Patton Boggs Lands Former FCC Chair Kevin Martin
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Patton Boggs snared Kevin Martin, the former chair of the Federal Communications Commission, to join its growing telecommunications practice.
Mr. Martin will join the firm's Washington office in early October and oversee the firm's technology and communications practice with Jennifer L. Richter. Mr. Martin served on the FCC for eight years, including four as the agency's chair. Ms. Richter is slated to be the next co-chair of Patton Boggs' preeminent public policy practice.
Mr. Martin served as chairman during a pivotal time in the telecommunications industry, a time when the industry underwent unprecedented change as a result of rapid growth and innovation. Mr. Martin created a regulatory environment that led to exponential growth in technological innovation, wireless infrastructure and coverage for Americans. Americans are now reaping the benefits of innovative technology at declining prices as a result of Mr. Martin's market oriented and consumer focused policies.
Under Martin's leadership, the FCC conducted the two most successful and profitable auctions of spectrum in U.S. history, raising nearly $20 billion in 2008 alone. Under his leadership, the FCC dedicated more than $400 million to the construction of broadband networks for state-wide and regional healthcare networks reaching over 6,000 healthcare facilities.
The addition of the former chairman of the FCC bolsters the firm's presence in the telecommunications arena.
"This is a major coup for Patton Boggs," said Stuart M. Pape, the firm's managing partner. "Kevin Martin is one of today's leading experts in telecommunications and technology policy with over 15 years experience as a lawyer and central policymaker in the field."
There is a long and distinguished record of former FCC chairs succeeding in private practice. "Kevin is a dynamic addition to the firm's thriving telecom practice," Mr. Pape said.
During Mr. Martin's reign at the FCC, the agency removed legacy regulations that had discouraged infrastructure investment and slowed deployment, leading to increased broadband investment and competition. The number of broadband lines available in the United States more than doubled to over 100 million.
Mr. Martin also championed innovative technologies, like using blank television channels or so called "white spaces," to improve wireless connectivity and inspire new Internet-based products and services for consumers.
Mr. Martin guided the FCC through one of the most massive projects the agency has faced preparing consumers for the nationwide transition from analog to digital broadcasting.
"Because of his tremendous work at the FCC over many years, Kevin has an unparalleled view and vision of the issues that impact communications and technology companies, their investors, and consumers," Ms. Richter said. "Kevin will be instrumental in helping us and our clients chart our course in this dynamic and rapidly changing industry."
Prior to joining the FCC, Mr. Martin served as a special assistant to the President for Economic Policy and on the staff of the National Economic Council. He also served as the official U.S. government representative to the G-8's Digital Opportunity Task Force, a government, non-profit and private sector task force created to identify ways to use technology to increase opportunities for developing countries.
"I had the privilege of serving the Federal Communications Commission for eight years, including four as chairman, and now I have the privilege of joining one of the most widely respected law firms in the country," Mr. Martin said. "I'm excited to join one of the nation's leading law firms and to work with such an impressive group of people. I'm eager to put my eight years of experience at the FCC to work on the cutting edge issues facing the technology and telecommunications industry today."
Patton Boggs LLPBased in Washington, D.C., Patton Boggs is a leader in public policy, litigation, and business law, and is well known for its deep bipartisan roots in the U.S. political arena. The firm's core practice areas are Public Policy and Regulatory, Litigation, Business, and Intellectual Property. With offices in New York, New Jersey, Dallas, Denver, Anchorage, Northern Virginia and internationally in Doha, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, more than 600 lawyers and professionals provide comprehensive, practical, and cost-effective legal counsel to clients around the globe. For more information, visit us at www.pattonboggs.com. To receive press releases from Patton Boggs, please contact Rebecca Carr at: rcarr@pattonboggs.com.
SOURCE Patton Boggs LLP
