Telecommunications and media clients trust Sam Feder to remove the legal and regulatory obstacles that stand in the way of their future business goals. A former general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), he defends against the country’s most high-stakes enforcement actions, secures approval for hotly contested mergers and licensing transactions and litigates communications-related disputes. Sam serves as a Co-Chair of the firm’s Government Strategy Department and its Communications, Internet, and Technology Practice.
When cable, wireless or private equity companies face obstacles regarding net neutrality, broadband classification, universal service or intercarrier compensation, Sam views his client’s problem from a wider lens. With his grasp of the business, regulatory and political landscape, he advocates from both a legal and agency decisionmaker’s perspective. His experience as a former advisor to two FCC commissioners helps clients prepare for the impact of impending changes to regulatory policy.
Clients appreciate Sam’s ability to reach beyond litigation to solve their challenges. He builds support for their larger business goals and advocates for mutually beneficial outcomes between parties. But when litigation is unavoidable, he draws on experience as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice to litigate for clients in a wide range of disputes. His carefully crafted strategies enable clients to resolve enforcement matters, make favorable changes to regulations, and obtain approval for transactions.
I solve my clients’ real, practical problems by using all available tools, from traditional legal approaches to more creative solutions.
Representative Matters
- Represented SoftBank in obtaining regulatory approval for the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile
- Counseled Charter Communications in obtaining regulatory approval for the merger of Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House
- Settled one of the largest enforcement actions in FCC history
- Litigated multiple cases concerning the regulatory status of VoIP
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Telecommunications and media clients trust Sam Feder to remove the legal and regulatory obstacles that stand in the way of their future business goals. A former general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), he defends against the country’s most high-stakes enforcement actions, secures approval for hotly contested mergers and licensing transactions and litigates communications-related disputes. Sam serves as a Co-Chair of the firm’s Government Strategy Department and its Communications, Internet, and Technology Practice.
When cable, wireless or private equity companies face obstacles regarding net neutrality, broadband classification, universal service or intercarrier compensation, Sam views his client’s problem from a wider lens. With his grasp of the business, regulatory and political landscape, he advocates from both a legal and agency decisionmaker’s perspective. His experience as a former advisor to two FCC commissioners helps clients prepare for the impact of impending changes to regulatory policy.
Clients appreciate Sam’s ability to reach beyond litigation to solve their challenges. He builds support for their larger business goals and advocates for mutually beneficial outcomes between parties. But when litigation is unavoidable, he draws on experience as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice to litigate for clients in a wide range of disputes. His carefully crafted strategies enable clients to resolve enforcement matters, make favorable changes to regulations, and obtain approval for transactions.
I solve my clients’ real, practical problems by using all available tools, from traditional legal approaches to more creative solutions.
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
- Represented SoftBank in obtaining regulatory approval for the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile
- Counseled Charter Communications in obtaining regulatory approval for the merger of Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House
- Settled one of the largest enforcement actions in FCC history
- Litigated multiple cases concerning the regulatory status of VoIP
Credentials
Admissions
- District of Columbia, 1999
- Maryland, 1996
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, JD, summa cum laude; Daniel H. Grady Prize (highest scholastic average in the class at graduation); Class of 1908 Award (highest scholastic average in the class at the end of second year); Maurice Weigle Award (highest scholastic average in the class at the end of first year); Order of the Coif, 1995
- College of William & Mary, BA, cum laude, 1992
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court, 2004
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 2006
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1996
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1996
- US Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1999
- US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, 2005
Clerkships
- Hon. Edward R. Becker, US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1995-1996
Service / Recognition
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Communications Law, 2014-2022, 2024, 2026
- Chambers USA, Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (District of Columbia), 2010-2026
- Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2022, 2025; High Honor Roll, 2024
- Washington, DC, Lawyer of the Year, Communications Law, 2021
- Legal 500, "Hall of Fame", Telecoms and Broadcast: Regulatory, 2020, 2021; Media, Technology, and Telecoms: Telecoms and Broadcast: Regulatory, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016-18; Media, Technology and Telecoms: Telecoms and Broadcast: Transactional, 2016-18, 2021
- Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Communications, 2013-2023
- Washingtonian Magazine Top Lawyer, Communication, 2013
Community
- Federal Communications Bar Association, Co-chair, Judicial Practice Committee, 2005-2011
- Legal Aid Society of District of Columbia, Board Member, 2014-2022
- College of William & Mary Public Policy Program, Board Member, 2013-present