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Jennifer Johnson is co-chair of the Firm's Technology & Media Group, and former co-chair of the Communications and Media Practice Group. She represents and advises broadcast licensees, trade associations, and other media entities on a wide range of issues, including:
- digital television regulatory and policy issues;
- network affiliation agreements;
- media joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions;
- cable and satellite carriage issues and retransmission consent agreements;
- media ownership and attribution;
- syndicated programming contracts;
- political broadcasting requirements;
- new media strategies and ventures; and
- other strategic, regulatory and transactional matters.
Ms. Johnson assists clients in developing and pursuing strategic business and policy objectives before the Federal Communications Commission and Congress and through transactions and other business arrangements. Her broadcast clients draw particular benefit from her deep experience and knowledge with respect to network/affiliate issues, retransmission consent arrangements, and other policy and business issues facing the industry. Ms. Johnson also assists investment clients in structuring, evaluating and pursuing potential media investments. In its 2007 edition, Chambers USA named Ms. Johnson one of the leading lawyers in Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite. Ms. Johnson’s pro bono activities are focused on the development of the arts and human rights issues.
Representative Matters
- Representing the CBS Television Network Affiliates Association, the NBC Television Affiliates and the Network Affiliated Stations Alliance on a wide range of legal, policy and business issues concerning network affiliates and the broadcast industry generally.
- Advising on and negotiating affiliation agreements with all of the major television networks and a number of emerging or niche networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, MyNetworkTV, the CW, and certain Spanish-language networks.
- Assisting various clients in the purchase and sale of broadcast properties, such as Raycom Media’s purchase of Liberty Communications, Bonten Media Group’s purchase of BlueStone Television and the New York Times Company’s sale of its broadcast television group to Local TV, LLC.
- On behalf of MSTV, representing the television industry on key legislative, FCC and industry issues, such as the process for electing and assigning final DTV channels, the implementation of a “hard date” for the transition to a digital-only television service, and other issues impacting the integrity of the television broadcast service.
Honors and Rankings
- The Washingtonian, named one of the top communications lawyers in Washington (2007)
- Recognized in Legal 500 for Media and Entertainment - Broadcasting and Digital - US (2008)
- Recognized in Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (2008)
Pro Bono
- Tahirih Justice Center
- Silk Road Dance Company
- Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Memberships and Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- ABA's Forum on Communications Law, Division Chair (2005-2008)
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Federal Communications Bar Association
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