LITIGATION SERVICES:
MAXIMUM ASSISTANCE WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION

When your company is involved in a litigation matter, you need first-class litigators who know the telecom industry and can represent you in a way that minimizes the litigation’s impact on your business.

At Davis Wright Tremaine LLP (DWT), our telecommunications lawyers have extensive experience–and have enjoyed considerable success–litigating matters for a wide array of clients. With more than two decades of telecom work to our credit, we understand the industry and its technology. Our teams of attorneys, highly trained staff and IT technical support use honed techniques to manage discovery consistently with a minimum amount of disruption to your business.

Experience with Telecommunications Act litigation

Since passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act), DWT has been involved in nearly 50 interconnection arbitrations on behalf of competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and wireless carriers throughout the country. We also have litigated numerous federal district court and federal appeals court cases under Section 252(e)(6) of the Act.

These appellate cases include:

• The first appellate decision addressing arbitrations under the Act
  
  
• A case upholding the right of CLECs to be paid reciprocal compensation in ISP traffic
  
  
• A case upholding a wireless carrier’s right to be paid the tandem rate—a result that has saved wireless carriers around the country millions of dollars
  
  
• A case overturning a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order permitting an ILEC to charge a wireless carrier for facilities used for traffic originated by other carriers

In addition, we have represented clients in federal court cases under other provisions of the Act. These include cases under sections 253 and 332(c) challenging state or local actions as barriers to entry, and a case in which DWT successfully challenged an attempt by a state public utility commission to collect revenues for universal service in part from interstate revenues.

Experience with commercial litigation

Like other businesses, telecom companies can be drawn into commercial disputes. The commercial litigation we have handled for telecom clients includes arbitrations and lawsuits in which we represented cellular carriers in disputes with the indirect sales channel. We also represent telecom clients in many other types of commercial litigation, such as disputes with vendors.

Industry-specific expertise

To effectively represent a telecom companyin litigation, even in a purely commercial dispute, lawyers need to understand the industry. DWT attorneys have the depth of knowledge and experience. We don’t need to spend our time—and our clients’ money—educating ourselves about telecommunications technology and issues.

A cost-effective approach to discovery

Telecommunications litigation often involves wide-reaching, multi-state discovery: a process that, if not handled properly, can seriously disrupt a company’s operations. Building on our experience with large, complex litigation matters, DWT has developed a method for handling discovery that has repeatedly proven to save our clients time and money.

Credentials that fulfill your needs

Many of DWT’s lawyers have practiced with the Federal Communications Commission or held senior-level positions with telecom companies. Consequently, our attorneys have first-hand experience in the industry from a variety of perspectives.

Availability for regional or nationwide counsel

DWT has represented both CLECs and wireless carriers on a nationwide and a regional basis, including assisting with the development and implementation of a multi-state interconnection strategy. DWT attorneys have represented telecom clients in most jurisdictions throughout the United States . We have offices with telecom lawyers based in California , Washington and Oregon , as well as in Washington , D.C. Using a sophisticated document system, these attorneys work together as a highly integrated team to serve clients over a broad geographical area.

Our advantage

As a large, full-service firm, DWT offers telecom clients litigation expertise in the full range of issues that arise in this highly competitive and quickly evolving industry. We also have the personnel and infrastructure to staff the largest, most complex matters. When you need a litigator for any telecom issue, consider the depth and breadth at Davis Wright Tremaine.