Thaila Sundaresan
Partner
Thaila Sundaresan leverages her years of practice in government and the private sector to solve problems for broadband, communications, and tech clients who find themselves involved in matters before state and federal regulators and the courts.
A seasoned appellate litigator, Thaila has personally briefed and argued numerous cases in the federal courts of appeals. She loves being in the courtroom and is known for her unflappable demeanor and highly effective advocacy at oral argument.
While at the Federal Communications Commission, Thaila handled a number of complex appeals across a wide variety of matters, including challenges to opening the 6 GHz band to unlicensed users, the Lifeline Program, spectrum auctions, the national Emergency Alert System, and intercarrier compensation issues, to name a few. The extensive first-chair litigation experience she gained at the Commission gives her particular insight into the regulatory process, the rules themselves, the industries affected, and the technologies at issue before regulators and the courts.
Coupled with her litigation experience in the private sector, Thaila is uniquely situated to understand both the mindset of regulators and the needs of her clients who are at the dynamic intersection of telecommunications and technology.
Practice Highlights
Former government service
Admitted to Practice
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California, 2009
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District of Columbia, 2010
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Massachusetts, 2012
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U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
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U.S. District Court Central District of California
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U.S. District Court District of Maryland
Education
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J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 2008, magna cum laude
- Order of the Coif
- Order of the Barristers
- Henry Zoller Leadership Scholar
- National Moot Court Team
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B.A., International Relations, Stanford University, 2000, with honors
- Chappel Lougee Scholar
- Chappel Lougee Scholar
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Foundation Board Member, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, 2021-present
- Barrister Member, Edward J. McFetridge American Inn of Court, 2021-present
- Co-chair, Northern California Chapter, Federal Communications Bar Association, 2020-present
- Leadership Fellow, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2020-present
- Barrister, Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court, 2018-present
- Board Member, University of Maryland School of Law Alumni Association, 2014-2019
- Board Member, South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston, 2012-2014
Professional Recognition
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- Leadership Advancement Program Fellow, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2020-2021
- Leadership Advancement Program Fellow, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2020-2021
Background
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- Appellate Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C., and San Mateo, Calif., 2015-2021
- Senior Associate, Appellate & Trial Litigation, WilmerHale, Boston, 2011-2015
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Theodore A. McKee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, Philadelphia, 2010-2011
- Associate, Sidley Austin LLP, Washington, D.C., 2009-2010
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Deborah K. Chasanow, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, Greenbelt, M.D., 2008-2009