With 40+ years of litigation experience, we help municipalities and residents secure fair agreements with telecommunications companies, advance responsible telecommunications infrastructure siting, and promote land-use practices that best serve communities nationwide.
How we help municipalities get siting decisions right.
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Examine claims concerning wireless coverage, wireless capacity, location, and necessity. Do not simply accept the applicant’s technical assertions.
We work with a team of highly qualified experts including, but not limited to, independent radiofrequency engineers, structural engineers, wildlife experts, water quality experts, and viewshed experts to evaluate technical claims, identify deficiencies, assess technologically feasible alternatives, and where appropriate, prepare expert reports.
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A well-reasoned, thoroughly documented written decision can make all the difference when a municipal decision is challenged. We help counsel identify the evidence and analysis to support the municipality’s decision.
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Wireless carriers and cell tower site developers threaten federal litigation when a municipality questions, modifies, or denies an application. Don’t capitulate to hollow threats.
In City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Abrams, 544 U.S. 113 (2005), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a wireless carrier cannot recover monetary damages or attorneys’ fees from a state or local government for a violation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“TCA”). Thus, even where a court ultimately determines that a state or local government violated the TCA by denying a requested wireless facility, the prevailing carrier is not entitled to an award of monetary damages or attorneys’ fees under the TCA. The worst that happens is that the court will order the municipality to issue the permit which it had perviously denied.
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Our goal is simple: ensure municipalities are fairly compensated for access to public assets, retain appropriate control over their property, and don’t give away more rights than they have to.
We help municipalities review, negotiate, and improve telecommunications leases, licenses, easements, and other agreements involving public property and wireless telecommunications infrastructure. We identify unfavorable terms, hidden costs, inadequate compensation, and rights that could unnecessarily limit the municipality in the future.
Before you sign, make sure you know what you’re giving up—and that you’re getting fair value in return!
Secure smart deals for your community.
