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Debra McGuire Mercer
Partner
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
Debra focuses on communications and technology regulation. She represents communications companies in adjudicatory, enforcement, investigation, and rulemaking proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), state public utility commissions, and courts. Debra regularly counsels companies regarding market entry, federal and state regulatory compliance, FCC and state commission review of mergers and acquisitions, the Universal Service Fund...
Debra focuses on communications and technology regulation. She represents communications companies in adjudicatory, enforcement, investigation, and rulemaking proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), state public utility commissions, and courts. Debra regularly counsels companies regarding market entry, federal and state regulatory compliance, FCC and state commission review of mergers and acquisitions, the Universal Service Fund (USF), broadband funding, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), net neutrality, spectrum licensing and leasing, and equipment authorization and marketing of radiofrequency devices. She has extensive experience representing service providers that participate in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Debra has worked with clients in several industries, including the automotive, healthcare, hospitality, and real estate industries.
(USF), broadband funding, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), net neutrality, spectrum licensing and leasing, and equipment authorization and marketing of radiofrequency devices. She has extensive experience representing service providers that participate in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Debra has worked with clients in several industries, including the automotive, healthcare, hospitality, and real estate industries.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented largest U.S. wireless telecommunications reseller before the FCC and state public utility commissions in proceedings seeking designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier to provide Lifeline service; obtained designation in over 40 states.
- Represented major corporation before the FCC regarding its emergence from bankruptcy and in various transactions concerning its wireless licenses; secured authority from the FCC to transfer control of licenses in major transaction; developed compliance plan for managing wireless licenses.
- Advised state government agency regarding compliance with FCC wireless license regulations; drafted a request for waiver of construction requirements and showings of substantial service to secure licenses renewals; negotiated a lease of radiofrequency spectrum with another state agency.
- Represented international telecommunications carrier before Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) challenging audit findings regarding Universal Service Fund contributions; USAC reversed its audit findings.
- Represented telecommunications reseller in federal court litigation involving breach of contract and tortious interference with business claims. Drafted briefs arguing that arbitration clause in service agreement was not applicable; district court decision was affirmed by appellate court on interlocutory review.
- Represented a major cable company in a contested proceeding before FCC administrative law judge concerning a competitor’s qualifications to hold microwave licenses for the transmission of video programming in the New York City market. The FCC affirmed the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.
- Drafted U.S. Supreme Court petition for a writ of certiorari to the Eighth Circuit for a trade association representing companies operating local telecommunications networks in AT&T et al. v. Iowa Utilities Board. The petition focused on the FCC’s authority to regulate the pricing of access to local telecommunications networks under provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, JD (1992)
- Georgetown University, BSBA, Finance and International Management, magna cum laude (1989)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Practice Areas
Industries
Representative Matters
- Represented largest U.S. wireless telecommunications reseller before the FCC and state public utility commissions in proceedings seeking designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier to provide Lifeline service; obtained designation in over 40 states.
- Represented major corporation before the FCC regarding its emergence from bankruptcy and in various transactions concerning its wireless licenses; secured authority from the FCC to transfer control of licenses in major transaction; developed compliance plan for managing wireless licenses.
- Advised state government agency regarding compliance with FCC wireless license regulations; drafted a request for waiver of construction requirements and showings of substantial service to secure licenses renewals; negotiated a lease of radiofrequency spectrum with another state agency.
- Represented international telecommunications carrier before Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) challenging audit findings regarding Universal Service Fund contributions; USAC reversed its audit findings.
- Represented telecommunications reseller in federal court litigation involving breach of contract and tortious interference with business claims. Drafted briefs arguing that arbitration clause in service agreement was not applicable; district court decision was affirmed by appellate court on interlocutory review.
- Represented a major cable company in a contested proceeding before FCC administrative law judge concerning a competitor’s qualifications to hold microwave licenses for the transmission of video programming in the New York City market. The FCC affirmed the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.
- Drafted U.S. Supreme Court petition for a writ of certiorari to the Eighth Circuit for a trade association representing companies operating local telecommunications networks in AT&T et al. v. Iowa Utilities Board. The petition focused on the FCC’s authority to regulate the pricing of access to local telecommunications networks under provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Media
Recognitions
- Legal 500 United States, Telecoms and Broadcast–Regulatory (2023)
Professional Activities
- Federal Communications Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar Association
Debra focuses on communications and technology regulation. She represents communications companies in adjudicatory, enforcement, investigation, and rulemaking proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), state public utility commissions, and courts. Debra regularly counsels companies regarding market entry, federal and state regulatory compliance, FCC and state commission review of mergers and acquisitions, the Universal Service Fund... (USF), broadband funding, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), net neutrality, spectrum licensing and leasing, and equipment authorization and marketing of radiofrequency devices. She has extensive experience representing service providers that participate in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Debra has worked with clients in several industries, including the automotive, healthcare, hospitality, and real estate industries.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Representative Matters
- Represented largest U.S. wireless telecommunications reseller before the FCC and state public utility commissions in proceedings seeking designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier to provide Lifeline service; obtained designation in over 40 states.
- Represented major corporation before the FCC regarding its emergence from bankruptcy and in various transactions concerning its wireless licenses; secured authority from the FCC to transfer control of licenses in major transaction; developed compliance plan for managing wireless licenses.
- Advised state government agency regarding compliance with FCC wireless license regulations; drafted a request for waiver of construction requirements and showings of substantial service to secure licenses renewals; negotiated a lease of radiofrequency spectrum with another state agency.
- Represented international telecommunications carrier before Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) challenging audit findings regarding Universal Service Fund contributions; USAC reversed its audit findings.
- Represented telecommunications reseller in federal court litigation involving breach of contract and tortious interference with business claims. Drafted briefs arguing that arbitration clause in service agreement was not applicable; district court decision was affirmed by appellate court on interlocutory review.
- Represented a major cable company in a contested proceeding before FCC administrative law judge concerning a competitor’s qualifications to hold microwave licenses for the transmission of video programming in the New York City market. The FCC affirmed the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.
- Drafted U.S. Supreme Court petition for a writ of certiorari to the Eighth Circuit for a trade association representing companies operating local telecommunications networks in AT&T et al. v. Iowa Utilities Board. The petition focused on the FCC’s authority to regulate the pricing of access to local telecommunications networks under provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, JD (1992)
- Georgetown University, BSBA, Finance and International Management, magna cum laude (1989)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Practice Areas
- Appellate Practice & Legal Strategies
- Government Relations Strategies
- Outsourcing & Managed Services
- Privacy & Data Management
- Telemedicine
Industries
- Legal 500 United States, Telecoms and Broadcast–Regulatory (2023)
- Federal Communications Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar Association
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
