Sean Stokes represents clients nationally on a wide range of communications matters including broadband, cable television, wireless communications, right-of-way management, pole attachments, barriers to community broadband initiatives, and public-private partnerships. He counsels clients in developing and negotiating agreements involving access to poles, ducts, conduits, dark fiber, and towers. He has represented municipal utilities and local governments in complex negotiations developing city-wide fiber-to-the-home networks and wireless small cell siting agreements.
Sean has advised clients in numerous cases involving complex factual, legal, and policy issues, multiple parties, and large amounts in controversy. His clients include national and state utility associations, municipal leagues, and numerous public and private entities throughout the U.S. He collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams of legal, financial, engineering, and other technical experts, assisting clients in making comprehensive telecommunications and broadband plans.
Sean has authored numerous industry publications and is the principal author of an extensive guidebook and a model pole attachment agreement for the American Public Power Association, which assists approximately 2,000 public power utilities. He is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences and has recently presented on topics such as community broadband, small cell, and pole attachments.
Sean’s extensive career experience includes counseling clients at a boutique Washington, DC telecommunications law firm, as well as Associate General Counsel for the Utilities Telecommunications Council (UTC), where he helped develop and implement the legislative and regulatory strategy of the nation’s electric, gas and water utilities regarding the adoption and implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
More Legal and Business Bylines From Sean Stokes
- Telecom Alert:FCC Adjusts Applications Fees; Form 477 Collections Ends; EAS Test Performance Filings Due; RDOF Support [Vol. XIX, Issue 51] - (Posted On Monday, December 19, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: WV Abandoned Pole Rules; Broadband Data Maps Released; 900 MHz Applications Granted; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 47] - (Posted On Monday, November 21, 2022)
- Telecom Alert:Fine for Violating Transactional Rules; NTIA Workforce Planning Guide; Tribal E-Rate Pilot Program; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 43] - (Posted On Tuesday, October 25, 2022)
- Overview of the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection Bulk Fabric Challenge Process - (Posted On Friday, September 30, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: EAS NPRM; Broadband Data Collection Challenge Process Open; High-Cost Certification Deadline Extended; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 37] - (Posted On Tuesday, September 13, 2022)
- Telecom Alert:Groups Urge FCC to Decertify 6 GHz Devices; 4.9 GHz Framework Proposal; Tribal Broadband Grants; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 35] - (Posted On Monday, August 29, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: EAS Participants Urged to Secure Equipment; $1 Billion in ReConnect Funding; Noncompliant Devices Forfeiture; FCC, NTIA MOU [Vol. XIX, Issue 32] - (Posted On Monday, August 08, 2022)
- Overview of the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection Resources - (Posted On Monday, July 18, 2022)
- The Who, What, When, and Where of the FCC’s New Broadband Data Collection - (Posted On Wednesday, June 01, 2022)
- The FCC’s New Broadband Data Collection is About to Launch - (Posted On Wednesday, May 04, 2022)
The National Law Review selected the Telecommunications Practice Group at Keller and Heckman as a Go-To Thought Leader for 2021 for its coverage of legislation and regulation involving the telecommunications industry. Of particular note is its frequent updates on telecommunications policy and regulations through its Telecom Alert, which breaks down the latest news affecting the industry. Keller and Heckman authors who contribute regularly to the Telecom Alerts include Jaimy “Sindy” Alarcon, James Baller, Jason P. Chun, Timothy A. Doughty, Michael T. N. Fitch, C. Douglas Jarrett, Gregory E. Kunkle, Casey Lide, Thomas B. Magee, Tracy P. Marshall, Kathleen Slattery Thompson, Sean A. Stokes and Wesley K. Wright.