Commercial Real Estate, Construction, and Environmental

Construction and licensing of new facilities and stations is another way our attorneys assist clients in the telecommunications industry. We provide a full range of services, including negotiating leases and purchases of real estate, providing environmental assessments, preparing for state environmental reviews, and preparing all contracts associated with construction.

Corporate and Tax Planning

From the formation of entity structures to the execution of contracts, our attorneys implement joint ventures, divestitures, mergers, and acquisitions. We counsel clients on all aspects of federal, state, and international taxation including federal excise tax issues. Our attorneys assist in the negotiation of franchise agreements, implementation of name changes, purchase and sale of broadcast station licenses, financial restructuring of distressed companies, and many other matters.

Intellectual Property

With the worldwide explosion in technology, protecting intellectual property (IP) is now a critical need. Harris Beach is at the forefront of counseling clients on IP protection as well as enforcing their IP property rights. We register trademarks and patents, assist in managing IP portfolios, help clients maximize IP assets through licensing, and litigate when needed. In both the United States and worldwide, we have successfully prosecuted patents in a wide variety of technologies.

Labor and Employment

Harris Beach handles all aspects of labor and employment law and litigation for telecommunications manufacturers and service providers alike, including occupational safety and health, employers’ rights, employment regulations, collective bargaining, negotiations, labor contract administration, employment discrimination, employee benefits, transitional liability for labor and pension obligations following acquisitions, and personnel policies. Our attorneys have extensive trial experience with all types of discrimination, including age, gender, sexual harassment, national origin, race, religion, and disability matters.

Litigation and Defense

Our attorneys have earned a national reputation for effectively defending difficult and often highly-charged cases on behalf of some of the world’s largest companies, including international media companies. We successfully represented a cell phone manufacturer, serving as regional counsel in a national class action claiming a brain cancer link to cell phones. When faced with potentially high verdict cases, our attorneys achieve reasonable settlements or summary judgment while maintaining a low profile for our clients. We also assist clients with insurance litigation (including directors and officers policies), and subrogation actions.

Regulatory Compliance and Oversight

To ensure compliance with federal telecommunications regulations and other laws, we counsel clients on all statutes governing the industry and provide advice regarding the Federal Communications Commission and state Public Service Commissions. Our attorneys address rulemaking, market-opening, and other competition issues in arbitration proceedings before state public utility commissions. We obtain authorizations for our clients to provide services in particular jurisdictions and assist with assignments of certificates.

Zoning and Land Use

Our attorneys appear before state agencies and local planning and zoning boards to help our clients obtain special use permits, variances, and building permits for telecommunications facilities. We also offer legal counsel to private property owners in matters involving licenses, rights-of-way, and easements.