Pillsbury today announced that Lew Paper, formerly a partner at Dickstein Shapiro LLP, has joined the firm’s Communications practice as a partner in its Washington, DC office. Accompanying Paper from Dickstein Shapiro is Communications counsel Andrew S. Kersting.
A former Associate General Counsel at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Legislative Counsel in the United States Senate, Lew Paper has extensive experience with business and legal issues facing broadcasters, wireless carriers, lenders, investors and other industry stakeholders. His clients over the years have included ACME Television, Chase Manhattan Bank, CIT, Cumulus Media, Royal Bank of Scotland, Silver Point Capital, Wachovia Securities, The WB Television Network, and Wells Fargo Foothill.
Paper has parlayed his experience and contacts as the founder and moderator of the much-respected financing conference at the annual National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Radio Show. The conference – which features industry leaders as speakers – has been a staple of the radio show for 20 years and always draws a standing-room crowd.
“Lew brings outstanding insight and experience to Pillsbury’s preeminent Communications practice and further strengthens our regulatory capabilities in Washington and firmwide,” said Pillsbury Firm Chair Jim Rishwain. “Communications spans industry sectors Pillsbury serves most, including media, technology and finance. We are excited to extend and deepen our relationships in this area on behalf of our clients.”
“Members of our practice have known and worked with Lew, and have always been impressed with Lew’s skills, reputation and accomplishments in the communications field. We’re very excited to welcome him to our team,” said Washington partner Clifford M. Harrington, firmwide leader of Pillsbury’s communications practice. “Lew’s work for broadcasters, lenders, and wireless companies makes him a great fit for our clients. His entrepreneurial view of the industry also fits our practice’s multidisciplinary approach to anticipating new opportunities and helping clients resolve diverse types of regulatory, litigation, intellectual property, finance and other related matters.”
“Pillsbury’s profile in this sector and industry-focused teams make it an appealing place to continue my practice,” Paper added. “This is a very dynamic time for communications enterprises affected by everything from the broadcast industries and potential wireless spectrum auctions and reorganization, to the emergence of the Web as a content channel, particularly through smartphones and other devices. Pillsbury’s body of regulatory and business work in the field – and the firm’s connections from Silicon Valley to New York, and overseas – make us a well-positioned group at a crucial time.”
Paper’s experience and practice cover the full range of communication industry issues. His primary focus is on transactional matters involving broadcasting and other industries, including negotiation of contracts for sales and financing, prosecution of matters before the FCC and the handling of regulatory issues. His expertise in transactional and regulatory matters has been augmented by his extensive litigation experience in federal and state courts as well as his involvement over the years in a variety of legislative matters.
Paper is also a former Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University.
Andrew S. Kersting has more than 15 years of experience representing a wide variety of clients from individual entrepreneurs to publicly traded companies in a broad array of matters involving radio and television stations. His practice encompasses negotiating and drafting agreements for the acquisition or sale of stations, financing of station acquisitions, preparation and filing of rulemaking petitions and applications for authorizations, regulatory counseling, and participation in hearings and other litigation before the Federal Communications Commission. He has particular experience with interference issues, including matters arising out of the transition to digital television (DTV).
Pillsbury has one of the most prominent communications practices in the US, representing hundreds of radio and television stations nationwide, as well as domestic and international satellite operators, wireline and wireless telecommunications and data service providers, Internet companies, and other businesses with communications needs. The firm also represents numerous long-established and emerging suppliers of telecommunications and networking equipment, software and components. Attorneys’ role as outside counsel for some of the industry’s most successful and innovative companies gives the practice unique insights into new business models, next-generation technologies and regulatory trends. Representing clients at the negotiating table, in the courtroom or the halls of Congress, Pillsbury offers practical legal advice to address almost any issue a communications company can face.
