Patton Boggs Adds Telecomm Powerhouse

WASHINGTON, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Patton Boggs LLP has hired one of the nation's leading satellite broadcasting and communication attorneys, strengthening the firm's growing telecommunications practice.

Mark C. Ellison joins the firm as a partner in its Washington office. Mr. Ellison has experience in the private and nonprofit sectors assisting clients with content licensing and distribution, Internet services and media in business transactions, corporate matters and regulatory needs.  

"Mark will greatly enhance the firm's thriving telecommunications practice," said Stuart M. Pape, managing partner of the firm. "This addition gives us another telecomm star, joining former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin in our TechComm group while deepening our reach in the industry."

Mr. Ellison comes to Patton Boggs from the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative where he negotiated some of the first distribution licenses from major programmers for Internet protocol distribution. As its senior vice president and general counsel, Mr. Ellison had his hand in an array of projects, including satellite TV, broadband, IPTV, smart grid technology, cellular services and WiMAX. Mr. Ellison also led the company on its broadband stimulus efforts.

Mr. Ellison was on the PrimeStar executive team that catapulted the broadcast satellite service from empty office space to a 100-plus channel commercial launch within six months. Mr. Ellison negotiated the first digital rights deal by reaching an agreement with cable operators, equipment and satellite providers and all major programmers.

"This is an exciting opportunity to build, expand and enhance my practice and the firm's telecommunications practice," Mr. Ellison said. "Patton Boggs has built a tremendous TechComm group and I am thrilled to join the team during this period of significant changes and initiatives within the telecom industry."

Prior to NRTC, Mr. Ellison was one of the nation's core attorneys in the development of direct-to-home satellite television business. Mr. Ellison has been a member of the Electric Cooperative Bar Association, American Corporate Counsel Association and the Federal Communications Bar Association. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Miami.

SOURCE Patton Boggs LLP