Wiley Rein & Fielding Expands Media Practice with the Addition of a Prominent Communications Group

Washington, DC-Wiley Rein & Fielding is pleased to announce a major expansion of its preeminent Communications Practice with the addition of an outstanding team of professionals.  On September 1, Henry M. Rivera, Mark N. Lipp, Edgar Class and Scott W. Woodworth will join the 80 attorneys who comprise what is widely-recognized as the largest and most diverse communications law practice in the United States.  The group comes to WRF from the Washington, DC office of Vinson & Elkins LLP, bringing extensive regulatory experience and a broad portfolio representing telecommunications and media companies.  Earlier this year, Chambers and Partners recognized this four-person team-led by former Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Rivera-as one of the region's best.  

"We are delighted to welcome such an exceptional cadre of attorneys to the firm," commented Managing Partner Richard E. Wiley.  "We have had the pleasure of working with them for years, and consider them friends as well as colleagues.  Their considerable talents and experience fit wonderfully with our existing capabilities and personnel."

Henry Rivera, who joins as a partner, is an internationally recognized expert, author, speaker and conference leader in the communications field.  A former FCC Commissioner (1981-1985) and President of the Federal Communications Bar Association (1995-1996), he represents a wide variety of clients before the FCC,   Congress, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the White House.  He was recently named in Guide to the US Leading Lawyers-Best of the Best as one of the top 12 telecom experts in the US and to The Best Lawyers in America in communications law (2007).  Rivera received his J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law where he served as editor of the law review The Natural Resources Journal.

Mark Lipp, who also joins as a partner, brings to WRF a wealth of experience advising owners and operators of television and radio stations on FCC licensing rules and regulations during the past 20 years.  He is well known for his work in assisting both large and small radio station owners throughout the country in improving their stations' coverage and value.  Lipp previously served as the Chief of the Allocations Branch of the FCC (1980-1988).  He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Baltimore Law School.

Edgar Class, a former FCC attorney, joins as counsel.  Class provides regulatory, business and transactional advice on matters before the FCC, the NTIA and Congress.  He received his J.D., cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law, where he was the Note and Comment Editor of the Administrative Law Journal.

Scott Woodworth, who will be an associate, focuses primarily on media issues, representing clients before the FCC and other agencies.  He received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.