WASHINGTON, April 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Washington, D.C. communications law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP has announced that David H. Solomon will join the firm in June 2005 as a partner. He will bring with him 24 years of experience in private practice and government service, most recently as Chief of the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Mr. Solomon was appointed to organize and lead the FCC's Enforcement Bureau when it was created in 1999, and is the only person to have held that post. As Bureau Chief, he has overseen FCC enforcement matters affecting all the industries regulated by the agency. Mr. Solomon's office has been responsible for cases involving telephone competition, broadcast and cable public interest, consumer protection, public safety/homeland security, spectrum and equipment matters, and universal service, thereby raising the FCC's profile among federal agencies with enforcement powers.
Before his appointment to head the Enforcement Bureau, Mr. Solomon served for twelve years in the FCC General Counsel's Office, first as Assistant General Counsel for Administrative Law and then as Deputy General Counsel. He oversaw the legal review of all FCC action items and played a key role in the FCC's implementation of major telecom legislation, including the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the 1993 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (which set the framework for regulation of the wireless industry), and the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992. In 1996, Mr. Solomon was awarded the FCC's highest honor - the Distinguished Service Award (Gold Medal).
Prior to joining the FCC, Mr. Solomon practiced communications and administrative law in a large Washington, D.C. law firm, where he focused on cellular radio and broadcast law. He also served for two years as a legislative assistant to a Member of Congress.
In welcoming Mr. Solomon to Wilkinson Barker, L. Andrew Tollin, managing partner of the firm, said, "We are delighted that David has chosen to join our firm. The extensive range of his knowledge and expertise will enhance Wilkinson Barker's ability to provide top-quality legal services to our clients. Given the government's increasing emphasis on the enforcement of communications regulations, David will no doubt play a major role in the firm's practice. It is an honor to welcome him as our partner."
Mr. Solomon commented, "I am excited to embark on this new phase in my career, and look forward to being part of Wilkinson Barker, whose talented and deep pool of lawyers will provide a terrific base for me to assist existing and new clients in addressing their regulatory and compliance issues."
Mr. Solomon received his A.B. degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard University. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School. He served as a Wasserstein Public Interest Fellow at Harvard Law School in 2003, and is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.
Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP is one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated to the practice of communications and technology law. The firm assists U.S. and foreign clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to small start-ups in regulatory, transactional and litigation matters involving all aspects of telecommunications and mass media.