Ralph C. Voltmer

Ralph Voltmer, Jr., a partner in the firm's corporate group, advises both US and foreign clients in cross-border transactions as well as entirely US-based transactions, such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and financings (whether debt or equity).  Mr. Voltmer has represented clients on a variety of transactions in Europe, Latin America and Asia, and a significant part of his practice involves representing clients in the media, communications and technology industries.

Representative Matters

• Representing National Geographic in the formation of NGC Network International LLC, a joint venture among NGT, Inc., a subsidiary of National Geographic Society, National Broadcasting Company and FOX Entertainment Group, Inc., for the international development and operation of the National Geographic Channel cable network; and the formation of NGC Network US, LLC, a joint venture between NGT, Inc. and Fox Entertainment Group, for the development and operation of the National Geographic Channel in the US.
• Representing PBS in connection with its participation in the formation of a cable channel network for pre-school aged children, PBS Kids Sprout, a joint venture among PBS, Hit Entertainment Plc, Sesame Workshop and Comcast Corporation -- a venture formation transaction that involved, among other things, the licensing of programming, the commitment of equity funding, and carriage on cable systems.
• Representing and advising PBS on various content distribution opportunities.
• Representing Scholastic Entertainment in the formation of a joint venture among ION Media Networks, Inc., NBC Universal, Inc., and Classic Entertainment to create Qubo, a children’s linear program service.
• Representing the Special Committee of Moscow Cablecom Corp. in a going private transaction with Renova Media Enterprises Ltd., the largest single shareholder of MOCC.
• Serving as special counsel to the Supervisory Board of Primacom AG, a publicly traded cable operator in Germany, in connection with a proposed restructuring with Primacom’s senior lenders.
• Representing MediaFLO USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated, in connection with the acquisition and clearing of the portion of the 700 MHz spectrum to be used by MediaFLO in connection with its nationwide multi-media network. Since working with MediaFLO in 2004 to acquire its final 700 MHz license creating a nationwide footprint, Mr. Voltmer has worked with MediaFLO to access its licensed spectrum by developing agreements unique to the circumstances, such as “Voluntary Band Clearing Agreement,” “Interference Consent Agreement” and “Voluntary Channel Migration Agreement” and negotiating such agreements with the corresponding incumbent television broadcast station licensee.

Honors and Rankings

• Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers (2008-2009)
• Chambers Global, India, Corporate Finance - Overseas Counsel (2009)
• Chambers Asia, India, Corporate Finance - Overseas Counsel (2008)
• Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, India - Foreign Firms (2008-2009)
• Recognized in Legal 500 for Telecoms - Finance: Advice to Telecommunications and Satellite Ventures - US (2007)

Pro Bono

• Representing Global Initiative on Sharing Influenza Data (GISAID), a non-profit organization formed to foster the international sharing of avian influenza isolates and related data.