William K. Keane

Of Counsel

  • William K. Keane
  • Phone: +1 202 776 5243

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    901 New York Avenue N.W., Suite 700 East
    Washington, DC 20001-4795
    USA

William K. (Ken) Keane practices in the area of telecommunications law and policy with a focus on the representation of clients in radio spectrum policy and transactional matters. He counsels broadcast and industrial clients on FCC compliance issues; prepares license applications and other filings for submission to the Commission; represents clients in FCC enforcement proceedings; and provides advice and counsel in connection with communications asset transactions.

Mr. Keane has drafted and negotiated numerous asset purchase agreements for communications properties, broadcast and nonbroadcast, and agreements for the lease of excess capacity on microwave radio systems. Mr. Keane has represented corporate and trade association clients in many FCC rulemakings affecting national policy for administration of the radio spectrum resource. Mr. Keane is also active in international radio spectrum regulation. He has been a U.S. delegate to the last three World Radiocommunication Conferences, and represents client interests in the preparatory work of the International Telecommunication Union, and in the North and South American regional telecommunications organization, CITEL.

Mr. Keane is a 1972 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a cum laude graduate of Holy Cross College. He is a Vietnam veteran.

Representative Matters

  • Acted as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) advisors and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) counsel in a series of major filings before both agencies which began the formal process for seeking a series of approvals, waivers and related Federal Power Act, Public Utilities Holding Company Act and Communications Act actions in an acquisition valued at several hundred million dollars.

  • Represented aerospace clients in obtaining an innovative Federal Communications Commission ruling that authorizes a new type of medical telemetry device in spectrum previously reserved exclusively for flight test purposes.

  • Represented FCC licensees in station acquisitions and tower lease transactions

  • Represented State and municipal governments in negotiations with Sprint regarding the terms and conditions for re-banding 800 MHz radio facilities

  • Represented federal and aerospace industry clients in securing World Radiocommunication Conference approval for additional radio spectrum for flight testing

  • Represented world leader in UV curing technology in FCC proceeding to preserve rules for industrial, scientific and medical devices

  • Represented advertising industry client in federal court and FCC litigation involving client's classification as information service provider, rights to toll-free numbers, and related FCC inquiry

  • Represented major automobile manufacturer in FCC radio licensing

  • Provided advice and counsel to competitive local exchange providers concerning telecom law issues (e.g., slamming) arising in context of bankruptcy proceedings

  • Formed coalition of associations to advocate industrial radio interests before FCC

  • Special counsel on behalf of Fortune 500 clients in FCC enforcement proceedings

  • Representation of schools and colleges in negotiations for lease of microwave system excess capacity

  • Represented one of the nation's largest TV translator operators in proceedings before the FCC regarding the right to compensation for costs of relocating television relay system

  • Provided advice and counsel concerning telecommunications law aspects of VoIP service agreements and the drafting of same

  • Provided counsel to trade association with respect to net neutrality legislation

  • Provided advice and counsel to large public company with respect to mobile TV applications

  • Representation of prominent geophysical exploration company in successful effort to secure modification of FCC rules for new technology

  • Argued appellate cases to United States Court of Appeals and Federal Communications Commission

Areas of Practice

  • Radio Spectrum Policy
  • Broadcasting
  • International

Admissions

  • Virginia
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1972

Professional Activities

  • Member, U.S. Delegation, World Radiocommunication Conferences, 2003, 2007 and 2012
  • Federal Communications Bar Association
    - Executive Committee, 1994-1997
    - Wireless Practice Committee Co-Chair, 2007-2008

Honors and Awards

Selected Publications