Donna Balaguer is a Principal in the Washington, D.C., office of Fish & Richardson P.C. For many years, Ms. Balaguer served as an executive and in-house counsel to both entrepreneurial and major corporations. She relies on her insider perspective to provide clients with practical and realistic advice, always taking into account clients’ internal processes and business objectives.
Ms. Balaguer represents start-ups, non-profits, and Fortune 500 corporations in negotiating and drafting a variety of commercial transactions, often complex agreements in the technology area. Ms. Balaguer has a deep expertise and background in the communications field, including wireless, enforcement issues, satellite, towers, equipment authorizations, environmental compliance and new broadband technology. Since joining the firm in 2006, Ms. Balaguer has negotiated transactions related to wireless licenses worth approximately $2 billion. Ms. Balaguer also negotiates complex and interrelated chains of supply, license, resale, and co-sell agreements among software/hardware companies and their U.S. and international partners.
Ms. Balaguer develops regulatory strategies and guides clients through complex government requirements to maximize business opportunities and minimize risk. Ms. Balaguer regularly represents clients before the Federal Communications Commission on a wide variety of communications and equipment matters. She has successfully resolved FCC enforcement issues, including FCC-led investigations, for service providers, license holders and equipment manufacturers. Ms. Balaguer assists schools and service providers with navigating the complex Universal Service Fund, including E-rate, and has successfully appealed decisions that would have otherwise cost clients millions in crucial funds.
Ms. Balaguer's previous experience includes serving as a Vice President for MCI WorldCom, Inc., where she headed the group responsible for managing thousands of wireless licenses and contracts, developing and implementing regulatory strategies and acquiring new wireless assets. She also served as General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Business Development to a spectrum brokerage and consulting firm and as Vice President of a communications entrepreneurial company that was acquired by MCI. Ms. Balaguer served on the Board of Directors and as an Executive Committee Member of the Wireless Communications Association International.
Recent Publications and Presentations
FCC Permits Leasing of MSS/ATC Spectrum, Fish & Richardson Client Alert (April 2011).
Quoted in Forbes article, “Comcast-FCC Decision Sets up a Tech Lobbying Fight” (April 6, 2010).
Education in the Wireless Age, NEBSA Annual Meeting (March 1, 2011)
E-Rate – Legal, Ethical and Liability Issues, Industry Trade Group Seminar (October 1, 2010)
Wireless Broadband – The Solution for Anytime/Anywhere Learning, NEBSA Annual Meeting (February 24, 2009)
Focus on the Future, NEBSA Annual Meeting (February 20, 2008)
E-Rate – Avoiding the Pitfalls, Webinar presentation (December 2007)
FCC Enforcement on the Rise: What Every RF Device Manufacturer and EMC Test House Should Know, Client Seminar presentation (October 2, 2007)
ITFS/EBS The Next Generation, NEBSA Annual Meeting (February 20, 2007)