Overview
Brian Weimer is a leading FCC Lawyer, CFIUS Lawyer, and Space Lawyer. He is based in the firm’s Washington, DC office where he has practiced law for decades.
Experience
Experience
- Obtains market access and FCC licenses for space station operators, both GEO and Non-GEO.
- Advises companies on obtaining cable landing licenses and the regulatory issues presented by undersea cable companies.
- Advises satellite and wireless companies on regulatory proceedings impacting the value, uses, availability, and sharing of spectrum resources.
- Lobbies the FCC at the highest levels to achieve optimal outcomes for clients on their most important regulatory proceedings.
- Assists telecom companies navigate the myriad regulatory approvals necessary to consummate M&A deals, including Team Telecom and CFIUS.
- Secures special temporary authority and experimental licenses for telecom companies of all kinds.
- Prepares petitions for declaratory ruling to exceed foreign ownership benchmarks under the Communications Act.
- Obtains earth station licenses for satellite networks.
- Advises on regulatory aspects of business plans to assist fundraising efforts by start-up companies.
- Analyzes feasibility of foreign investment in telecom (and other) companies in light of strictures imposed by the Communications Act, Team Telecom, and CFIUS.
- Prepares applications for 214 authorization at the FCC and similar initiatives at the State level.
- Advises foreign companies on the need for and structuring of proxy companies in the U.S. to assist in obtaining specialized U.S. government contracts.
- Serves as a trusted advisor to founders and entrepreneurs in their most important strategic decisions as they relate to FCC, ITU, and market access actions around the world.
- Negotiates and drafts commercial contracts and M&A agreements for telecom companies.
- Advises companies through regulatory enforcement proceedings at the FCC and other federal agencies.
- Counsels telecom companies through restructuring efforts, including Chapter 11.
- Advises media and other telecom companies with all manner of regulatory requirements for their businesses.
Honors
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2014-2025
Recommended Lawyer, Telecoms and Broadcast (regulatory and transactional), Legal 500 US, 2010-2024
Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer, Communications, Super Lawyers, 2018-2024
Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2018-2021
Recognized Practitioner, Telecommunications, Chambers USA, 2017-2021, 2024
Insights
Articles
- "Key Considerations in Hosted Payloads," Satellite Finance, November 14, 2016
- "Complying with Laws that Affect Domestic and International Telecommunications Businesses," Inside the Minds: Recent Developments in Telecommunications Law, (c) 2013 Aspatore Books from Thomson Reuters Westlaw. Reproduced by permission. To purchase the book and to see the full chapter, please click here.
- "Loosening Satellite Export Controls," Law360, May 4, 2012
- "Key Details of CFIUS 2010 Annual Report," The Deal, January 25, 2012
- "Foreign Investment in China's Telecommunications Industry: Current Opportunities, Potential Barriers, and Future Prospects," presented at the 18th Biennial Conference of the International Telecommunications Society, June 28, 2010
- Periodic contributor to Via Satellite magazine, including Twenty Years of Via Satellite: How the Commercial Satellite Industry Recaptured Public Attention, 2006
- "The Year in Wireless Telecommunications 2005-2006," 24th Annual Institute on Telecommunications Policy & Regulation, 2006
- "Legal Opinions in Corporate Transactions Affected by FCC Regulation: An Economic Approach," 51 Federal Communications Law Journal 773, 1999
FCC Law Blog Posts
- "FCC Proposes New Rules Governing AI-Generated Robocalls," September 10, 2024
- "ALERT: Team Telecom Streamlining Procedures Take Effect," September 5, 2024
- "Burners and Backdoors: The FCC’s $16 Million Settlement with TracFone for Breaches of Customer-Facing APIs," July 31, 2024
- "Soil and Security: The Broadening Scope of CFIUS in Real Estate Transactions," July 24, 2024
- "Data Security Is National Security: Inside the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s Latest Crackdown," July 11, 2024
- "Space Bureau Regulatory Fees Skyrocket in FY 2024," July 2, 2024
- "Know Thy Neighbor as Thyself: CFIUS Considerations in Commercial Real Estate Transactions," June 10, 2024
- "FCC to Strengthen Equipment Authorization Process to Protect U.S. National Security," May 24, 2024
- "Dialing Up Accountability: FCC’s Warning Shot to Mobile Network Operators on CPNI," May 14, 2024
- "With Net Neutrality Order, FCC Grants Broadband-Only ISPs New Pole Attachment Protections," May 6, 2024
- "Treasury Department Proposes to Sharpen the Teeth of CFIUS Enforcement," April 23, 2024
- "Enforcement Advisory: The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau Continues to Closely Review Provider Compliance with Affordable Connective Program Rules," March 14, 2024
- "ALERT: FCC Seeks to Eliminate Digital Discrimination," December 20, 2023
- "FCC Adopts New Pole Attachment Rules to Promote Broadband Expansion," December 18, 2023
- "FCC To Vote on New Pole Attachments Rules to Promote Broadband Expansion," December 4, 2023
- "The Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Spectrum Strategy," December 1, 2023
- "Shutting Down the Cell Phone Scammers: The FCC Adopts Rules to Crack Down on Fraudulent Practices against Wireless Phone Users," November 30, 2023
- "ALERT: FCC Opens Rulemaking on Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Licensed Spectrum," January 4, 2023
- "ALERT: FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Announces Plans to Create a Space Bureau," November 3, 2022
- "The Many Layered Flavors of Broadband – The FCC’s Proposed Broadband 'Nutrition Labels'," April 5, 2022
- "D.C. Circuit Allows FCC To Open 6 GHz Band For Unlicensed Use," January 20, 2022
- "ALERT: NTIA Seeks Public Comment on Implementation of Upcoming Broadband Grant Programs," January 10, 2022
- "Look Up In The Sky! It’s Not A Bird. It’s Not A Plane. It’s A Haps!," December 6, 2021
- "Captain’s Blog: Fly Me To The Moon," October 14, 2021
- "UPDATE: National Security Meets Teenage Dance Battles: U.S. Increases Pressure on ByteDance Sale of TikTok," August 17, 2020
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"National Security Meets Teenage Dance Battles: Trump Issues Executive Orders Impacting TikTok and WeChat Business in the U.S.," August 7, 2020
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"Too Much Time on Their Hands – New Executive Order Limits Time Period for Team Telecom Reviews," April 7, 2020
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"Clear for More Takeoffs: Now is the Time to Have Your Voice Heard on New Satellite and Launch Regulations," March 19, 2019
- "Commerce Prioritizes Earth Selfies as It Seeks to Improve Remote Sensing Licensing," July 17, 2018
- "Once Bitten, Twice Shy: FCC Revisits Its Telemarketing Regulations In Light Of The DC Circuit’s Decision Striking Down Core Requirements," June 1, 2018
- "FCC Sets Sights on China," May 7, 2018
- "Chips on Their Shoulders: CFIUS Intervenes in Broadcom’s Hostile Takeover Bid for Qualcomm," March 8, 2017
- "FCC Proposes Expedited Treatment For New Technologies," February 28, 2018
- "Tracking Trends in CFIUS Review Process Based on Recently Released 2015 Annual Report," October 13, 2017
- "TCPA Update: FCC Seeks Guidance on Proposed Robocall-Blocking Rule," May 19, 2017
- "FCC Liberalizes Rules for Foreign Investment in U.S. Broadcast Licensees," October 17, 2016
- "Hailing on All Frequencies: The FCC Releases the Spectrum Frontiers Order," July 19, 2016
- "EXIM Bank Back in Business," December 9, 2015
- "Cyberspace Oddity: The FCC Regulates Internet Services as Common Carrier Telecommunications Services, ‘Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet',” February 27, 2015.
- "Turnin’ Havana to Atlanta: The White House Opens Doors for U.S. Telecommunications Investment in Cuba and Latin America," December 19, 2014
- "The FCC Takes a Seat at the Cyber-Regulation Table," December 1, 2014
- "Shedding Light on CFIUS: Appeals Court Holds That CFIUS Review Lacks Constitutional Due Process," July 18, 2014
- "Supreme Court Sides with Broadcasters in Aereo Decision," June 30, 2014
- "Once More Unto the Breach: the FCC Calls for Comments on Revamping Net Neutrality Regulations," May 16, 2014
- "Regulatory Reminder: Annual CVAA Compliance Certifications due April 1," February 25, 2014
- "Auction 96 - FCC Prepares for Upcoming H Block Spectrum Auction," August 28, 2013
- "FCC Considers Proposal To Lift 25% Cap On Indirect Foreign Investment In Broadcast Licensees," April 22, 2013
- "Regulatory Reminder: CVAA Compliance Certifications due April 1," March 26, 2013
- "FCC Reminds Advanced Communications Services Providers and Equipment Manufacturers of CVAA Recordkeeping Obligations and Compliance Certification," February 12, 2013
- "FCC's New Closed Captioning Rules Kick Into Gear," September 7, 2012
- "Proposed Easing of Satellite Export Controls Could Benefit U.S. Satellite Industry," May 1, 2012
- "FCC Proposes to Grant DISH's Wish," March 23, 2012
- "CFIUS Submits Annual Report to Congress," January 30, 2012
- "FCC Approves Controversial Net Neutrality Rules," January 4, 2011
- "FCC And FDA Focused On Convergence Of Communications And Medical Systems," August 4, 2010
- "FCC Loses Net Neutrality Suit," April 7, 2010
- "FCC Initiates Net Neutrality Rulemaking," November 2, 2009
Global Trade Law Blog Posts
- "First-Ever Executive Order on CFIUS Highlights Biden’s National Security Priorities," September 20, 2022
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"CFIUS Proposes Rules to Implement FIRRMA," September 20, 2019
- "FIRRMA Takes Form as CFIUS Enacts a New Pilot Program Targeting 'Critical Technologies'," October 11, 2018
- "FCC’s Foreign Media Reporting Requirements: Extension of FARA or New Domain?," September 20, 2018
Healthcare Law Blog
- "FCC Now Accepting COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications," April 13, 2020
Real Estate, Land Use & Environmental Law Blog Posts
Books
Media Mentions
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, "What is Now Expected for Filing Application Submissions with the FCC," ACI, April 25, 2022
- Speaker, "72nd International Astronautical Congress GNF Session: The Mega-Constellation Ecosystem: What industrial and regulatory elements are necessary for a thriving market?,” October 26, 2021, Dubai, UAE
- Speaker, “CFIUS and Team Telecom: The New Frontier Under FIRRMA,” February 19, 2020, Washington, DC
- Panelist, "We Found a Breach During Due Diligence - Now What Do We Do?" M&A Conference at Wharton San Francisco, May 16, 2018
- Moderator, "Angels, Incubators, and Early Stage Venture Capital," Space 2.0 Conference, Silicon Valley, California, April 26, 2017
- Moderator, "Legal Mechanisms for Facilitating Space Collaboration," Fifth Annual Space and Satellite Regulatory Colloquium, Washington, D.C., October 20, 2016
- Panelist, "Emergent Space Systems: Regulatory Considerations," SSPI's Emergent Technologies Discussion, Washington, D.C., June 2016
- Guest Speaker, "Fourth Annual Space and Satellite Regulatory Colloquium," Washington, D.C., October 2015
- Panelist, "Disruption in Space and Telecommunication," American Bar Association's Forum on Air and Space Law, Washington, D.C., June 2013
- Moderator, "Tribal Telecommunications Hurdles and Opportunities," NAFOA Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 2012
- Panelist, "The Battle Over Spectrum and Its Implications for the Future of MSS Networks," Satellite 2012 Conference, Washington, D.C., March 2012
- Speaker, "George Chamberlin Interview with Michael Altschul, Brian Weimer," San Diego Daily Transcript, San Diego Source, San Diego, California, October 2011
- Panelist, "Opportunities and Threats for a New Decade," Satellite 2010 Conference, Washington, D.C., March 2010
- Moderator, "Satellites, Broadcasting and Cable TV," Satellite 2007 Conference, Washington, D.C., February 2007
- Panelist, "Hybrid Wireless Technologies," International Satellite Conference and Expo, San Diego, California, June 2006
- Moderator, "Managing Risk in a Risky Business," Satellite 2006 Conference, Washington, D.C., February 2006
- Panelist, "Mobile Satellite: New Systems, New Opportunities," Satellite 2005 Conference, Washington, D.C., March 2005
- Guest Speaker, "Media Ownership and the Information Battlefield," National Public Radio's WBUR, Boston, Massachusetts, January 2003
- Panelist, "Telecom Deals: M&A, Regulatory and Financing Issues," Practicing Law Institute, New York, New York, July 2000
Events
Digital Media
Digital Media
Practices
Industries
Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1995, Olin Fellow in Law & Economics
B.A., University of Chicago, 1990, Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- Delaware
- Maryland
- District of Columbia