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- Home
- Professionals
- Jennifer A. Johnson
Jennifer Johnson is a partner specializing in communications, media and technology matters who serves as co-chair of Covington’s global and multi-disciplinary Internet of Things (IoT) Initiative. She represents and advises content distributors, broadcast companies, trade associations, and other media and technology entities on a wide range of issues. Ms. Johnson has more than two decades of experience advising clients in the communications, media and technology sectors, and has served as a co-chair for these practices for more than 15 years. On IoT issues, she collaborates with Covington's global, multi-disciplinary team to assist companies navigating the complex statutory and regulatory constructs surrounding this evolving area, including legal issues with respect to connected and autonomous vehicles, internet connected devices, smart ecosystems, and other IoT products and services.
Ms. Johnson assists clients in developing and pursuing strategic business and policy objectives before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress and through transactions and other business arrangements. She regularly advises clients on FCC regulatory matters and advocates frequently before the FCC. Ms. Johnson has extensive experience negotiating content acquisition and distribution agreements for media and technology companies, including program distribution agreements with cable, satellite, and telco companies, network affiliation and other program rights agreements for television companies, and agreements providing for the aggregation and distribution of content on over-the-top app-based platforms. She also assists investment clients in structuring, evaluating, and pursuing potential investments in media and technology companies.
- Representing media companies and private equity firms in the acquisition and sale of broadcast stations and media companies, including several multi-billion dollar television mergers.
- Representing media and technology companies and industry associations on key legislative, FCC and industry issues, including spectrum allocation, media ownership, retransmission consent, and other issues.
- Advising on and negotiating affiliation and related agreements with all of the major television networks, as well as other network and content acquisition agreements with other program suppliers.
- Representing television stations and other content providers in negotiating content rights and carriage agreements for traditional and digital distribution, including distribution by major cable, satellite, telco and OTT distributors and platforms.
- Advising media and technology companies on legal issues and developments pertaining to the Internet of Things, including regulations impacting connected and automated vehicles, smart devices and other internet connected technologies.
Pro Bono
- Tougaloo College
- Tahirih Justice Center
- Public Interest Law Institute
Memberships and Affiliations
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Federal Communications Bar Association
- Former Division Chair, ABA Forum on Communications Law
Top Telecom Developments To Watch In 2021
January 3, 2021, Law360
Jennifer Johnson spoke with Law360 about the FCC’s spectrum sharing decision. Ms. Johnson says spectrum reorganization efforts are a prime area for cooperation in an evenly split FCC. “The expectation going forward under a Biden administration would be that there would be more coordination, and we'd be less likely to see those interagency disputes. There's ...
December 23, 2020, Inside Tech Media
Connected and automated vehicle (“CAV”) developments in Washington are likely to pick up speed as 2021 rolls in. Indeed, a new presidential administration, new agency leadership, and a new Congress may drive new CAV regulation while also spurring innovation in an industry that many believe can enhance road safety, mobility, and accessibility. For instance, John ...
December 7, 2020, Inside Tech Media
On Friday, December 4, 2020, President Trump signed the bipartisan Internet of Things (“IoT”) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 into law. The IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act empowers the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) to create cybersecurity standards for internet-connected devices purchased and used by federal agencies. For more ...
November 25, 2020, Inside Tech Media
The bipartisan Internet of Things (“IoT”) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 (S. 734, H.R. 1668) has passed the House and the Senate and is headed to the President’s desk for signature. The bill was sponsored in the House by Representatives Hurd (R-TX) and Kelly (D-IL), and in the Senate by Senators Warner (D-VA) and Gardner...… Continue Reading
November 12, 2020, Covington Alert
The election of Joe Biden as President will influence virtually all areas of U.S. policy, including at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We previously previewed (here and here) key aspects of communications policy that would be affected by the presidential election and what a Democratic-led FCC would mean for each. To advance its communications policy ...
October 20, 2020, Covington Alert
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency, but its agenda is controlled by its Chairman, who along with any new Commissioners, is appointed by the President. The November 3rd election therefore will have a substantial effect on the FCC’s policies for the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors in 2021 and beyond. This alert ...
October 6, 2020, Inside Tech Media
In this edition of our regular roundup on legislative initiatives related to artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), and connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), we focus on key developments in the European Union (EU). There has been some policy activity in the U.S. this quarter, including the re-introduction of the SELF-DRIVE ...
August 24, 2020, Inside Tech Media
On five consecutive Wednesdays beginning on September 2nd, the ABA will hold its 5th Annual IoT Institute, together with a session called Data, Data Everywhere, and Not a Chance to Think, addressing the intersection of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Covington was scheduled to host the IoT Institute in our Washington,...… Continue ...
July 17, 2020, Inside Tech Media
In this update, we detail the key legislative updates in the second quarter of 2020 related to artificial intelligence (“AI”), the Internet of Things (“IoT”), cybersecurity as it relates to AI and IoT, and connected and automated vehicles (“CAVs”). The volume of legislation on these topics has slowed but not ceased, as lawmakers increasingly focus...… Continue ...
July 15, 2020, Covington Alert
In this update, we detail the key legislative updates in the second quarter of 2020 related to artificial intelligence (“AI”), the Internet of Things (“IoT”), cybersecurity as it relates to AI and IoT, and connected and autonomous vehicles (“CAVs”). The volume of legislation on these topics has slowed but not ceased, as lawmakers increasingly focus on the ...
June 26, 2020, Covington Alert
On June 15, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced the launch of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (“NHTSA”) Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (“AV TEST”) Initiative, a voluntary data-sharing initiative intended to improve safety, testing, and transparency of automated vehicle (“AV”) ...
June 24, 2020, Inside Tech Media
Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) asked for comment on a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Consumer Technology Association (“CTA”) that proposes to modify the FCC’s device authorization rules to allow the importation and conditional, preauthorization marketing and sales of radiofrequency (“RF”) devices that have not yet been ...
June 11, 2020, Inside Tech Media
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the digital transition and the adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools and Internet of Things (“IoT”) devices in many areas of society. While there has been significant focus on leveraging this technology to fight the pandemic, the technology also will have broader and longer-term benefits. As the New York Times...… ...
June 10, 2020, Covington Alert
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the digital transition and the adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools and Internet of Things (“IoT”) devices in many areas of society. While there has been significant focus on leveraging this technology to fight the pandemic, the technology also will have broader and longer-term benefits. As the New York Times has ...
May 30, 2020, Inside Tech Media
The COVID-19 pandemic has created both speed bumps and accelerants for connected and automated vehicle (“CAV”) developments in the United States. In our Quarterly Update earlier this month, we covered recent legislative and regulatory activity around CAVs, both specifically targeted efforts and those impacting AI and IoT technologies generally. Although some ...
May 20, 2020, Inside Tech Media
Yesterday, with vocal support from fellow Commissioner Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a draft Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“DR” and “NPRM”) to promote the use of broadcast spectrum for internet services (referred to by the FCC as “Broadcast Internet”). The full, five-member Commission will vote on adoption of the DR...… ...
May 12, 2020, Inside Tech Media
Though it seems like the distant past now, in this update we detail the notable legislative events from the first quarter of 2020 on artificial intelligence (“AI”), the Internet of Things (“IoT”), cybersecurity as it relates to AI and IoT, and connected and autonomous vehicles (“CAVs”). Prior to the slowdown in non-COVID related legislation that...… Continue ...
May 7, 2020, Covington Alert
Though it seems like the distant past now, in this update we detail the notable legislative events from the first quarter of 2020 on artificial intelligence (“AI”), the Internet of Things (“IoT”), cybersecurity as it relates to AI and IoT, and connected and autonomous vehicles (“CAVs”). Prior to the slowdown in non-COVID related legislation that accompanied the ...
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 24, 2020, Inside Tech Media
U.S. federal policymakers continued to focus on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) in the fourth quarter of 2019, including by introducing substantive bills that would regulate the use of such technology and by supporting bills aimed at further study of how such technology may impact different sectors. In our fourth AI...… Continue ...
January 24, 2020, Covington Alert
U.S. federal policymakers continued to focus on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) in the fourth quarter of 2019, including by introducing substantive bills that would regulate the use of such technology and by supporting bills aimed at further study of how such technology may impact different sectors. In our fourth AI & IoT ...
December 4, 2019, Inside Tech Media
With all the current excitement around emerging high-tech autonomous vehicles and internet of things (IoT) devices, it may surprise some observers that around 20 years ago the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), at Congress’s direction, was already taking some important steps with respect to these technologies. Most notably, the FCC set aside the 5.9 GHz ...
October 22, 2019, Inside Tech Media
Federal policymakers continued to focus on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) in the third quarter of 2019, including by introducing substantive bills that would regulate the use of such technology and by supporting bills aimed at further study of how such technology may impact different sectors. In our third AI &...… Continue ...
October 21, 2019, Covington Alert
Federal policymakers continued to focus on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) in the second quarter of 2019, including by introducing substantive bills that would regulate the use of such technology and by supporting bills aimed at further study of how such technology may impact different sectors. In our third AI & IoT Quarterly ...
July 18, 2019, Inside Tech Media
Federal and state policymakers continued to focus on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) in the second quarter of 2019, including by introducing both substantive measures that would regulate the use of the technology and by supporting funding bills aimed at increasing investment. In our second AI & IoT Quarterly Legislative ...
May 1, 2019, Inside Tech Media
Federal and state policymakers introduced a range of new measures on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) in the first quarter of 2019. In our initial AI & IoT Quarterly Legislative Update, we detail the notable legislative events from this quarter on AI, IoT, cybersecurity as it relates to AI and IoT,...… Continue Reading
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, ...
May 31, 2016
WASHINGTON—Covington advised Graham Media Group in its definitive agreement to purchase WCWJ, the CW affiliate serving Jacksonville, FL and WSLS-TV, the NBC affiliate serving Roanoke and Lynchburg, VA, from Nexstar Broadcasting Group and Media General. The Covington team included corporate partners Paul Rogers and Michael Cutler, with associate Adina Lord. ...
June 9, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, June 9, 2015 — Euromoney Legal Media Group selected Covington partners Dianne Coffino and Andrea Reister for its annual Americas Women in Business Law Awards. The awards honor women who are leading the field in the legal sector across the Americas. Ms. Coffino, a partner in the firm’s New York office, was recognized in the “Best in Insolvency ...
August 18, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...
August 1, 2014
REDWOOD SHORES, CA, August 1, 2014 — Robyn Polashuk has joined Covington & Burling as a partner in the firm’s communications and media practice, focusing on video content distribution. Ms. Polashuk’s practice focuses on the licensing and distribution of video content across a variety of platforms and business models - from cable, satellite and IPTV to broadband ...
June 9, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, June 9, 2014 — Catherine Dargan, co-chair of Covington & Burling’s mergers and acquisitions practice, was named as “Best in Mergers & Acquisitions” by Euromoney Legal Media Group at its Americas Women in Business Law Awards ceremony in New York on June 5. The awards honor firms that set “the standard in terms of female-friendly work practices” ...
April 23, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, April 23, 2014 — Euromoney Legal Media Group has named Covington & Burling and six of its partners to shortlists for the Americas Women in Business Law Awards. The firm was shortlisted in four categories: Best Firm in the U.S. Northeast Region, Best Firm in the U.S. West Region, Best International Law Firm Latin America Practice and Best ...
December 23, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, December 23, 2013 — Covington & Burling represented Gannett Co., Inc. in obtaining Federal Communications Commission approval of its acquisition of Belo Corp. Completed today, the $2.2 billion transaction nearly doubles the broadcast television portfolio of Gannett. The Covington team was led by Jennifer Johnson with assistance from Kurt ...
November 21, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, November 21, 2013 — Washingtonian magazine has named 34 Covington & Burling attorneys as “Best Lawyers” in its December issue. The biennial list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the hundreds of “Best Lawyers” identified in the issue, Washingtonian spotlights 14 leading Washington ...
Covington Advises Gannett in $2.2 Billion Deal with Belo
7/3/2013
WASHINGTON, DC, July 2, 2013 — Gannett Co., Inc. and Belo Corp. announced on June 13 that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement in which Gannett will acquire all outstanding shares of Belo for $13.75 per share in cash, or approximately $1.5 billion, and assume $715 million of Belo’s existing debt. Covington & Burling advised Gannett, the ...
August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...
Covington Advises NFL on Major Network TV Deal
December 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, December 15, 2011 — Covington advised the National Football League in negotiating nine-year extensions of its Sunday broadcast television packages with CBS, FOX and NBC networks. The NFL owners voted to approve the package of TV deals with FOX, CBS and NBC on Wednesday. The new agreements, announced yesterday, run through the 2022 season, and ...
November 30, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2011 — Washingtonian magazine has named 34 Covington & Burling attorneys as “Best Lawyers” in its December issue. The biennial list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the approximately 800 “Best Lawyers” identified in the issue, Washingtonian included profiles of 31 ...
September 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...
June 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 9, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 92 individual mentions and 32 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2011 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 17, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, May 17, 2011 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 55 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2011 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza has been named among the “Top 50 Women,” and Robert Long ...
August 6, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
June 23, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 85 individual mentions and 23 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2010 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 16, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
March 18, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, March 18, 2010 — Forty-five Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2010 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, partners Deborah Garza and Robert Long have ...
Washingtonian Names 25 Covington Attorneys ‘Top Lawyers’
11/23/2009
WASHINGTON, DC, November 23, 2009 — Twenty-five Covington & Burling LLP attorneys are recognized as “Top Lawyers” in the December issue of Washingtonian magazine. The list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the “Top Lawyers,” Washingtonian identified 30 as “stars of the bar.” Among them is Michael ...
August 7, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
June 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 100 individual mentions and 40 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2009. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
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 ...
June 16, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 81 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in the newly released 2008 Chambers USA. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington ...
11/30/2007
WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2007 — Nineteen Covington & Burling LLP attorneys are recognized as “Top Lawyers” in the December 2007 issue of Washingtonian magazine. The list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff based on peer recommendations, identifies leading lawyers in the Greater Washington area. Of the “Top Lawyers,” Washingtonian identified 30 as the ...
9/18/2007
WASHINGTON, DC, September 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP advised the CBS Television Network Affiliates Association in a deal with CBS Interactive to stream network video content on up to 200 local station websites. Pursuant to this new arrangement, affiliates will be able to provide access to a range of CBS entertainment, sports and news content via a video ...
June 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 44 practice mentions and 74 individual mentions in the newly released 2007 Chambers USA guidebook. The 2007 edition of Chambers USA attempts to identify the most skilled legal practitioners throughout the country based on the qualities most valued by clients. Covington attorneys have been ...
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.
11/15/2006
WASHINGTON, DC, November 15, 2006 — An affiliate of Diamond Castle Holdings LLC announced the acquisition of BlueStone Television LLC for $230 million. Covington represented and advised Diamond Castle with respect to the FCC and broadcast industry aspects of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2007. Diamond Castle is a New York based ...
- The Best Lawyers in America, “Lawyer of the Year” - Washington DC Administrative/Regulatory Law (2014)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Administrative/Regulatory Law (2010-2020); Communications Law (2014-2020)
- Chambers USA, Media & Entertainment (2016-2018) and Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (2007-2019)
- Washington DC Super Lawyers, "Top 50 Women in Law" (2015); Media & Advertising (2009-2011, 2013-2020); Communications (2014-2020)
- Who’s Who Legal, Data (2017-2020)
- Law360, Media & Entertainment Group of the Year (2012, 2014, 2019)
The Journey to Developing Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Bringing advanced connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) to market requires navigating a complex series of commercial, legal, and regulatory challenges.