Ms. Griffin has significant practical experience as in-house regulatory and corporate counsel to major telecommunications corporations, including foreign carriers and satellite service providers. She has in-depth knowledge of day-to-day operational issues as well as longer-term strategic concerns associated with the business of providing telecommunications and information services in the United States.
Ms. Griffin advises U.S. and foreign telecommunications carriers on U.S. international telecommunications policy and regulatory issues, with particular emphasis on foreign carrier entry and regulation; regulatory issues associated with new services; and compliance with ongoing reporting and other monitoring requirements.
Ms. Griffin has substantial experience advising on regulatory issues associated with proposed mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, and obtaining regulatory authorizations necessary to consummate transactions. Her practice in this area includes advice to foreign companies on the regulatory issues associated with foreign investment, such as Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) filings and mitigation agreements. For example, she has negotiated and implemented mitigation agreements that enabled an Islamic investment bank to obtain CFIUS approval to purchase a U.S. telecommunications carrier.
Ms. Griffin has extensive experience in regulatory and business issues associated with satellite communications. She advises satellite operators, service providers, and equipment manufacturers on a wide variety of regulatory issues concerning fixed and mobile satellite services in various frequency bands. She has represented clients in numerous rulemaking proceedings concerning spectrum allocation, orbital spacing, satellite replacement, and other technical and regulatory issues. She has assisted clients with license applications for earth stations, VSATs, mobile earth terminals, and satellites. Her commercial experience in the satellite arena includes drafting and negotiating contracts for sale, lease, or swap of transponder capacity; satellite launch agreements; satellite construction contracts; and joint venture agreements for the operation of earth stations.
Ms. Griffin has formed and led numerous cross-functional project teams to the completion of critical corporate objectives, such as obtaining satellite and other wireless network authorizations, obtaining local zoning permits for controversial wireless transmission equipment, and negotiating and closing major customer contracts.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Griffin held the following positions: chief U.S. regulatory counsel, British Telecommunications plc and assistant general counsel, Concert Communications Corporation, 1992-1997; regulatory counsel, GTE Corporation, 1991-1992; corporate counsel, Contel Corporation, 1989-1991; assistant general counsel, American Satellite Company (Contel ASC), 1981-1989; and attorney/advisor, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1980-1981.
Ms. Griffin currently volunteers at Community Tax Aid, a non-profit group that provides free income tax services to low- and no-income people in the Washington D.C. area.
