Mr. Sifers’ international practice encompasses a wide variety of matters, including international and domestic spectrum allocations and assignments, proposals for band sharing between terrestrial and satellite operations, including negotiations among and between private parties and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
In the United States, Mr. Sifers represents clients before the FCC, other federal agencies and state public utility commissions on matters regarding regulatory compliance, regulatory matters related to mergers and acquisitions, foreign ownership, spectrum allocations, and adherence to operational and technical regulation. He advises clients on the regulatory aspects associated with certain types of corporate transactions – mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, and debt and equity financings – including drafting regulatory disclosures in public offerings and reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Mr. Sifers advises clients on regulatory issues associated with foreign investment, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Team Telecom. He also represents clients in proceedings, investigations, and inquiries before the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), state public utility commissions, and federal and state courts.
Representative Experience
Member of a litigation team representing XO Communications on matters related to compensation for use of the public rights-of-way.Advise Raytheon Corporation on matters related to its implementation of the world-wide ground segment of NPOESS, the next-generation polar-orbiting weather and environmental satellite system, including obtaining landing rights in nine countries.
Prepare and file equipment authorization applications for manufacturers of telecommunications devices and radio station license applications for commercial and private wireless, experimental and developmental operations.
Advise clients in matters related to conduit occupancy rights, local franchises and public rights-of-way in municipalities throughout the United States.
Supervise regulatory transaction deal teams and manage coalitions participating in administrative rulemaking proceedings.
Represent clients before the FCC’s International Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and Office of Engineering and Technology on matters related to domestic spectrum allocations and proposals for band sharing between terrestrial and satellite-based wireless communications services.
Advise clients on regulatory issues associated with foreign investment, including CFIUS.
Represented a non-voice, non-geostationary orbit mobile satellite licensee (Little LEO) before the FCC and provided advice on obtaining international and domestic spectrum allocations.
Memberships & Associations
American Bar AssociationFederal Communications Bar Association
