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Robert J. Rini Partner Direct: 202-463-4301 Fax: 202-296-2014 rrini@rinicoran.com |
Overview
Robert J. Rini's practice focuses on the representation of broadcast, fixed and mobile wireless broadband, new media and telecommunications interests before the FCC, Congress, courts and other federal and state administrative agencies. He has broad experience in general corporate, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and corporate finance, regulatory, legislative, trademark and copyright law.
Mr. Rini is a frequent speaker at telecommunications and Internet conferences and seminars. He serves on the Board of Directors of Network for Instructional TV, Inc., a national distance learning company, and Pegasus Tower Company, a developer of tower sites throughout the southeast. He has also served as President of the alumni association for the Institute for Communications Law Studies at The Catholic University of America Law School (2004) and Co-Chair of the On-Line Committee (2004-2005) and the Mass Media Committee (2005-2006) of the Federal Communications Bar Association.
Education
Catholic University Law School, Institute for Communications Law Studies, J.D., 1985.
State University of New York at Albany, cum laude, B.A., 1982.
Professional Memberships and Activities
Admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.
Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Member, Federal Communications Bar Association.
Specific Experience
- Represented rural telecommunications cooperative at the FCC in successfully opposing major satellite merger.
- Advised start-up cable television programming network and television program concerning FCC compliance issues.
- Led a coalition of broadcasters seeking new digital television allocations, and successfully secured 17 out of 39 changes to the table of allocations made by the FCC.
- Organized the Small Cable Business Association and successfully represented small cable operators in their efforts to obtain exemptions from burdensome FCC regulations.
- Represented multichannel video providers before Congress and the FCC seeking access to programming, resulting in passage of the 1992 Cable Act and various FCC rules.
- Secured first experimental authorizations for the provision of fixed wireless two-way Internet services.
- Negotiated hundreds of spectrum lease and acquisition agreements.
- Negotiated agreements and obtained Section 214 authorizations for new telecommunications companies to commence international service.
- Organized a coalition of educators opposing spectrum auctions.
- Drafted portions of registration statements and other securities documents and provide risk assessment for clients and financial institutions seeking to raise public and private debt and equity.
Representative Publications
"Fixed Wireless Seeks Radical Reworking of FCC Rules," by Robert J. Rini, March/April 2003
"Digital Rights Management Takes Center Stage," by Robert Rini, San Francisco Daily Journal, October 9, 2002.
"Spectrum Policy Needed as Economic Stimulus," by Robert J. Rini, TR Wireless, October 30, 2001.
"FCC Takes Hard Line on Implementing E911," by Robert J. Rini and T. Michael Jankowski, TR Wireless, April 19, 2001.
"'3G' Allocation Process Could Pinch Fixed Wireless," by Robert J. Rini and Jonathan E. Allen, TR Wireless, January 18, 2001.
"FCC Inquiry Encourages Broadband System Use," by Robert J. Rini and T. Michael Jankowski, TR Wireless, March 9, 2000.
"FCC May Hold Auctions for ITFS Spectrum Permits," by Robert J. Rini, TR Wireless, February 3, 2000.
"Wireless Providers Seek Greater Access Rights," by Robert J. Rini, TR Wireless, September 23, 1999
"UNE Ruling Spurs Telecom Competition," by Robert J. Rini, TR Wireless, October 7, 1999
"The FCC's New Deal for Wireless," by Robert J. Rini and Stephen E. Coran, Wireless Voice Video Data, November 30, 1998.
"Will Cable Carry the DTV Load?" by Robert J. Rini and Harvey Kellman, Legal Times, June 15, 1998.