J.G. Harrington

As a Member in the Communications practice group, J.G. Harrington counsels the firm's telephone, mobile communications, cable television, and new technologies clients on federal and state regulatory issues and works with other clients to address issues that arise in their interactions with service providers and regulators. He has developed special expertise in matters relating to telecommunications competition, regulatory issues affecting new technologies, regulation of information and computer services, telephone interconnection issues, telephone numbering and both telephone and cable rate regulation issues.

Mr. Harrington’s practice includes extensive experience in both federal and state regulatory matters. His work has included both regulatory and policy issues affecting local telephone competition, universal telephone service, intercarrier agreements, intercarrier compensation and telephone numbering. He has assisted clients in a range of certification, transactional and interconnection proceedings. In connection with these representations, he has appeared in state proceedings across the country. Among other matters, he has represented clients in interconnection arbitrations and in seeking to obtain CLEC certification and access to interconnection in rural markets. He has negotiated interconnection agreements with large and small incumbent LECs and regularly advises clients on interconnection negotiation and implementation issues.

Mr. Harrington’s work with non-carrier clients has included counseling lenders and investors on legal and regulatory issues in transactions and ensuring compliance with telecommunications privacy laws and other requirements that apply to non-carriers using telecommunications services. Mr. Harrington also has assisted clients in negotiations with carriers and vendors for telecommunications service agreements, both for the client’s own use and for resale to other customers.

His new technologies practice focuses on developing regulatory strategies and policy analysis. It has included obtaining authorization for new and unique technologies from the FCC and positioning new services for favorable regulatory treatment under the FCC's rules and the Communication's Act. His representations have included substantial work in the development of the regulatory regimes for both cable modem service and voice over IP services. He also has represented clients in matters relating to the development and application of technical standards, both before the FCC and in industry forums. He also has served an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, where he has taught international telecommunications.

Representative Experience

Negotiation of interconnection agreements with Bell companies and rural telephone companies in North and South Dakota.

Successful litigation on behalf of a competitive carrier to lift the rural exemption for telephone companies in North Dakota.

Successful defense of an appeal of a favorable state regulatory commission decision in an interconnection arbitration on behalf of a competitive carrier in Nebraska.

Successful appeal of an unfavorable state regulatory commission decision in an interconnection proceeding in Oklahoma, including obtaining an FCC declaratory ruling contrary to the state commission decision.

First interconnection arbitration under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that was held at the FCC, rather than at a state regulatory commission.