PRACTICE AREAS > TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW & UTILITY FRANCHISING
Telecommunications has become one of the most important municipal law issues, with the adoption of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and related regulatory changes from the Federal Communications Commission and the Oregon Legislature.
Pamela Beery is a recognized expert in telecommunications law and utility franchising. She has been retained as special counsel to local governments and has represented the Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (a coalition of 13 local governments in Washington County, including Washington County itself) and a number of cities in franchise administration, cellular facility siting, and renewal negotiations with cable providers.
Pam was appointed by Governor Kitzhaber to a statewide Task Force, which reported to the 2001 Legislature, and recently she successfully represented a group of cities in landmark litigation filed in federal court by Qwest Corporation. She was appointed by FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell to the Federal Communication Commission's Local and State Government Advisory Committee (LSGAC), a national committee comprised of elected and appointed officials of municipal, county, state and tribal governments. It provided advice to the FCC on key issues relevant to local and state government in the area of telecommunications law and policy.
Nancy Werner advises BEH clients in telecommunications law matters including FCC regulatory matters, franchising, and right of way management. She was the co-chair of a statewide audit by cities in Oregon of telecommunications franchise fees, and she serves on the League of Oregon Cities' Standing Committee on Telecommunications.