With over 35 years in the wireless telecommunications industry, Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.
Whether they are in the middle of a transaction with difficult regulatory issues, working with Congress on legislative drafting, or securing critical operational authority, clients value Russell’s accessibility and ability to find creative solutions. He works with major telecommunications providers, trade associations, equipment manufacturers, public safety organizations, and entrepreneurs proposing new products or services.
Before joining the firm, Russell was a partner and head of the telecommunications department in the Washington office of a major Chicago-based law firm, where he represented users and providers of telecommunications services and equipment. Previously, he was the executive director and president of the American SMR Network Association, Inc., where he established offices of a national trade association representing a segment of the wireless telecommunications industry.
Education
- Duke University (JD)
- University of Rochester (BA)
Experience
Transactions
- Represented T-Mobile before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its acquisition of radio spectrum covering operations in Montana and Wyoming. The approval was predicated on securing a waiver of the FCC’s rules because the previous holder of the spectrum licenses failed to construct the station as required, which would have otherwise caused cancellation of the licenses subject to the transfer request. Against heavy opposition, the FCC approved the transaction and waiver request.
- Represented Straight Path Communications, as it entered into a historic Consent Decree with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in its merger with Verizon Communications Inc. The Consent Decree permitted Straight Path to retain its most high-value FCC licenses in the face of an FCC investigation into potential rule violations. As a result of the Consent Decree, Straight Path was able to enter into an agreement with Verizon for $3.1 billion in value.
FCC Regulation
- Serve as primary outside counsel to Wi-Fi Alliance on FCC regulatory matters. Among the many successes Wi-Fi has enjoyed with our assistance is increased access to spectrum and the expected initiation of an important rulemaking proceeding that will allow the Wi-Fi industry access to even more spectrum that will support advanced technologies.
- Assisted Trimble Inc., a major manufacturer of GPS equipment, defend a threat by an entity that wished to propose a service in adjacent frequency spectrum that would have threatened the reception of GPS signals.
- Successfully negotiated a consent decree with the FCC under which Radwin, a manufacturer of advanced telecommunications equipment, was able to pay a modest forfeiture penalty and implement a compliance program. Radwin marketed equipment in the U.S. in a manner inconsistent with the FCC's rules.
- Assisted T-Mobile in its successful participation in an FCC auction of advanced wireless service spectrum.
- Successfully drafted new rules on which the FCC has sought comment on behalf of Radwin, a manufacturer of advanced telecommunications equipment that manufactures products constrained by FCC rules.
Recognition & Awards
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
- Best Lawyers in America: Communications Law (2019)
- Recommended by The Legal 500 United States for Telecom & Broadcast: Regulatory (2017 - 2018)
Involvement
- Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
- Fellow, Radio Club of America
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – October 2018
October 22, 2018|Article
TCPA Regulatory Update – FCC Seeks Comments on Several TCPA Provisions
October 22, 2018|Article
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – September 2018
September 20, 2018|Article
News & Press
The Legal 500 United States has recognized Mintz as a leading firm in the 2017 edition. The annual editorial guide has also recognized Mintz attorneys as leaders in their areas of practice.
Viewpoints
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – October 2018
October 22, 2018| Article
Read about recent TCPA cases and FCC comment periods on automatic telephone dialing systems, call blocking technologies, and a proposed emergency use exemption to the TCPA.
TCPA Regulatory Update – FCC Seeks Comments on Several TCPA Provisions
October 22, 2018| Article
Comments are due in a number of important TCPA proceedings in October. In response to a major decision out of the Ninth Circuit last month, which further entrenched a circuit split regarding interpretations of the definition of an automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”), the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on that definition. Additionally, the FCC is currently reviewing and evaluating comments on provider-initiated call blocking technologies and other technological solutions to the problem of unwanted and illegal robocalls. Finally, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on motor vehicle recalls and the emergency purposes exemption to the TCPA’s prior consent requirement. While no major orders addressing components of the TCPA have been released, it is clear that the FCC is teeing up possible revisions to its TCPA rules to reflect recent court decisions.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest – September 2018
September 20, 2018| Article
In this issue, we look at industry comments on the FCC’s report on robocalling and efforts to urge the agency to reconsider its reassigned numbers database proposal. In addition, we examine a recent circuit split on what constitutes an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) in the Third and Ninth Circuits and what that means for TCPA defendants. The split follows the D.C. Circuit’s May 2018 decision in ACA International v. Federal Communications Commission, which set aside the FCC’s “unreasonably expansive interpretation” of what constitutes an automatic telephone dialing system.
TCPA Regulatory Update: FCC Receives Feedback on its Robocalling Report and Reassigned Numbers Database Proposal
September 20, 2018| Article
It has been a quiet month for TCPA-related business at the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), with no major Commission releases addressing the TCPA. The Commission is busy reviewing comments on a number of Petitions on Public Notices, and comments on its Additional Call Blocking Methods Public Notice (reported in our August TCPA Update) are due later this month.
TCPA Regulatory Update: Reassigned Numbers Database Finds Bipartisan Support from Senators
August 13, 2018| Article
This issue provides insurance information for companies facing TCPA lawsuits and identifies the types of policies and provisions that may offer coverage. You will also find an update on the status of the proposed reassigned numbers database as well as information about a new FCC Public Notice, released August 10. Comments on the Public Notice are expected to lay the groundwork for the FCC’s next major action on call blocking and methods to eliminate illegal robocalls.
TCPA Regulatory Update: FCC Seeks Comment on Additional Call Blocking Methods
August 13, 2018| Article
This issue provides insurance information for companies facing TCPA lawsuits and identifies the types of policies and provisions that may offer coverage. You will also find an update on the status of the proposed reassigned numbers database as well as information about a new FCC Public Notice, released August 10. Comments on the Public Notice are expected to lay the groundwork for the FCC’s next major action on call blocking and methods to eliminate illegal robocalls.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest - August 2018
August 13, 2018| Article
This issue provides insurance information for companies facing TCPA lawsuits and identifies the types of policies and provisions that may offer coverage. You will also find an update on the status of the proposed reassigned numbers database as well as information about a new FCC Public Notice, released August 10. Comments on the Public Notice are expected to lay the groundwork for the FCC’s next major action on call blocking and methods to eliminate illegal robocalls.
TCPA Regulatory Update: Petitions on Public Notice
August 13, 2018| Article
This issue provides insurance information for companies facing TCPA lawsuits and identifies the types of policies and provisions that may offer coverage. You will also find an update on the status of the proposed reassigned numbers database as well as information about a new FCC Public Notice, released August 10. Comments on the Public Notice are expected to lay the groundwork for the FCC’s next major action on call blocking and methods to eliminate illegal robocalls.
TCPA & Consumer Calling Digest - July 2018
July 18, 2018| Article
This issue includes an update on activity at the FCC, specifically the agency’s progress in evaluating comments received in several ongoing TCPA proceedings. In addition, in our Class Action Update, we look at the current understanding of what constitutes an ATDS and why, in the wake of ACA International, it may be more difficult for plaintiffs to demonstrate that the companies they are suing used ATDS devices.
TCPA Regulatory Update: FCC Evaluates Comments Received in Several TCPA Proceedings
July 18, 2018| Article
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) is busy evaluating scores of comments and reply comments it received in several ongoing TCPA proceedings in the past month.
News & Press
The Legal 500 United States has recognized Mintz as a leading firm in the 2017 edition. The annual editorial guide has also recognized Mintz attorneys as leaders in their areas of practice.
Mintz Attorney Russell H. Fox to Speak at 2013 mHealth Summit
December 09, 2013
Events
Speaker
Speaker
Apr
13
2016
Speaker
Mar
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2016