J. Jeffrey Craven

Partner

Direct (202) 585-6958

Fax (202) 508-1018

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Overview
Affiliations
Civic Involvement
Honors
Matters

Jeff Craven is a member of the firm’s Corporate and Securities practice group and co-chairs the firm's Media and Internet group. He advises clients on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing and regulatory matters, as well as domestic and international mergers and acquisitions. Jeff focuses principally in the telecom, satellite, technology and energy sectors, regularly providing advice and counsel on the formation and financing of domestic and international transactions, as well as strategic alliances.

He advises private equity groups, government contractors, foreign governments, bond holders and underwriters in regulatory, transactional and business due diligence associated with domestic and international transactions, such as public-private partnerships ("PPPs") and enhanced-use leases ("EULs").

Jeff also counsels entrepreneurs and start-up businesses on formation, financings structuring options, and partnering strategies.

Federal Communications Bar Association

Board of Trustees, Georgetown University’s George F. Baker Trust

Board of Directors, Alternative House

Board of Directors, LeTendre Education Fund for Homeless Children

Fairfax Partnership for Youth - Founding Member, Past President

Fairfax County Criminal Justice Advisory Board - Past Board Member, Past Chairman

Springfield Youth Club - Girls Lacrosse Coach (2004-2008)

2013 Top Rated Lawyers in Technology; American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell

2012 Washington D.C. & Baltimore's Top Rated Lawyers, Communications & Media

2011 SmartCEO Magazine's "Legal Elite," Washington, DC

Northern Virginia Human Services Council, Community Partner Award for Outstanding Individual

Represented U.S. broadband satellite and terrestrial communications service provider in acquisition of international assets, including ground stations, leases, IP and employees. Counseling included advice on Export Control and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance, as well as tax planning.

Lead counsel to nuclear energy trade association in negotiation with the FCC and broadcasters over use of communications devices operating on broadcast spectrum, resulting in FCC and NTIA approval for FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA) and Experimental Licenses.

Represented leading government IT/communications provider in the acquisition of major video teleconferencing service provider, including negotiations with lenders, vendors and government contracting officers, regarding the novation of the government contracts.

Represented a major U.S. energy company in the completion of a $105M Central Utility Plant (CUP) to provide power, steam and chilled water, with guarantees of 99.99% availability, meeting the recognized power quality of the Information Technology Industry Council. This public-private partnership ("PPP") transaction involved a 36.5-year Enhanced Use Lease ("EUL") and secured power for the U.S. Army and the Department of Homeland Security.

Represented Helsinki, Finland-based foreign government-owned telecommunications company in its $1.7 billion investment in U.S. Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) carrier roll-up, resulting in $4.3 billion exit. Also secured precedent setting FCC decision, under Section 310 (b)(4) of the Telecom Act, to allow the client to hold a controlling interest in a U.S. wireless carrier.

Represented Sprint wireless affiliate operating in the Southeast United States, counseling on FCC licensing, management agreement/build-out issues, and equipment financing, as well as successful placement of high-yield debt ($156 million) and initial public offering ($130 million).

Represented leading provider of satellite ground systems worldwide, including the negotiation of Service Distribution Agreements, Hosting Agreements, Master Services Agreements and Antenna Services Agreements, as well as Export Control and FCPA compliance.

Provide strategic advice and counsel on government contracting and immigration matters as well as potential acquisition structures for leading European fixed satellite service provider.

Represented privately-held cellular carrier in asset sale to Verizon Wireless of 50 cell site wireless networks covering two states, including structuring of liability caps, resolving environmental and FCC regulatory compliance (E-911, PSAP) issues, settling of numerous vendor contract disputes, and facilitating tax strategy and implementation.

Qualified and served as an Expert Witness in United States District Court for FCC regulatory and transactional matters as well as for the financing of wireless telecommunications networks.

Provided FCC regulatory, licensing and transactional advice to competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), offering dial-up and broadband Internet service, as well as local and long-distance telephone service. Also counseled on successful Rural Utilities Service (RUS) grant application.

Represented major Las Vegas casino in the acquisition, licensing and management services for non-common carrier VHF/UHF paging licenses.

Represented trustee in the disposition of non-wireline MSA and Rural Service Area (RSA) cellular systems in three states, via a FCC-approved Divestiture Trust Agreement, including demonstration of competitive marketplace for wireless services.

Lead counsel representing Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) team on several Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) EUL projects, valued at over $400 million.