Areas of Focus
With more than 40 years of experience practicing communications law, Howard Symons represents wireless, cable, and broadband businesses, industry investors, and the cable/broadband industry’s national trade association in matters before the FCC, courts, and Congress. His extensive knowledge of the communications industry, its evolution and direction, and keen appreciation for the impact of regulatory and legislative decisions and initiatives on the industry prove invaluable to clients.
In addition to decades in private practice, Howard has been instrumental in helping shape communications policy, having served as general counsel of the FCC and vice-chair of the FCC’s task force overseeing the groundbreaking “incentive” auction of broadcast spectrum. Earlier in his career, he served as senior counsel for the US House Telecommunications Subcommittee, where he oversaw development of the federal legislative framework for the cable television industry and the congressional response to the breakup of AT&T.
Howard taught telecommunications law and regulation for 10 years at George Washington University. He has authored numerous articles on the telecommunications policy process, testified before Congress and state legislatures, and spoken at industry conferences on regulatory and legislative trends. Regarded as “an invaluable asset to the entire telecommunications industry,” Howard received a Vanguard Award from the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association in 2010.
I apply my experience and industry knowledge to help clients navigate the complex legal framework that governs the communications industries, before regulators, legislators, and courts, and in structuring business initiatives.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
With more than 40 years of experience practicing communications law, Howard Symons represents wireless, cable, and broadband businesses, industry investors, and the cable/broadband industry’s national trade association in matters before the FCC, courts, and Congress. His extensive knowledge of the communications industry, its evolution and direction, and keen appreciation for the impact of regulatory and legislative decisions and initiatives on the industry prove invaluable to clients.
In addition to decades in private practice, Howard has been instrumental in helping shape communications policy, having served as general counsel of the FCC and vice-chair of the FCC’s task force overseeing the groundbreaking “incentive” auction of broadcast spectrum. Earlier in his career, he served as senior counsel for the US House Telecommunications Subcommittee, where he oversaw development of the federal legislative framework for the cable television industry and the congressional response to the breakup of AT&T.
Howard taught telecommunications law and regulation for 10 years at George Washington University. He has authored numerous articles on the telecommunications policy process, testified before Congress and state legislatures, and spoken at industry conferences on regulatory and legislative trends. Regarded as “an invaluable asset to the entire telecommunications industry,” Howard received a Vanguard Award from the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association in 2010.
I apply my experience and industry knowledge to help clients navigate the complex legal framework that governs the communications industries, before regulators, legislators, and courts, and in structuring business initiatives.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Admissions
- District of Columbia, 1978
Education
- Harvard Law School, JD, 1978
- Yale University, BA, summa cum laude, 1975
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
- US District Court, District of Columbia
Service / Recognition
Awards
- Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2022, 2024-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America, Communications Law, 2024, 2026
- Chambers USA, Leading Lawyers in Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (District of Columbia), 2019-2026
- National Cable & Telecommunications Association Vanguard Award, 2010
- Legal 500 US, Media, Technology, and Telecoms: Telecoms and Broadcast, Regulatory, 2018, 2020; Transactional, 2020