Public Policy and Lobbying

Patton Boggs’ TechComm group remains a centerpiece of what is widely regarded as the leading public policy and lobbying practice in the United States. For over 25 years, Patton Boggs’ attorneys have been deeply involved in every major communications policy issue before Congress and the FCC, starting in the 1980’s and early 1990’s with the emergence of subscription television, the break-up of AT&T, and the arrival of commercial satellite service, cellular telephone, and PCS technology.

While rapidly evolving political dynamics in an era of divided government create new risks for industry providers in Congress, Patton Boggs’ professionals are well-positioned to guide clients through the turbulent political waters to achieve their public policy goals. 

Indeed, the growing Patton Boggs TechComm practice plays an active role engaging with leaders in Congress that play a key role shaping modern communications policy, conducting regulatory oversight, and leading investigations that impact the communications and technology industries.  The House and Senate, for example, remain actively engaged in regulatory oversight on the status of FCC regulations – including Universal Service Fund reform proposals, recently adopted Open Internet rules, and other efforts to implement the National Broadband Plan.  Additionally, Congress continues to review broadband infrastructure policies associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and overseen by the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) and the Rural Utility Service (RUS).  Patton Boggs’ professionals play an active role interacting with Congress on these critical issues.

Congress is also deeply engaged in a wide-ranging policy discussion regarding privacy and data security as Americans increasingly access broadband-quality Internet service via fixed and mobile communications technology.  Patton Boggs’ professionals are actively engaged in this debate, and provide strategic counsel to major communications and technology providers based on high-level experience in Congress, the Administration, and independent regulatory agencies.  This depth and diversity of experience offers at-risk industry leaders a competitive edge for impacting the legislative and regulatory process. 

Our legislative efforts go beyond legislation to more broadly advance the interests of our clients in this industry. For example, Patton Boggs’ attorneys are engaged in ongoing legislative efforts to reform the patent process to improve the quality of patents, to reduce the power of so-called “patent trolls,” and to provide potential defendants with broader judicial protections in bringing products to market.  In addition, we are deeply involved in the effort to achieve enactment of copyright reform legislation that would shield consumer electronics and information technology companies from crippling statutory damages and to provide them with more legal protection in designing, manufacturing, and distributing innovative new products. 
With technology and communications rapidly evolving, legislative and regulatory initiatives will continue to emerge and impact industry players and, as those initiatives unfold, Patton Boggs’ professionals will be at the forefront of advocacy in Congress and the federal agencies looking to protect our clients’ business interests.