Expertise

John is Chair of the firm's Cable and Telecommunications Group, and for over 25 years has worked on communications, utility and energy law matters. He practices before the Federal Communications Commission and Michigan Public Service Commission. Among other things, he represents municipalities nationwide (over 200 to date) on cable and telecommunications matters such as franchising, transfers, rate regulation, Wi-Fi and FCC cases. Cell tower and WiMAX tower leases are another part of his practice, where he typically represents landowners (municipalities, schools, private parties) on leases for towers, and municipalities on cell tower zoning issues and litigation.

Education

• University of Michigan Law School
  Ann Arbor, Michigan
  J.D., magna cum laude, 1975
• Yale University
  New Haven, Connecticut
  M.A., magna cum laude, 1972
• Harvard College
  Cambridge, Massachusetts
  B.A., magna cum laude, 1970

Recognition & Rankings

John received the Member of the Year award from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors in 1996 for his work representing municipalities on the passage and implementation of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 and received a Special Award of Merit from the Michigan Municipal League in 2006 for his state and national work on behalf of municipalities to preserve local cable franchising and control over the public rights-of-way.

Professional Activities

John is a former Chair of the Municipal Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan and has served on the governing Council of that Section. He is a past Chairman of the Legal Section of the American Public Power Association.

Community Activities

John is committed to community involvement at the local level and is a Board member of Hilltop House, an assisted living facility in Brattleboro, Vermont. He is also Secretary/Treasurer of his condominium association and a Trustee of the Harvard Glee Club Foundation.