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Desktop Image: Braverman, Burt
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Burt Braverman

Partner

T 202.973.4210 Washington, D.C.
I help clients strategically resolve disputes, minimize regulatory burdens, and capitalize on business opportunities–and litigate when we must.
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Burt Braverman is a seasoned litigator, deal lawyer, and regulatory counsel whose years of practice have invested him with multidisciplinary experience cutting across numerous industries and practice areas that include technology, communications and media, antitrust, international trade, and commercial and regulatory litigation.

As the leader of the firm’s International Trade, Investment and National Security team, Burt advises clients on compliance with U.S. trade sanctions, export controls, and national security laws—including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations—addressing the export of U.S. commodities and technology, licensing and sale of U.S. technology to foreign customers, joint ventures and development efforts with foreign partners, and the extraterritorial reach of U.S. export control and trade sanctions laws.

His practice further includes representing companies in enforcement matters brought by U.S. trade agencies such as the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security, the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control, Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency, and Customs and Border Protection. Burt represents clients before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Team Telecom, obtaining clearance of foreign investments in, and acquisitions of, U.S. companies and infrastructure, and negotiating mitigation agreements where required. He also guides clients on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (FCPA) and related anti-corruption laws, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Practice Highlights

Litigation

Burt represents clients in commercial and administrative litigation, including, antitrust, trade secret, whistleblower, IP, FACTA, franchising, FOIA, non-competition, theft of concept, and breach of contract cases. He has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, and in federal and state courts and administrative agencies nationwide; arbitrated and mediated cases; and served as an arbitrator. He also represents clients in antitrust matters, including agency clearance of mergers and acquisitions and responding to FTC and DOJ subpoenas and investigations. Burt has been recognized by Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers, Smart CEO Legal Elite, and Top Lawyer.

International Trade

Burt also is an experienced international trade lawyer, representing clients before the departments of Treasury, State, and Commerce on matters arising under U.S. trade sanctions, export control, and antiboycott laws, including compliance strategies, defense of government enforcement actions, and structuring contracts to address international trade concerns. He also represents clients before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and "Team Telecom" on review of foreign investment in—or acquisition of—U.S. companies, and advises clients on compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Communications, Media & Telecom

Burt is recognized as one of the preeminent communications lawyers in the United States, representing clients in the cable television, content, broadcast, and internet sectors. He represents domestic and international communications, telecom, and media clients in contract negotiations—including M & A, content licensing and distribution, and production agreements; sponsorship and endorsement deals; undersea cable agreements and satellite transponder contracts—as well as in litigation. Burt has been recognized by Who's Who – Communications, Data and Telecom, Dealmakers to Know, Chambers and Partners, and was inducted into the Cable Television Pioneers.

International Trade

Export Controls/Trade Sanctions

Defense of companies in agency investigations and charges concerning alleged violations of U.S. export control and trade sanctions laws; licensing proceedings; supply chain counseling.

CFIUS

Clearance of foreign acquisitions of, or investments in, U.S. companies, and negotiation of mitigation agreements.

Team Telecom

Clearance of foreign investment transactions involving U.S. telecommunications companies.

Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency

Representation of companies before DCSA regarding investment transactions, facility security clearances, technical security agreements.

Customs and Border Protection

Representation of companies in withhold release and seizure proceedings.
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Access to Public Records/Trade Secrets

Anderson v. Health and Human Services

Represented Dow Corning Corp. in multiple cases to enjoin government release under Freedom of Information Act of trade secrets relating to silicone breast implants and injectable silicone.

Chrysler Corp. v. Brown, Secretary of Defense

Represented Chrysler Corp. in seminal U.S. Supreme Court case that established right of companies to enjoin federal agencies from disclosing businesses' trade secrets pursuant to Freedom of Information Act.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. U.S. Dep't. of Homeland Security

Represented National Security Archive as amicus curiae, on pro bono basis, in support of lawsuit brought under FOIA to compel Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service to publicly disclose records reflecting the identities of persons who visited the President and Vice President.

Gulf Oil Corp. v. Brock, Secretary of Energy

Obtained injunction against federal agency's threatened disclosure pursuant to Freedom of Information Act of Gulf Oil's trade secrets and confidential business information.

Tax Analysts v. Department of Justice

Represented West Publishing Corp. in open records/trade secret litigation that upheld Department of Justice's denial of request for public disclosure under Freedom of Information Act of West's trade secret Juris database.
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Trade Secrets

Boeing Computer Services v. National Computer Services et al.

Represented employee accused of stealing trade secrets, resulting in favorable settlement relieving employee of all liability.

Dicom Industries, Inc. v. Sperry Univac for Sperry Univac (Unisys)

Co-counsel in successful defense of Sperry Univac (Unisys) in trade secret case alleging misappropriation of plaintiff's software.
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Litigation/Communications

Outdoor Life Network and Speedvision Network v. Echo Star Communications

Represented cable television networks in lawsuit arising from DBS distributor's breach of networks' distribution contract, resulting in favorable settlement.

Branch Banking Company v. PanAmSat and Seaton Broadcasting

Represented cable television network in contract litigation with satellite operator regarding unauthorized satellite transponder migration, obtaining favorable settlement.
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Antitrust

Antitrust counsel

Advised numerous companies regarding structuring and operation of joint buying, distribution, development and standard setting activities, interlocking directorates, and other issues concerning compliance with U.S. antitrust laws.

Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger clearances

Obtained numerous Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger clearances from the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission for acquisitions or mergers involving cable television companies, Internet access businesses, movie rental companies, and others.

T.V. Signal Company of Aberdeen v. AT&T et al.

Represented cable television operator in successful antitrust litigation, obtaining judgment establishing Sherman Act liability against AT&T and its subsidiary Northwestern Bell based on essential facilities and bathtub conspiracy claims.
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Cable

Bestview Cable v. City of Abbeville, S.C.

Obtained injunction for cable television operator enjoining rival company from operating competing cable system and ordering dismantling of system.

James Cable Partners v. City of Jamestown, TN

Obtained federal and state court injunctions for cable television operator, enjoining municipality from operating competing cable system, and subsequent contempt order and attorneys' fee award against city for violation of prior injunction.
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Communications Regulatory

FCC rulemaking proceedings

Regularly represents coalitions of cable television program networks in rulemaking proceedings before the FCC in opposing efforts to impose regulations that would undermine program networks’ economic model and significantly restrict their distribution.
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Constitutional Law

DirecTV, Inc. v. Treesh, Commissioner of the Revenue

Represented Kentucky Cable & Telecommunications Association, as amicus curiae, in federal district court and court of appeals, in support of successful defense of constitutional challenge (under Commerce Clause) by DBS operators to Kentucky sales and excise tax equalization legislation.

C-Span v. FCC

Represented consortium of cable television networks, as amici curiae, in support of constitutional challenge to FCC leased access regulations.
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Credit Recovery & Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy and tax code issues

Represented the liquidating trustee of a major telecommunications company in potential litigation and ensuing negotiations involving complex bankruptcy and tax code issues that led to favorable confidential settlement.

In re Pappas Telecasting, Inc.

Represented the Trustee in Bankruptcy as special communications counsel in the bankruptcy of Pappas Telecasting Companies, handling all regulatory representation of 25 television stations, assignment of stations' licenses, and other communications issues relating to the wind-up of the bankruptcy estate.
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Defamation

Oz Technology v. Maryland Public Television et al.

Obtained dismissal of false light/defamation case against Speedvision Network.

The Local Church et al. v. Harvest House Publishers

Represented cable television network operator and publisher, Inspiration Networks, as amicus curiae, in support of publisher's successful First Amendment defense of defamation action brought against publisher for including discussion of plaintiff religious organization in book on religious cults.
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Employment & Labor

Cramer v. Housing Opportunities Commission

Obtained recovery for plaintiff in trial of negligence in hiring claim, establishing new law in State of Maryland.

Wrongful termination claim

Represented Sperry Univac (Unisys) in successful defense of wrongful termination litigation.
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Government Contracts

In the matter of Adelphia Communications Corp.

Represented Adelphia Communications Corp. in defense of a nationwide federal contract debarment action brought by U.S. Department of the Air Force and the U.S. General Services Administration, obtaining complete rescission of the debarment.

Watson Cable v. Department of Air Force

Obtained substantial settlement for cable television operator, Watson Cable, from U.S. Department of Air Force in Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals litigation arising from agency's breach of cable television operator's exclusive franchise.
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International

Centennial Florida Switch Company v. Global Caribbean Network

Co-counsel in litigation arising from defendant contractor's alleged negligent installation of undersea cable for plaintiff telephone carrier, resulting in favorable confidential settlement.

Eiland v. University of Leicester

Represented British university in litigation concerning its distance learning program, obtaining judgment dismissing all claims.
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Theft of Ideas

The Auto Channel v. Speedvision Network et al.

Obtained dismissal of all theft of concept and antitrust claims against defendant Speedvision Network.
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Trademark Litigation

World Religious Relief d/b/a The Word Network v. Gospel Music Channel

Obtained dismissal of trademark lawsuit brought by competing cable television network. 563 F. Supp. 2d 714 (E.D. Mich. 2008)
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Admitted to Practice

  • District of Columbia, 1970
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit

Education

  • J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1969, with honors
    • Editor-in-Chief, Journal of International Law, 1968-1969
  • B.A., Political Science, Miami University, 1966

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Washingtonians for Children (division of Fedcap), member, advisory board
    • International Lawyers Group, member, Executive Committee
    • American Bar Association, Government Information and Right to Privacy Committee, Section of Administrative Law, former vice chair
    • Kids Enjoy Exercise Now of Greater D.C., board president
    • Kids Enjoy Exercise Now USA, member, board of directors
    • Partners For Kids, member, business community advisory board to District of Columbia Child & Family Services Agency
    • Annual District of Columbia Child & Family Services Agency Holiday Campaign for Foster Children
    • DC Works Student Intern Program, member, advisory board
    • Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemetery, volunteer/advisor

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Telecom-Broadcast & Satellite: Regulatory (District of Columbia) by Chambers USA, 2008-2009
    • Selected to "Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters, 2010, 2013-2022
    • Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2012, 2018-2020; High Honors, 2022-2024
    • Selected to "Who's Who Legal" in Telecoms Media & Entertainment, 2023
    • Named a "Top Lawyer" by Cablefax, 2018
    • Featured as a "2014 Dealmaker To Know," Multichannel News, April 21, 2014 ed.
    • Selected to "The International Who's Who Legal" of Business Lawyers-Communications Lawyers, 2002-2007; Regulatory Communications Lawyers, 2003-2012, Data – Telecoms and Media Lawyers, 2019
    • Recipient, Willard J. Wright Award for Outstanding Civic Performance, 2008
    • Selected to "Legal Elite," Washington SmartCEO Magazine, 2007
    • An International Who's Who of Telecoms Lawyers, 1st and 2nd editions
    • Cable TV Pioneers

Background

    • Partner, Cole Raywid & Braverman LLP, Washington, D.C., 1974-2006
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