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Russell H. Fox

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[email protected]

+1.202.434.7483

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Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Whether they are in the middle of a transaction with difficult regulatory issues, working with Congress on legislative drafting, or securing critical operational authority, clients value Russell’s accessibility and ability to find creative solutions. He works with major telecommunications providers, trade associations, equipment manufacturers, public safety organizations, and entrepreneurs proposing new products or services.

Russell provides advice to all participants in the robocall/robotext ecosystem. He assists those that make calls, such as health care providers, utilities and vendors on how to structure messaging campaign. He also provides guidance on the appropriate wording for terms and conditions accepted by call recipients. He also counsels communications providers on call handling, including call blocking obligations.

Before joining the firm, Russell was a partner and head of the telecommunications department in the Washington office of a major Chicago-based law firm, where he represented users and providers of telecommunications services and equipment. Previously, he was the executive director and president of the American SMR Network Association, Inc., where he established offices of a national trade association representing a segment of the wireless telecommunications industry.

Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Experience

Transactions

  • Represented Straight Path Communications, as it entered into a historic Consent Decree with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in its merger with Verizon Communications Inc. The Consent Decree permitted Straight Path to retain its most high-value FCC licenses in the face of an FCC investigation into potential rule violations. As a result of the Consent Decree, Straight Path was able to enter into an agreement with Verizon for $3.1 billion in value.

Legislative

  • Advised CTIA, the national wireless trade association in the eventual adoption of the TRACED Act, which mandates that communications providers take actions to prevent illegal robocalls.

FCC Regulation

  • Serve as primary outside counsel to Wi-Fi Alliance on FCC regulatory matters. Help spearhead efforts to make an additional 1200 megahertz of spectrum available for Wi-Fi, a significant increase in spectrum capacity.
  • Assisted Trimble Inc., a major manufacturer of GPS equipment, challenge grant of a license to an entity that proposes a service in adjacent frequency spectrum that would threaten the reception of GPS signals.
  • Successfully negotiated a consent decree with the FCC under which Radwin, a manufacturer of advanced telecommunications equipment, was able to pay a modest forfeiture penalty and implement a compliance program. Radwin marketed equipment in the U.S. in a manner inconsistent with the FCC's rules.
  • Assisted T-Mobile in urging the adoption of rules governing the so-called "C-band" which was subsequently auctioned and generated more revenues than any other FCC auction.
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viewpoints

$100 million in Federal funds may soon become available to help healthcare providers cover the costs of broadband and connected care services. Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on a proposal, on which it will seek public comment, for a new “Connected Care Pilot Program,” and the comment period on that proposal has now begun. The proposed program would direct money to telehealth initiatives, especially for medically underserved populations like low-income families and veterans. The money would come from the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is an existing fund of fees paid by telecommunications service providers currently used for a variety of purposes.
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Monthly TCPA Digest – July 2019

July 18, 2019 | Article

This issue covers recent TCPA-related FCC activity, pending robocall legislation, and a class action ruling in the Eight Circuit upholding a significant reduction in TCPA damages.
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On May 30, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld a $61 million class action judgment against Dish Network for its violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Krakauer v. Dish Network, Case No 18-1518 (4th Cir. May 30, 2019). The lead plaintiff, Thomas Krakauer, submitted his phone number to the national Do Not Call Registry in 2003 but was still called by Dish’s vendor, Satellite System Networks (SSN). This judgment sounds a warning to all companies: if you contract with third-party vendors for marketing purposes, seek assurances and closely monitor the vendor’s compliance with applicable federal regulations. Otherwise, you may be on the hook.
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This TCPA Digest covers an FCC rule allowing default call blocking services and a 4th Circuit ruling upholding a $61M judgment against Dish Network for a third-party agent's actions.
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This TCPA Digest covers congressional bills to combat illegal robocalls, TCPA matters at the FCC, and a 4th Circuit ruling that voided the TCPA's federal debt-collection exemption.
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Read about the Fourth Circuit’s American Association of Political Consultants decision, which struck down the federal debt collection exemption to the TCPA.
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This TCPA Digest covers comments on FCC proposals to modify the Truth in Caller ID rules, how the TCPA could impact the 2020 Census, and congressional hearings and legislation about robocalls.
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News & Press

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Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

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BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.

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Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

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In the latest guide, Mintz garnered rankings as a top national firm in eight practice areas, and 32 firm attorneys were individually recognized.
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Events & Speaking

Speaker
Feb
28
2019

Five Steps to 5G: Prepping for the Next Generation

3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130

Speaker
Apr
13
2016

Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2016

Practising Law Institute (PLI)

Webinar

Speaker
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Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Recognition & Awards

  • Recommended by the Legal 500 United States for Telecom & Broadcast: Regulatory (2017 – 2023)

  • Best Lawyers in America: Communications Law (2019 – 2024)

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

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Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Involvement

  • Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
  • Fellow, Radio Club of America
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