John W. Pestle Partner

Office: Grand Rapids
Phone: 616/336-6725
Fax: 616/336-7000
Email: jwpestle@varnumlaw.com
Download: V-Card, Resume
Assistant: Barb Allen, 616/336-6743

Telecommunications Experience

John is co-chair of the firm’s Cable and Telecommunications Practice Group. He focuses on representing municipalities nationwide on cable and telecommunications matters including the grant, renewal and transfer of cable franchises, Wi-Fi and Wi-Max (wireless) agreements, telecommunications matters, right of way matters, cellular tower zoning, cell tower leasing and FCC proceedings. He has worked with over 200 communities in 15 states on such matters. He also represents municipal and cooperative utilities and private parties on energy related matters.

Professional Activities

Member of the State Bars of Michigan and Arizona
Former Chair of the Municipal Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan
Has served on the governing Council of that Section
Past Chairman of the Legal Section of the American Public Power Association
Member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association

Recognition & Rankings

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
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

Bar Admissions

Michigan
Arizona

Community Activities

Secretary/Treasurer of a condominium association, on the board of a homeowner's association, and a member of the Finance Board of his church
Has been a Trustee of the Harvard Glee Club Foundation, Secretary of the Grand Rapids area child abuse prevention agency, and a Board member of Hilltop House, an assisted living facility in Brattleboro, Vermont

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