Peter Schildkraut is a co-leader of the firm's Technology, Media & Telecommunications industry team. He provides strategic counsel on AI regulation and risk management as well as spectrum use, broadband, and other TMT regulatory matters. Peter helps clients navigate the ever-changing opportunities and challenges of technology, policy, and law to achieve their business objectives at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and elsewhere. He is the author of "AI Regulation: What You Need To Know To Stay Ahead of the Curve" (2021) and was the U.S. AI regulation presenter for the International Association of Privacy Professionals' first-ever AI Governance Training.
Peter represents clients in rulemakings and administrative litigation and advises them on regulatory compliance. He also assists them in all stages of transactions, large and small, including every major U.S. communications transaction of AT&T Inc. (formerly SBC) since 1998.
Aside from his TMT practice, Peter has represented companies in internal investigations and criminal and civil defenses of large antitrust and anti-corruption cases.
Prior to his graduation from law school, Peter served as a legislative assistant to a Kentucky congressman and as a legislative consultant at a lobbying firm.
Experience
- AT&T in coordinating international regulatory approvals, notifications, and other filings for the WarnerMedia/Discovery merger.
- AT&T in its sale of VRIO Corp. (DIRECTV operations in Latin America and the Caribbean) to Grupo Werthein, including FCC approval and coordinating international regulatory approvals and notifications.
- Engineering, procurement, and construction company in a spectrum lease for a utility's private network.
- AT&T in its sale of 2.3 GHz WCS C and D Block spectrum to Sirius XM Radio Inc., including FCC approval and a request for a waiver of the FCC rules.
- Cable television network in advising on reimbursements for satellite earth station equipment expenses connected with the C-Band spectrum transition.
- AT&T, as antitrust and regulatory counsel, in leading the effort to obtain U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance and FCC approval for the sale of its Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands assets to Liberty Latin America.
- Creditors in foreign ownership, media cross-ownership, and other FCC compliance issues in connection with emergence of a major radio station group from bankruptcy and the subsequent petition for declaratory ruling to permit increased foreign ownership.
- Major League Baseball (MLB) team regarding their rights under a telecommunications agreement.
- AT&T in its merger with Time Warner Inc., including the Antitrust Division's HSR review and the subsequent successful litigation against DOJ.
- AT&T in its petition for a waiver of the rules to allow the 2.3 GHz WCS C and D Block spectrum to be used for smart grid (and related smart city) applications.
- AT&T in its merger with DIRECTV.
- AT&T in its acquisition of the assets of Plateau Wireless; in its merger with Leap Wireless International, Inc.; and in its acquisition of the assets of Allied Wireless Communications Corporation and assisting in integrating these businesses.
- AT&T in its petition for rulemaking to enable use of the 2.3 GHz Wireless Communications Service C and D Block spectrum for an in-flight connectivity service.
- AT&T in freeing a new band of spectrum for mobile broadband services through the 2.3 GHz Wireless Communications Service rulemaking, litigating and settling contested license renewals, and seven transactions, including the first acquisition of spectrum the U.S. Rural Utilities Service held following a borrower's default.
- AT&T in its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA, Inc.
- AT&T in its acquisition of former ALLTEL Corporation properties divested by Verizon Wireless in which Mr. Schildkraut obtained the first FCC approval of a wireless transaction involving a reverse like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Client in counseling on renewals of broadband wireless spectrum and compliance with "substantial service" requirement.
- Clients in advising on spectrum auctions, including compliance with the anti-collusion rules.
- Clients in conducting internal investigations and defending in government investigations of compliance with communications, competition, and anti-corruption laws.
- Foreign clients in advising on U.S. communications laws.
Perspectives
Schildkraut’s report on how AI will be regulated and how to prepare
Recognition
Telecoms and Broadcast: Regulatory (2013-2023)
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School, 1997, magna cum laude
- M.P.P., Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, 1997
- A.B., Harvard College, 1990, magna cum laude
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Massachusetts
Activities
- Member, Federal Communications Bar Association and its Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Robotics
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Member, American Bar Association