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.
viewpoints
Telephone and Texting Compliance News — December 2023
December 27, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin, Joshua Briones, Esteban Morales
In this month’s Telephone and Texting Compliance News, we report on updates made by the FCC’s Report and Order on robotexting and the importance of reviewing and challenging class definitions as a TCPA defendant.
Telephone and Texting Compliance News: Regulatory Update — The FCC Contemplates Industry-Altering Changes to Securing Consent
November 30, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Esteban Morales, Jonathan P. Garvin
Read about an FCC Draft Report and Order, which, if adopted, would potentially require “one-to-one consent from consumers for robotexts and robocalls, disrupting industry practices.
Telephone and Texting Compliance News: Regulatory Update — Senate Holds Hearing on “Protecting Americans from Robocalls”; Senators Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen Robocalling Penalties; FCC Approves Inquiry into Impact of AI on Robocalling
November 30, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
Read about a hearing titled “Protecting Americans from Robocalls” held by the US Senate Science, Commerce, and Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, the Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious and Outrageous Telephone (“DO NOT”) Call Act reintroduced in the Senate, and the FCC’s new inquiry into the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on robocalling.
Telephone and Texting Compliance News — November 2023
November 30, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin, Joshua Briones, Esteban Morales
In this month’s Telephone and Texting Compliance News, we report on an FCC Draft Report and Order, which, if adopted, would potentially require “one-to-one consent,” a recent US Senate hearing titled “Protecting Americans from Robocalls,” the Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious and Outrageous Telephone (“DO NOT”) Call Act reintroduced in the Senate, the FCC’s new inquiry into the impact of artificial intelligence on robocalling, the Ninth Circuit’s decision in True Health Chiropractic, Inc. v. McKesson Corp. approving decertification of a TCPA class action involving a fax, and the Arizona federal court’s holding in Howard v. Republican Nat’l Comm.
Telephone and Texting Compliance News — October 2023
October 31, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
In this month’s Telephone and Texting Compliance News, we report on the FCC’s adoption of rules adding new obligations for interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol service providers that obtain numbers for their customers directly from a numbering administrator and several Enforcement Bureau actions, including an Initial Determination Order against One Owl Telecom, 20 Orders to initiate the removal of noncompliant voice service and gateway providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database, and an order reinstating Global UC Inc.’s certification in the RMD.
Telephone and Texting Compliance: Commission Takes Steps to Remove Noncompliant Providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database While Reinstating Another
October 31, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
On October 16, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released 20 Orders to initiate the removal of noncompliant voice service and gateway providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database and reinstated Global UC Inc.’s certification in the RMD, which included entering into a Compliance Plan with the company.
Telephone and Texting Compliance: Commission to Consider Rules Limiting Access to Numbering Resources to Curb Spoofing
October 31, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
The FCC adopted rules adding new obligations for interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol service providers that obtain numbers for their customers directly from a numbering administrator and is seeking comment on additional proposals involving direct access.
Telephone and Texting Compliance: Commission Takes Another Step to Shut Down Repeat Violator
October 31, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
The FCC Enforcement Bureau released an Initial Determination Order against One Owl Telecom, giving the company 14 days to respond to a finding of noncompliance with a notice requiring the company to stop illegal traffic. If One Owl failed to respond or to demonstrate compliance by the deadline, the Bureau will issue an order requiring all downstream providers to block all One Owl traffic within 30 days.
Telephone and Texting Compliance News — August 2023
August 31, 2023 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
In this month’s Telephone and Texting Compliance News, we report on upcoming hikes to the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry access fees, the FCC’s record fine of nearly $300 million for robocalling and spoofing, and the FCC’s re-selection of a USTelecom-led industry group as its Registered Traceback Consortium.
News & Press
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
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©.
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.
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.
Mintz Practice Groups and Attorneys Garner Top Rankings in 2020 Edition of The Legal 500 United States
June 12, 2020
Mintz Attorney Russell H. Fox to Speak at 2013 mHealth Summit
December 09, 2013
Events & Speaking
Robocalling and Robotexts: What Consent is Necessary and Recent Changes in FCC Regulation
MyLawCLE
Virtual Event
Five Steps to 5G: Prepping for the Next Generation
3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130
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 – 2025)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
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
