John D. Seiver
Of Counsel
Since 1984, John Seiver has either directly handled or been substantially involved with most of the major state and national communications litigation, with particular focus more recently on privacy, biometrics, and pole attachments. Providers that collect, store, and process personal data, biometrics, and communications content, are often targeted in civil and criminal investigations. Law enforcement and parties in civil litigation have determined that these providers are a source of data relevant to their legal pursuits—but oftentimes overlook the law governing how data can be disclosed. John's efforts are directed at making sure all the various federal and state laws protecting privacy are observed and he has helped clients respond to (or quash) state and federal subpoenas, orders, and warrants for cable, CLEC, wireless, location, cloud storage, and ISP data.
As utilities and pole owners have become more interested in profiting beyond cost reimbursement for hosting third-party attachments, John has also represented and advised cable, ISP, wireline, wireless, and VoIP attachers at the FCC and in the courts as disputes over makeready, permitting, NESC compliance, and rates, terms and conditions of pole attachments and rights-of-way access have been regulated, litigated, and resolved substantially in the attachers' favor under federal and state law.
Practice Highlights
Privacy litigation
Pole attachment litigation
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and Stored Communications Act (SCA)
Privacy and Security
Pole Attachments and Communications Regulatory
Admitted to Practice
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District of Columbia, 1979
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U.S. Supreme Court
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U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
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U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2011
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U.S. District Court District of D.C.
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U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
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U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
Education
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J.D., Boston University School of Law, 1979
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B.A., Economics, University of Virginia, 1975, with distinction
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Federal Communications Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Outside Counsel to the Mt. Zion / Female Union Band Historic Memorial Park, and Female Union Band Society Trust, Georgetown
Professional Recognition
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- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Communications Law by Best Lawyers, 2023
- Recipient, Finest Law Firm Writers of 2015 Award, The Burton Awards
Background
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- Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, 2007-2008
- Partner, Cole, Raywid & Braverman LLP, 1984-2006
- Associate, Cole, Raywid & Braverman LLP, 1979-1984