Don Evans has a practice covering a wide spectrum of telecommunications fields. He has historically represented major commercial mobile radio providers, having participated in the cellular radio and PCS services since their inception. He has litigated complex broadcast and common carrier hearings before the FCC's ALJs. In addition, he provides counsel and routine filing assistance to multi-station broadcast concerns. He conceived, and overcame strong FCC opposition to a plan that would require the FCC to authorize TV stations to move from small towns in the Rockies to the New York and Philadelphia metro areas. An early practitioner in the field of "wireless cable," he continues to represent Broadband Radio Service companies and their affiliated educational partners through the FCC process.
As wireless cable has transitioned into broadband internet, Don has represented a variety of new entrants into the burgeoning wireless broadband field. When clients are faced with enforcement actions by the FCC, Don assists them in vigorously defending themselves and, when appropriate, reaching a fair settlement agreement with the Commission. In virtually all of these fields, he is involved in the negotiation, drafting of contracts and FCC approval process associated with purchase/sale transactions. Many FCC licenses are now issued through an auction process. Don counsels clients in pre-auction strategy and assists in the arcana of actual auction bidding. He has been actively involved in an ongoing effort to ensure that all carriers are entitled to reasonable and non-discriminatory roaming rates.
Don holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude) from Boston College and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He was a long-time chair of the FCBA's Adjudicatory Practice Committee for three years. Don has also been admitted to the specialized bars of the Court of Federal Claims and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit where he has handled cases involving claims against the FCC for breach of contract. He is also admitted to the D.C. Circuit and Ninth Circuit bars where he pursues a very active appellate practice, as well as the Supreme Court.