Susan Stith

She/Her

Counsel

T 202.973.4200 Washington, D.C.
My goal is to assist communications providers in the deployment of advanced services and new technologies that will improve the quality of life we all enjoy.
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Susan Stith is part of DWT's highly experienced team of infrastructure deployment experts, helping her clients navigate compliance issues and strategically manage risk. She is a seasoned litigator who has represented clients and communications providers before state regulatory agencies, commissions, and both state and federal district courts in a variety of proceedings.

Susan is well-versed in State Regulatory Commission and FCC rules and orders, having analyzed, interpreted and applied those rules and orders for more than a decade.

Practice Highlights

Negotiation of Pole Attachment Agreements

A large part of Susan's practice involves the negotiation of complex wireless and wireline infrastructure attachment agreements with investor-owned or municipally-owned utilities and cooperatives.

Cases of First Impression

Telecommunications law is an ever-evolving landscape of regulatory compliance issues, frequently changing the responsibilities of communications providers.  Susan has extensive involvement in the interpretation and application of new laws, such as the implementation of Section 54.204 of the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act, which applied the FCC Telecom rate formula to Municipally-Owned Utilities in Texas.

Infrastructure Access Issues

Maintaining access to existing infrastructure that has largely been under the exclusive control of utility providers for decades is a challenge, even with the legal protections afforded communications providers.  Susan enjoys cooperatively resolving disputes with utilities and removing roadblocks to the deployment of advanced services to build a better relationship between the utility and the telecommunications provider – and a better future for all.

Admitted to Practice

  • Texas, 1999
  • District of Columbia, 2014
  • California, 2019
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, 2017

Education

  • J.D., University of Texas School of Law
    • Associate Editor, Texas Review of Law and Politics
    • University of Sydney School of Law, Study Abroad Program
  • B.A., English Literature and Theater Arts, Saint Louis University
    • Pi Delta Phi (French) and Sigma Tau Delta (English) Honor Society Member
    • Honors Program Graduate
  • B.A., Media Communications, Webster University, magna cum laude

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Federal Communications Bar Association

Professional Recognition

    • Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2023
    • Negotiation Champion, University of Texas Board of Advocates, 1999
    • Shook, Hardy & Bacon Mock Trial Competition Quarter finalist, 1998
    • Susman Godfrey Moot Court Competition Quarter finalist, 1997

Background

    • Independent Contractor, Telecommunications Regulatory Attorney, 2017-2022, Austin, Texas
    • Special Counsel, Trial Practice, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, 2013-2017, Washington, D.C.
    • Senior Attorney, Oversight & Enforcement, Public Utility Commission of Texas, 2013, Austin, Texas
    • Attorney III, Legal Division, Public Utility Commission of Texas, 2008-2013, Austin, Texas
    • Attorney III, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 2007-2008, Austin, Texas
    • Independent Contractor, Attorney, 2004-2007, Austin, Texas
    • Associate, Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Schulze & Aldridge, 2003-2004, Austin, Texas
    • Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General of Texas, 2000-2003, Austin, Texas