Carl W. Northrop

Founding Member

Carl Northrop is the Founding Member of TLP. He consistently is recognized in client and peer reviews as one of the top communications attorneys in the country. Chambers USA identifies him as a “Notable Practitioner” in the Telecom, Media and Satellite specialty; The Legal 500 has identified Carl as a “Leading Lawyer” in the Technology and Broadcasting Regulatory practice for over a decade, and he was one of a small group of attorneys inducted into the inaugural Legal 500 US Hall of Fame for having received consistent praise for legal excellence. Carl has been recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in both corporate law and communications law by U.S News and World Report. He received the prestigious Paul R. Dean award for legal excellence awarded by the Georgetown University Law Center to a distinguished alumnus. And, for over 25 years, Carl has received the AV Preeminent rating in Martindale-Hubbell peer reviews.

Carl represents communications service providers and advises suppliers of goods and services to the telecommunications industry including financiers, tower and site owners, manufacturers, billing and support service providers, and developers of advanced technologies. He also counsels purchasers in major contracts for communications services, and has acted both as an arbitrator and as an expert witness in various disputes arising out of communications contracts. Ever since the advent of cellular service in the 1980s, Carl has represented clients in the acquisition, development, financing, licensing, construction, and operation of both wireless and terrestrial broadband systems. He also has advised governmental entities on communications policy issues.

Carl is an experienced litigator who handles high stakes telecommunications disputes before courts, administrative agencies, arbitrators and mediators. He also is a skillful negotiator with a sophisticated understanding of the communications business which enables him to craft creative contractual arrangements to the benefit of TLP clients.

Education

Georgetown University, J.D. 1976; Editor, Georgetown Law Journal (1975-76); Best Brief and Best Oral Advocate Awards in the Beaudry Cup Moot Court Competition (1974)

University of Michigan, B.B.A., High Distinction, 1972

Prior Experience

Partner, Paul Hastings LLP 1997-2011; Co-Leader Global Media and Telecommunications Practice Group.

Partner, Bryan Cave LLP 1987-1997; Communications Group Leader; Executive Committee Member

Fun Fact

Carl was the lead singer and rhythm guitar player of a high school band called The Foreshadows. He now sings with an adult chorus called Encore Rocks.

Practice Admissions

District of Columbia Bar
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
U.S. Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Ninth and Tenth Circuits
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and the District of Columbia
Supreme Court of the United States

Recent, Representative Matters

Advice to communications companies and governmental entities on the broadband funding initiatives in the recent bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.
Representation of successful applicants in FCC auctions of broadband wireless spectrum including counseling on business structures that qualify for bidding credits under the FCC program for designated entities.
Litigation counsel in multiple contract disputes against major carriers which resulted in successful outcomes for the clients.
Drafting model master antenna site agreements and negotiating turnkey small cell deployment and management agreements for a multi-billion dollar infrastructure company.
Negotiation of all network infrastructure equipment, handset, antenna site and customer service contracts for a nationwide wireless system licensee in Africa.
Corporate and communications counsel for multiple clients in the purchase, sale or leasing of spectrum including advice relating to securing the approval of Team Telecom and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for transactions involving foreign owners.
Representation of FCC licensees in the identification and abatement of harmful interference being experienced to ongoing operations.
Successful advocate for an incumbent licensee seeking to restructure its license holdings to reflect technological changes.

Awards & Distinctions

2023: The Legal 500 Recommended Attorney – Regulatory

2013 - 2022: Legal 500 Leading Individual - Transactional

2013 - 2022: Legal 500 Leading Individual - Regulatory

Chambers 2013-2023