FCC Veteran Rick Chessen to Join Sheppard Mullin DC

On November 28, 2005, FCC Chair of the Digital Television Task Force and Associate Bureau Chief of the Media Bureau Rick Chessen will join Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in Washington, D.C. as a partner in the Entertainment, Media and Communications practice group and the firm’s new communications practice.

With more than ten years experience at the Federal Communications Commission, Chessen was appointed to spearhead the FCC's efforts regarding the transition to digital television. He was responsible for all legal, regulatory and technical issues relating to the digital transition, including broadcaster build-out, spectrum issues, consumer electronics and digital rights management.

At Sheppard Mullin, Chessen is reunited with former FCC colleague W. Kenneth Ferree, who joined the firm last month to lead the firm’s communications practice. Ferree previously served as Chief of the Media Bureau at the FCC.

Prior to joining the Media Bureau, Chessen held legal and regulatory positions at the FCC's Mass Media Bureau and Cable Services Bureau, and with commissioner Gloria Tristani. Chessen previously practiced at Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal in Chicago and Washington, D.C., specializing in media law.

"Rick's depth and breadth of experience at the FCC is a perfect fit for our growing communications practice," said Guy Halgren, managing partner of the firm. "We will be looking to Rick to build on our existing strengths in entertainment and media law by bolstering the firm's FCC capabilities."

"I enjoyed working with Ken at the FCC and look forward to growing the communications practice with him at Sheppard Mullin,” Chessen said. “I am impressed with the firm's entertainment group and am excited to expand its communications law capabilities."

Bob Darwell and Marty Katz, co-chairs of the firm's Entertainment, Media and Communications practice, are delighted by Chessen's addition to the group. "We are looking for opportunities to expand our practice and Rick brings substantial FCC experience to the group's growing communications specialty," said Darwell. Katz agreed, "Rick is a fantastic addition to our FCC practice. Both Rick and Ken Ferree reflect our commitment to join with 'A' quality lawyers."

"Another win for the D.C. office," said Edward Schiff, managing partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office. "In addition to the FCC group, Rick's specialization dovetails well with the office's M&A corporate practice and its regulatory focus in the Government Contracts, Antitrust and Labor & Employment practice areas."

Chessen earned his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1986 and graduated from University of Wisconsin with a BA in 1983.

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 450 attorneys in nine offices located throughout California and in New York and Washington, D.C. The firm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego. Sheppard Mullin provides legal expertise and counsel to U.S. and international clients in a wide range of practice areas, including Antitrust, Corporate and Securities; Entertainment, Media and Communications; Finance and Bankruptcy; Government Contracts; Intellectual Property; Labor and Employment; Litigation; Real Estate/Land Use; Tax/Employee Benefits/Trusts & Estates; and White Collar Defense. The firm was founded in 1927.