Michael Senkowski > DLA Piper LLP (US) > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

DLA Piper LLP (US)
500 EIGHTH STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20004
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
United States

Work Department

Telecoms; Media, Sport and Entertainment

Position

Partner; Co-Chair, US Telecom Practice; Co-Chair, Global Telecom Regulatory Practice

Career

For more than 50 years, Mike has represented both startup entrepreneurs and industry leaders in telephony, wireless, international, and Internet issues. He has handled hundreds of telecommunications transactions, ranging from small deals to five of the largest telecom mergers in history, including T-Mobile’s merger with Sprint. He has engaged in virtually all aspects of telephony issues resulting from the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He also advises clients on broadcast mergers and issues, including one of the largest TV transactions of all time.

Mike is highly experienced in spectrum allocation and wireless policy issues for both service providers and manufacturers. He is experienced in the full range of advocacy venues important to telecom decision making. Businesses turn to him when they are facing investigations of compliance forfeiture proceedings.

With respect to global telecom, Mike is managing market access and regulatory compliance for companies going global in over 30 countries around the world.  He also has been active in the deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, including service on FCC advisory committees with respect to identification and tracking systems.

Education

J.D., George Washington University Law School; B.A., Yale University

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory

(Hall of Fame)

Michael SenkowskiDLA Piper LLP (US)

With ‘incredible depth and broad experience in the telecoms space’, DLA Piper LLP (US) recently announced the establishment of a global regulatory practice for telecoms and tech. Primarily based in Washington DC, the telecoms team includes a number of regulatory experts with federal government experience. The firm boasts a space exploration and innovation group; the team continues to increase its focus on space and satellite mandates, advising on new innovations in the sector, as well as radio spectrum allocations for space and earth stations. Nancy Victory and Michael Senkowski co-head both the US telecom group and the firm’s global telecoms practice, recently acting as lead regulatory counsels for T-Mobile in its sector-significant merger with Sprint. Peter Karanjia leads the administrative law appellate team, bolstering the practice’s full-service offering. Eric DeSilva offers both regulatory and transactional advice on wireless matters, while Tony Lin advises start-ups, satellite companies and defense contractors on spectrum and other regulatory approvals. San Francisco-based Kristin Jacobson handles communications regulatory, compliance, policy and transactional matters for clients, including telecoms and broadband service providers. Peter Shroyer brings FCC experience, including in enforcement proceedings and advocacy filings, while, in Seattle, Ariel Diamond West advises clients such as global software and communications companies on FCC and CPUC matters. Edward “Smitty” Smith left the firm in December 2023.

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: transactions

(Leading lawyers)

Michael Senkowski – DLA Piper LLP (US)

DLA Piper LLP (US) continues to expand its full-service offering for telecoms and broadcast clients, showcasing its ‘deep knowledge and innovative approach‘. The market-leading telecoms team remains at the forefront of key transactions in the sector, advising T-Mobile on its merger with Sprint and handling telecoms assets, fiber and spectrum deals. The firm’s space and satellite group has also seen continual growth, handling agreements for satellite providers and involved in satellite system deployment on a global scale. Michael Senkowski led the recent integration of the firm’s legal, regulatory and engineering offering, heading both the firm’s US and global telecoms teams alongside Nancy Victory. Eric DeSilva handles wireless communications transactions and Tony Lin boasts particular expertise in the space and satellite sector. Michael Hazzard’s international expertise sees him advise global communications, infrastructure and software clients on cross-border transactions, reorganizations and restructurings. From San Francisco, Kristin Jacobson takes a lead role in investigations and enforcement actions, fielding a wealth of public sector experience. Also bringing FCC experience to the team, Peter Shroyer handles FCC approvals for transactions, as well as commercial matters and spectrum acquisitions. From Seattle, Ariel Diamond West advises an extensive clientele that includes global software and communications companies. The team is based in Washington DC, unless stated otherwise. Edward “Smitty” Smith left the firm in December 2023.