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Matt DelNero is co-chair of Covington’s Communications and Media Industry Group and co-chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion initiative. He rejoined Covington in January 2017 after serving as Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Mr. DelNero represents companies and investors in the telecommunications, technology and media sectors before the FCC and other state and federal agencies. A significant part of his practice involves structuring and securing regulatory approvals for media and telecommunications transactions—including mergers and acquisitions, financings, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions.
Mr. DelNero also advises clients on the full range of issues impacting telecommunications and media providers today, including:
- Spectrum policy and auctions, including for 5G
- Universal Service Fund (USF) programs, including the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunities Fund (RDOF)
- Equipment authorizations for IoT and other devices
- Broadband deployment, funding, and regulation
- Video programming distribution and regulation
- Foreign investment in broadcasters and telecom providers
- Privacy and data protection
As an FCC Bureau Chief, Mr. DelNero led a team of over 170 attorneys, economists, and other professionals in developing and executing policies to promote the deployment and adoption of broadband and other communications services throughout the United States. He also played a leading role in developing rules to govern the privacy and data security practices of telecommunications providers.
- Advises private equity investors in structuring multi-billion dollar acquisitions of large fiber networks and other telecommunications infrastructure, and in obtaining necessary federal, state, and local regulatory approvals for these transactions.
- Lead counsel to a coalition of national programming networks in the FCC’s proceeding to determine the future of “C-band” spectrum.
- Represents Univision Communications Inc., the leading Hispanic media company in the U.S., in strategic, policy, and regulatory matters.
- Serve as pro bono counsel to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, veterans petitioning for discharge upgrades (including discharges under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and predecessor policies), and non-profit arts organizations.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA)
- Elected Member, Executive Committee (2019-present)
- Elected Member, Nominations Committee (2016-2018)
- Co-Chair, Internet of Things Committee (2017-2018)
- Co-Chair, Wireless Committee (2011-2013)
- Co-Chair, Mass Media Committee (2010-2011)
Previous Experience
- Federal Communications Commission, Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau
- Federal Communications Commission, Deputy Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau
July 14, 2020
LOS ANGELES—Variety has named Covington partners Matthew DelNero, Mitch Kamin, Robyn Polashuk, and Neema Sahni to its 2020 Legal Impact Report. Variety notes that “these legal eagles made massive deals and litigated thorny disputes for entertainment industry clients, studios and networks.” In its feature, Variety notes Covington as a “go-to for TV programmers,” ...
April 22, 2020
WASHINGTON—Covington represented satellite provider Ligado Networks in its successful application for rights to deploy 5G services over its mid-band spectrum. On April 22, the full Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a unanimous decision approving Ligado’s application, finding that it will advance economic and security interests nationwide. The ...
April 8, 2020, Covington Alert
On Saturday, April 4, 2020, the White House released the long-awaited Executive Order (“EO”) formalizing the “Team Telecom” Process, titled the “Executive Order on Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector” (“the Committee”). This EO provides, for the first time, formal ...
March 26, 2020, Covington Alert
Due to the ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has issued guidance for broadcasters regarding the clarification or relaxation of certain rules, including recent guidance on calculation of lowest unit charge and on local sharing agreements. These actions are intended to help stations respond ...
February 25, 2020
WASHINGTON—Covington represented Univision Holdings, Inc. in its definitive agreement to sell a majority ownership interest to private investment firms Searchlight Capital Partners, LP and ForgeLight LLC. Under the terms of the acquisition, Searchlight and ForgeLight will purchase a 64 percent interest from Univision stockholders while Televisa, a leading media ...
January 7, 2020, Covington Alert
In late December, Congress passed and the President signed into law the TRACED Act, which is aimed at curbing unwanted robocalls. The new law also directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise certain rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to accomplish this objective, but those revisions are not expected to change typical TCPA ...
August 7, 2019
WASHINGTON—Covington’s Government Contracts and Communications regulatory practices are representing Communications & Power Industries LLC (CPI) in its recently announced deal to acquire SATCOM Technologies, the antenna systems business of General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., a business unit of General Dynamics. SATCOM Technologies designs, manufactures and ...
May 16, 2019, Covington Alert
We are writing to provide an update on two important developments in U.S. national security-based regulation of trade: (1) a new, potentially expansive Executive Order on information and communications technology supply into the U.S. market, and (2) the Department of Commerce’s action to add Huawei to the Entity List.
2019, American Bar Association
Our cross-disciplinary Internet of Things initiative contributed to the ABA's first book on IoT, The Internet of Things: Legal Issues, Policy, & Practical Strategies. Laura Kim and Jennifer Johnson authored the chapter “U.S. Regulatory Framework for IoT,” with contributions from Sarah Wilson (product safety); Wade Ackerman, Elizabeth Guo, Christopher Hanson, ...
Covington's Net Neutrality and Zero-Rating Webinar
November 20, 2017, Webinar
November 1, 2017
WASHINGTON—Covington represented CenturyLink in its acquisition of Level 3 Communications in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $34 billion. The acquisition closed today. The firm assisted Century Link in obtaining regulatory approvals by the Federal Communications Commission and state public utilities regulators, and in national security ...
May 1, 2017, Covington Alert
In a widely anticipated step, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has released the text of a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) proposing to change the legal framework that governs broadband providers, eliminate the “Internet conduct standard” for evaluating broadband provider practices on a case-by-case basis, and seek comment on whether to keep, modify, or ...
Former Senior Official At FCC Rejoins Covington
February 1, 2017, Law360
Matt DelNero and Yaron Dori are quoted in a Law360 article regarding DelNero’s return to Covington as a partner in its Communications and Media Practice Group where he will oversee a diverse portfolio of telecom issues, including broadband expansion, privacy, data security and merger activity, bringing to the practice a new appreciation for the policy process ...
DelNero Returns to Covington
February 1, 2017, Broadcasting & Cable
Matt DelNero is quoted in a Broadcasting & Cable article regarding his return to Covington’s Communications and Media practice. According to DelNero, “I look forward to handling a diverse array of issues for clients in the content, telecommunications, and technology sectors and to helping develop the firm’s Media & Communications practice into the future.”
Senior FCC Official Rejoins Covington
February 1, 2017
WASHINGTON—Matthew S. DelNero has rejoined Covington as a partner in its Communications and Media Practice Group in Washington. Mr. DelNero most recently served as Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau. Mr. DelNero was a Covington partner from 2011 until January 2014, when he became Deputy Chief of the Wireline Competition ...
7 Telecom Officials Attorneys Need To Know
June 10, 2015, Law360
Matt DelNero was profiled by Law360 as a telecom official to know. Prior to rejoining Covington, DelNero served a Bureau Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau.
November 18, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, November 18, 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission has unanimously approved a request by the Coalition for Broadcast Investment to relax a long-standing cap on foreign investment in broadcast companies. Covington & Burling represented the coalition in a two-year effort to secure greater opportunities for foreign investment in broadcasting ...
July 1, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, July 1, 2013 — Covington & Burling is serving as communications counsel to Tribune Company in its agreement to acquire Local TV Holdings, LLC, for $2.725 billion in cash. The acquisition includes all of Local TV’s 19 television stations in 16 key markets. Under the deal, Tribune will become the country’s largest commercial TV station owner, ...
June 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, June 11, 2012 — Chambers USA recognized 106 individual Covington & Burling lawyers and 46 Covington practice areas in the 2012 Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guidebook released on June 7, 2012. Many of the 106 Covington lawyers ranked by Chambers USA were recognized in multiple categories, resulting in a total of 131 ...
Covington Promotes 10 Lawyers to Partnership
October 3, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, October 3, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP announced today that 10 of its lawyers have been elected to the firm’s partnership effective October 1. This group is comprised of diverse and talented individuals who have made their mark at Covington through exceptional work and the highest standards of client service. “We’re delighted to welcome these ...
9/23/08
WASHINGTON, DC, September 23, 2008 — GHL Acquisition Corp. today announced plans to acquire Iridium Holdings LLC in a transaction valued at approximately $591 million. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined enterprise will be renamed Iridium Communications Inc. and apply for listing on the NASDAQ. Covington & Burling LLP served as special ...
7/18/2008
WASHINGTON, DC, July 18, 2008 — The Washington Post Company has reached an agreement with NBC to acquire WTVJ, the NBC owned and operated television station in Miami, Florida. Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., a Washington Post Company subsidiary, will continue to operate WTVJ as an NBC affiliate. Covington & Burling LLP advised The Washington Post Company on the ...
11/14/2007
WASHINGTON, DC, November 14, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP represented legendary comic book artist Jerry Robinson in arranging a creative consultancy agreement with DC Comics, the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. Mr. Robinson was a key contributor during the early years of the Batman comic book series, and played a vital role in the ...
January 10, 2007
Covington & Burling LLP recently advised The New York Times Company on the sale of its broadcast media group. For more information, please click here.
- Variety, "2020 Legal Impact Report"
- Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers, Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (2012-2013; 2019)
- Legal 500 US, Technology: Data Protection and Privacy; Telecoms and Broadcast: Regulatory and Transactional (2012-2013)
- Washington DC Super Lawyers, "Rising Star" (2013-2014)
- ASCAP/Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition, National First Prize (2003)