The American Lawyer Names Arnold & Porter Partner 'Dealmaker of the Week'

Washington, DC, July 30, 2015 -- Arnold & Porter's Richard Rosen was recently named as one of two "Dealmakers of the Week" by The American Lawyer. Mr. Rosen was recognized for his representation of AT&T in securing Federal Communications Commission and antitrust approval for AT&T's $48.6 billion cash and stock acquisition of satellite television operator DIRECTV. Closely watched in the telecommunications industry, the deal closed on July 24 following approval by the FCC.

Mr. Rosen told The American Lawyer, "[What we had was] a strong evidentiary case in favor of the deal … we were able to demonstrate to the agencies that were skeptical that the transaction was going to benefit the public and would not harm competition." He added that the combination of AT&T's Internet services with the television offerings of its new asset represents an opportunity for complementary products to be better bundled for customers. The FCC concluded that the combined AT&T-DIRECTV "will be a more effective [video] competitor, offering consumers greater choice at lower prices," and that the deal "will stimulate lower prices, not only for [AT&T's] bundles, but also for competitors' bundled products -- benefiting consumers and serving the public interest."

Arnold & Porter's Maureen Jeffreys led the FCC team for AT&T. Antitrust partner Wilson Mudge in Washington, DC, along with Susan Hinchliffe and Michael Ryan, based in London, worked with Mr. Rosen and Ms. Jeffreys in obtaining all required approvals. Crowell & Moring served as co-counsel and Wm. Randolph Smith of that firm was named co-recipient of the magazine's recognition, for its representation of AT&T before the Department of Justice.