Maria T. Browne
Partner
Maria Browne is a leading advisor on the laws, regulations, and commercial arrangements governing digital infrastructure deployment. She represents broadband providers and other communications companies in matters involving network deployment, permitting, access to existing utility infrastructure, pole attachments, rights-of-way, as well as related regulatory and operational issues.
Maria helps clients navigate complex infrastructure projects by negotiating pole attachment and infrastructure access agreements, advocating in contested regulatory and litigation proceedings, and advising on the development of new laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting broadband deployment. Her practice spans transactional, regulatory, legislative, and dispute-resolution matters arising from the expansion and operation of communications networks.
She appears regularly before the FCC and has participated in numerous proceedings before state regulatory bodies, including in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Maria also frequently works with local counsel to secure favorable outcomes for clients in state and federal courts.
Practice Highlights
Infrastructure deployment
Maria represents clients before the FCC, state public-service commissions, and courts in disputes and rulemaking proceedings concerning broadband and digital infrastructure deployment, including with respect to pole attachment matters. She negotiates pole attachment and conduit occupancy agreements with utilities nationwide and advises clients on related regulatory requirements governing access to public rights-of-way and private easements, and assists in drafting legislation and ordinances pertaining to infrastructure deployment.
Maria also counsels hyperscale cloud and digital infrastructure companies on national network strategies supporting large-scale data center deployments, including securing access to rights-of-way for redundant fiber routes and addressing regulatory issues affecting terrestrial and subsea connectivity infrastructure.
Accessibility
Maria assists clients in ensuring compliance with laws and rules requiring information, communications, technology, video programming and web content, to be accessible to persons with disabilities. Laws and regulations include the 21st Century Communications Video and Accessibility Act and implementing FCC regulations, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the European Accessibility Act, and numerous state laws as well as those of other nations, including Canada.
Cable and telecommunications
Federal Communications Commission
State Public Service Commission
Commercial Litigation
Additional Representative Matters
Admitted to Practice
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District of Columbia, 1993
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Virginia, 1992
Education
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J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1992
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B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1989
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Federal Communications Bar Association
- Volunteer and Board Member, KEEN of Greater D.C.
- Volunteer, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
- Volunteer, Tahirih Justice Center
- Aquatics Committee Member, Army Navy Country Club
- Usher, Historic Christ Church, Alexandria, Va.
Professional Recognition
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- "John M. Davis Award," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2021
- Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2012-2013, 2016 (High Honors), 2018-2019, 2022-2023