HWG is one of the premier communications, information technology and litigation law firms in North America. The firm’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, investors, trade associations and individuals. As former government officials, federal prosecutors, and Congressional staff, HWG lawyers advise their clients on how decision makers think, how legal and political institutions work, and how those institutions affect a transaction or business plan.
HWG represents companies and individuals in commercial and civil litigation, government investigations, and white collar criminal cases before federal and state courts, arbitration panels and administrative tribunals. The firm’s trial practice handles all stages of litigation, administrative actions, arbitration, and internal investigations. HWG’s appellate practice briefs and argues a variety of cases, including matters before the U.S. Supreme Court involving antitrust, communications law, employee benefits, torts and criminal law issues.
Notable recent and current matters include obtaining a unanimous jury verdict and an award of attorneys’ fees in federal district court on behalf of an international entertainment company; victories in AAA and JAMS arbitrations involving multi-million dollar contract disputes; successfully obtaining dismissal of and vacating a judgment against a foreign sovereign; representing a US State in pursuing civil claims for professional malpractice; representing government contractors in litigation arising out of contract and procurement matters and in criminal cases; obtaining a favorable resolution for a major foreign vehicle manufacturer in a civil dispute; successfully defending foreign executives accused of tax, antitrust and bribery crimes by the US; and representing communications companies in FCC enforcement actions and investigations.
HWG’s renowned international trade, investment and national security practice represents telecommunications, technology and defense businesses on issues including foreign direct investment, export controls, and cross-border infrastructure and services transactions. HWG counsels and represents clients in obtaining investment clearances from CFIUS; negotiating network security agreements with the “Team Telecom” agencies; compliance with US wiretapping and surveillance laws; obtaining licenses and compliance with US economic sanctions and export controls; and compliance with Defense Security Service industrial security rules. HWG represents companies before the US Trade Representative and Department of State in World Trade Organization and International Telecommunication Union matters, market access and investor-state disputes, and bilateral and regional trade negotiations. HWG represents companies in public international law matters, particularly on jurisdictional disputes among sovereign states and the Law of the Sea, especially on undersea cables and satellite services.
HWG’s top-tier Communications practice involves representation of international, mid-sized, and small technology, internet, and communications companies before the Federal Communications Commission and other government agencies. HWG’s transactional communications practice includes advising and representing businesses in connection with FCC approval of mergers and acquisitions, and the transfers of wireline, wireless, and satellite licenses. HWG also guides its clients through the legal issues and opportunities arising from infrastructure deployment, including negotiating spectrum leases, pole attachment agreements, subsea and terrestrial fiber IRUs and leases, and other commercial agreements.
