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- Home
- Professionals
- Gerard J. Waldron
Gerry Waldron represents communications, media, and technology clients before the Federal Communications Commission and Congress, and in commercial transactions. Mr. Waldron served as chair of the firm’s Communications and Media Practice Group from 1998 to 2008. Prior to joining Covington, Mr. Waldron served as the senior counsel on the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications. During his work for Congress, he was deeply involved in the drafting of the 1993 Spectrum Auction legislation, the 1992 Cable Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), CALEA, and key provisions that became part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
Mr. Waldron’s practice includes working closely on strategic and regulatory issues with leading IT companies, high-quality content providers in the broadcasting and sports industries, telephone and cable companies on FCC proceedings, spectrum entrepreneurs, purchasers of telecommunications services, and companies across an array of industries facing privacy, TCPA and online content, gaming, and online gambling and sports betting-related issues.
Mr. Waldron has testified on communications and Internet issues before the FCC, U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, the Maryland Public Utility Commission, and the Nevada Gaming Commission.
- Represents NBC and CBS Network Affiliates Televisions Associations on policy, strategic, and regulatory matters before the FCC and Congress.
- Represents leading online and media companies concerning the FCC’s CVAA accessibility rules.
- Represents NFL on spectrum and television policy issues before the FCC.
- Represented a top 5 global automotive supply company in a $800 million contract for telecom services and networks.
- Represented a coalition of leading IT companies advocating for net neutrality rules.
- Represented Frontline Wireless on spectrum regulatory policy, Hill advocacy, and negotiations with financial investors.
- Represented a broad industry coalition that successfully advocated for changes to FCC rules and passage of law amending TCPA.
Sports and Online Gambling
- Represented sports league on Internet gambling legislation and implementation of Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
- Advised media companies and high tech companies on online gambling issues.
- Testified before U.S. Congress and Nevada Gaming Control Board on online gambling.
- Advised several high-tech companies, online platforms, and retailers on the DOJ's reinterpretation of the Wire Act.
- Advised media companies, online and high-tech companies, financial establishments, and sport enterprises on 50-State legality of daily fantasy sports and related legislative and law enforcement activity.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Federal Communications Bar Association, Member
- Adjunct Professor, Catholic University Columbus School of Law, Institute for Communications Law Studies (1999-present)
January 13, 2021, Inside Tech Media
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) is seeking comment on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that would modify certain aspects of the FCC’s device authorization rules. Specifically, the FCC is seeking comment on a proposed revision to its device authorization rules to allow the importation of limited quantities of radiofrequency (“RF”) devices ...
November 23, 2020, Inside Tech Media
In what is expected to be one of the last meetings under the leadership of current Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Chairman Ajit Pai, the agency will consider adopting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that proposes to modify certain aspects of the FCC’s device authorization rules. Specifically, the NPRM will propose to allow the ...
November 12, 2020, Covington Alert
The election of Joe Biden as President will influence virtually all areas of U.S. policy, including at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We previously previewed (here and here) key aspects of communications policy that would be affected by the presidential election and what a Democratic-led FCC would mean for each. To advance its communications policy ...
October 20, 2020, Covington Alert
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency, but its agenda is controlled by its Chairman, who along with any new Commissioners, is appointed by the President. The November 3rd election therefore will have a substantial effect on the FCC’s policies for the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors in 2021 and beyond. This alert ...
October 16, 2020, Communications Daily
Gerry Waldron is quoted in Communications Daily regarding the presidential election’s impact on the current dysfunction between the FCC and other federal agencies on spectrum management. Mr. Waldron says Capitol Hill will likely want to watch to see if the relationship between the FCC and other agencies “gets better on its own” in either a Biden or Trump ...
June 24, 2020, Inside Tech Media
Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) asked for comment on a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Consumer Technology Association (“CTA”) that proposes to modify the FCC’s device authorization rules to allow the importation and conditional, preauthorization marketing and sales of radiofrequency (“RF”) devices that have not yet been ...
May 20, 2020, Inside Tech Media
Yesterday, with vocal support from fellow Commissioner Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a draft Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“DR” and “NPRM”) to promote the use of broadcast spectrum for internet services (referred to by the FCC as “Broadcast Internet”). The full, five-member Commission will vote on adoption of the DR...… ...
April 22, 2020
WASHINGTON—Covington represented satellite provider Ligado Networks in its successful application for rights to deploy 5G services over its mid-band spectrum. On April 22, the full Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a unanimous decision approving Ligado’s application, finding that it will advance economic and security interests nationwide. The ...
April 8, 2020, Covington Alert
On Saturday, April 4, 2020, the White House released the long-awaited Executive Order (“EO”) formalizing the “Team Telecom” Process, titled the “Executive Order on Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector” (“the Committee”). This EO provides, for the first time, formal ...
May 16, 2019, Covington Alert
We are writing to provide an update on two important developments in U.S. national security-based regulation of trade: (1) a new, potentially expansive Executive Order on information and communications technology supply into the U.S. market, and (2) the Department of Commerce’s action to add Huawei to the Entity List.
May 1, 2017, Covington Alert
In a widely anticipated step, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has released the text of a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) proposing to change the legal framework that governs broadband providers, eliminate the “Internet conduct standard” for evaluating broadband provider practices on a case-by-case basis, and seek comment on whether to keep, modify, or ...
February 18, 2016, Communications Daily
Gerry Waldron is quoted in this Communications Daily article discussing the history of the 1996 Telecom Act. Waldron remembers drafting many telecom bills as a House aide "that went nowhere" after the 1984 breakup of the old AT&T/Bell local and long-distance phone monopoly. But he said the legislative efforts gained momentum with enactment of a cable act in 1992 ...
August 18, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...
November 20, 2013, Covington E-Alert
Current Spectrum Trends
October 28, 2013, Legal Seminar International, Seattle, WA
Broadcasters’ View on Spectrum Auctions
September 16, 2013, Competitive Carriers Association Conference, Las Vegas, NV
Satellite Television Laws in Title 17
September 10, 2013, Testimony before the House Judiciary Committee
July 24, 2013, Inside Tech Media
A congressional subcommittee held an oversight hearing Tuesday addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s progress in setting rules for the upcoming incentive auction of television broadcast spectrum for mobile broadband use. On Monday, the FCC released a Public Notice addressing one aspect of those rules, which would govern how TV stations that do not ...
A View from the Hill on Broadcast Issues
April 8, 2013, National Association of Broadcasters, Las Vegas, NV
August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...
June 9, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 92 individual mentions and 32 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2011 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
January 18, 2011, Inside Privacy
The key House committee with jurisdiction over privacy legislation is changing from top to bottom, undergoing as big a change as any committee in Congress, and is experiencing the largest turnover of Members and leadership in more than two decades. These changes will have a profound impact on not just who is driving the privacy...… Continue Reading
December 27, 2010, Covington E-Alert
20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Sparks Legislative and Regulatory Reform
September 29, 2010, Covington Advisory
June 23, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 85 individual mentions and 23 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2010 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
February 3, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, February 3, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that Gerard Waldron has rejoined the firm’s Washington office as a partner after serving as Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. In this role, Mr. Waldron has been deeply involved in all major energy and ...
September 6, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, September 6, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 115 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The recipients are as follows: Administrative: E. Edward Bruce and ...
June 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 44 practice mentions and 74 individual mentions in the newly released 2007 Chambers USA guidebook. The 2007 edition of Chambers USA attempts to identify the most skilled legal practitioners throughout the country based on the qualities most valued by clients. Covington attorneys have been ...
March 7, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, March 7, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP announced today that Mace Rosenstein has joined the firm as a partner. He will be resident in the firm’s Washington office, and will serve as co-chair of the firm’s Communications and Media practice group.Mr. Rosenstein’s practice focuses on broadcast station investments, transactions and regulation. He has ...
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for Communications Law (2007-2008; 2012-2017)
- Recognized by Legal 500 US for Telecoms & Broadcast (2013-2015) and Energy: Regulatory (2014)