF contribution and reporting methodologies. (2011)

Suddenlink v. FiberNet

Secured favorable settlement terms for plaintiff in administrative litigation concerning competitive issues arising from waiver of early termination fees. (2011)

West Virginia PSC v. Shentel Cable

Litigating VoIP classification and related issues before West Virginia Public Service Commission. (2011)

XO Communications v. AT&T California

On behalf of XO Communications, litigating collocation and interconnection rate dispute before California Public Utilities Commission. (2011)

Acquisition of cable broadband and VoIP provider for Suddenlink Communications

Secure FCC and state license transfers, and assist with due diligence and regulatory counseling concerning acquisition of cable broadband and VoIP assets. (2010)

Communications merger cases for Charter Communications, LLC

Litigated competition issues to obtain favorable merger conditions in federal and state regulatory proceedings reviewing merger of two incumbent local exchange companies. (2010)

Cricket Communications v. AT&T

Arbitration of interconnection and intercarrier compensation issues with AT&T in multiple jurisdictions (Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana). (2010)

Interconnection agreement negotiations for XO Communications, LLC

Negotiate interconnection and intercarrier compensation issues with AT&T on behalf of competitive provider XO Communications Services, Inc. (2010)

Charter Fiberlink v. CenturyTel

On behalf of Charter Communications, arbitration of interconnection rates and terms in Missouri, Wisconsin, and Texas. (2009)

Charter Fiberlink v. Qwest

On behalf of Charter Communications, arbitration of interconnection rates and terms in Minnesota and Washington. (2009)

Charter Fiberlink v. CenturyTel

On behalf of plaintiff, secured favorable decision and settlement terms in litigation of number porting fees disputes in Missouri and Wisconsin. (2008)

Charter Fiberlink v. Wood County Tel.

On behalf of Charter Communications, arbitration of interconnection rates and terms in Minnesota. (2008)

Defense of class action for national cable service provider

Prevailed before the Maryland Court of Appeals affirming the dismissal of a novel class action claim alleging statewide trespass in relation to client's placement of facilities. (2007)

In re Application of Verizon Virginia, Inc. for Retail Services Deregulation and Detariffing

Represented competitive carrier in opposition to Verizon deregulation request. Case No. PUC-2007-00008 (Va. SCC 2007)

In re Petition of Charter Fiberlink MA-CCO, LLC for Arbitration of an Interconnection Agreement with Verizon

Section 251/252 arbitration of fiber meet point interconnection terms. DTE 06-56 (2006)

In re Petition of Verizon NJ for Arbitration of Interconnection Amendment Concerning Unbundled Network Elements

Multi-party interconnection arbitration proceeding implementing TRO and TRRO UNE amendments. Docket TO 05050418 (2006)

In re Wisconsin PSC Investigation into Transit Traffic

Litigation of transit traffic interconnection issues in multi-party proceeding involving competitive, incumbent and rural LECs. Docket No. 05-TI-1068 (2006)

Qwest v. Universal Telecom

Section 251/252 arbitration of interconnection agreement terms and compensation provisions against Qwest Corp. Case No. ARB 671 (2006)

Southwestern Bell Tel., L.P. v. Missouri Public Service Comm'n

Federal district court appeal of interconnection arbitration decision concerning intercarrier compensation for CLEC. 461 F. Supp. 2d 1055 (E.D. Mo. 2006)

Additional Qualifications

Cole, Raywid & Braverman LLP, Associate, Washington, D.C., 1999-2006
KPMG Peat Marwick, Senior Consultant, 1995-1996
Hooper Hooper Owen & Gould, Legislative Assistant,1991-1995
U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Chairman Lloyd Bentsen (D-Texas), Clerk, 1989-1991

Professional & Community Activities

Federal Communications Bar Association
JJ’s Tournament, Inc. – Nonprofit organization in support of funding for autism research
Lawyers Serving Warriors – Pro bono assistance to veterans

Education

J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 1999, cum laude
- American University Administrative Law Review, Articles Editor
- Recipient, 1999 Award for Outstanding Admin. Law Review Article
- "Bechtel v. FCC: The Beginning of the End of the FCC’s Comparative Hearing Process," 50 Admin. Law Review 491
B.A., Political Science, History, Ithaca College, 1989
- Varsity Football