DLA Piper LLP (US)

Telecom; Transport; Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations; Media, Sport and Entertainment

Associate

Melissa Turcios has extensive experience in advising telephony, satellite and wireless service providers; communications industry trade associations; media companies; communications equipment manufacturers and others regarding regulatory, litigation and compliance issues in matters before the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Federal Aviation Administration.

Her practice encompasses a broad swath of topics, including 5G, satellites, Universal Service Fund support programs, net neutrality, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment and appellate litigation. Melissa has assisted in drafting settlement agreements for multiple state attorneys general, and she has assisted in compliance with state wireline authorization requirements and challenging state authority with respect to wireless services. She has participated in several appeals involving the telecommunications and technology sectors.

Melissa has represented both established and emerging providers of global fixed satellite service (FSS), mobile satellite service (MSS), and broadband Internet access as they seek to bring new offerings to the market and navigate changing regulations in a rapidly evolving industry.  Her practice encompasses preparing applications for space and earth stations; participating in rulemakings before the FCC on behalf of satellite operators and satellite interests; obtaining FCC licenses; and coordinating market entry across multiple jurisdictions.

Additionally, Melissa works on emerging issues in unmanned aerial systems and autonomous and connected vehicles, where she has advised clients on such topics as federal preemption, consumer privacy and spectrum policy before the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Motor Carriers Administration, and other regulators, including on the state-level.

Her legal experience also includes internships with the National Academies of Sciences, where she contributed research and content to reports on privacy and data citation, and the Texas Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, where she counseled clients on intellectual property protection, corporate formation and employment issues.

Melissa is actively involved in pro bono and civic work, including regular advocacy in matters involving immigration law.

English, Spanish

LL.M., Duke University School of Law; J.D., Duke University School of Law; B.A., Columbia University