Douglas A. "Drew" Svor

Strategically positioned in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, Drew Svor serves as a member of the firm’s Telecom, Space & Satellite, CFIUS and AI Teams, as well as the D.C. office’s recruiting co-chair.

Areas of Practice

Advisor to Dynamic Industries
Drew is a go-to advisor for technology, telecommunications, aerospace, defense and infrastructure companies navigating today's complex regulatory landscape. With a focus on fostering innovation and growth while ensuring compliance with regulators at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Drew provides strategic counsel to clients at the forefront of technological advancement, strategic investment and national security.

Experience in Action
Drew specializes in representing space and satellite companies, mobile network operators and cutting-edge technology providers before the FCC, the “Team Telecom” Executive Branch agencies, and CFIUS. His expertise includes FCC compliance, spectrum licensing, and navigating regulatory challenges in telecommunications and satellite communications. Drew’s strategic and practical approach ensures clients stay ahead in dynamic industries defined by rapid innovation and evolving regulatory frameworks.

Thought Leader and Speaker
A recognized thought leader on FCC regulatory and space industry trends, Drew regularly authors insightful pieces on emerging technologies, spectrum policy, and important developments at the intersection of telecommunications, space, and national security. Drew’s articles and speaking engagements span industry-leading forums, like SatNews, the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) and the ABA Space Symposium.

Pro Bono Commitment
Beyond the technology sector, Drew is committed to pro bono work, frequently collaborating with Human Rights First to represent refugees in asylum cases before USCIS and DHS.

Industry Boards
Drew serves on the Washington Space Business Roundtable Board and the Law360 Telecommunications Editorial Advisory Board.

Community Involvement
Outside of work, Drew enjoys rugby, running, traveling and is a devoted friend to cats and dogs alike.

Experience

• Developing comprehensive federal regulatory and FCC licensing strategies for a wide range of satellite and ground station operators, mobile network operators, MVNOS, original equipment manufacturers and investors in the telecommunications industry.
• Advising stakeholders appearing before the FCC in complex spectrum licensing and spectrum rebanding proceedings.
• Securing FCC approvals for mergers and public/private equity transactions involving satellite operators, infrastructure providers and telecommunications companies.
• Representing operators and investors before CFIUS and the “Team Telecom” Executive Branch agencies seeking approval for strategic transactions involving foreign ownership and national security-related issues.
• Counseling stakeholders on domestic and international telecommunications matters pending before the FCC, U.S. Congress, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and International Telecommunication Union.
• Counseling companies with respect to the evolving federal and state regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles and drones.
• Representing satellite companies navigating orbital slot, frequency use, satellite network coordination and operational aspects of the satellite services industry.
• Representing companies and investors who are targets of FCC enforcement proceedings and investigations.

Honors

• Telecommunications Editorial Advisory Board, Law360, 2022-2023

• Ones to Watch — Corporate Law, Best Lawyers, 2021-2025
• Recommended Attorney - Telecoms and Broadcast: Regulatory, Legal 500, 2019-2022, 2024
• Recommended Attorney - Telecoms and Broadcast: Transactional, Legal 500, 2022-2024

Articles

FCC Law Blog Posts

• "ALERT: Team Telecom Streamlining Procedures Take Effect," September 5, 2024
• "Burners and Backdoors: The FCC’s $16 Million Settlement with TracFone for Breaches of Customer-Facing APIs," July 31, 2024
• "Soil and Security: The Broadening Scope of CFIUS in Real Estate Transactions," July 24, 2024
• "Data Security Is National Security: Inside the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s Latest Crackdown," July 11, 2024

• "Know Thy Neighbor as Thyself: CFIUS Considerations in Commercial Real Estate Transactions," June 10, 2024
• "FCC to Strengthen Equipment Authorization Process to Protect U.S. National Security," May 24, 2024

• "Dialing Up Accountability: FCC’s Warning Shot to Mobile Network Operators on CPNI," May 14, 2024

• "Treasury Department Proposes to Sharpen the Teeth of CFIUS Enforcement," April 23, 2024

• "Enforcement Advisory: The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau Continues to Closely Review Provider Compliance with Affordable Connective Program Rules," March 14, 2024

• "ALERT: FCC Seeks to Eliminate Digital Discrimination," December 20, 2023

• "The Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Spectrum Strategy," December 1, 2023

• "Shutting Down the Cell Phone Scammers: The FCC Adopts Rules to Crack Down on Fraudulent Practices against Wireless Phone Users," November 30, 2023

• "FCC Launches Inquiry into the Risks of AI on Unwanted Robocalls and Texts," November 2, 2023
• "ALERT: The FCC Fines Companies $20 Million for Failing to Safeguard Customer Proprietary Network Information," August 31, 2023
• "Don’t Look Twice, It’s Alright — The FCC Pulls Back the Curtain on Section 214 Authorizations," April 28, 2023
• "FCC Takes the Lead on Satellite/Mobile Convergence in the Single Network Future Proceeding," March 21, 2023
• "ALERT: FCC Opens Rulemaking on Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Licensed Spectrum," January 4, 2023

• "ALERT: Space Innovation Comes to Part 25 as the FCC Proposes New Reforms for its Satellite and Earth Station Licensing Rules," December 8, 2022
• "ALERT: FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Announces Plans to Create a Space Bureau," November 3, 2022

• "The Many Layered Flavors of Broadband – The FCC’s Proposed Broadband “Nutrition Labels”," April 5, 2022
• "Too Much Time on Their Hands – New Executive Order Limits Time Period for Team Telecom Reviews," April 7, 2020
• "Commerce Prioritizes Earth Selfies as It Seeks to Improve Remote Sensing Licensing," July 17, 2018 
• "FCC Sets Sights on China," May 7, 2018
• "Chips on Their Shoulders: CFIUS Intervenes in Broadcom’s Hostile Takeover Bid for Qualcomm," March 8, 2017 
• "FCC Proposes Expedited Treatment For New Technologies," February 28, 2018 
• "ExteNet v City of Houston: Who pays for access to Texas rights-of-way?," March 27, 2017

• "FCC Liberalizes Rules for Foreign Investment in U.S. Broadcast Licensees," October 17, 2016

• "Hailing on All Frequencies: The FCC Releases the Spectrum Frontiers Order," July 19, 2016

• "Patient Zero – Public Knowledge Seeks FCC Review of A New “Zero Rated” Service," March 14, 2016
• "Headin’ Down the Copperhead Road – the FCC Proposes New Rules for Legacy Infrastructure," January 5, 2015
• "If They Could Be All You Wanted: The FCC Gets Serious About Small Cells," October 28, 2014
• "The Eleventh Circuit Reaffirms FCC’s Authority To Coordinate National TCPA Policy And Ensure Uniformity Of Enforcement in Mais v. Gulf Coast Collection Bureau," October 16, 2014
• "Call Me Maybe?: The New TCPA Position Announced by The Federal Communications Commission in Nigro v. Mercantile Adjustment Bureau," July 7, 2014
• "Supreme Court Sides with Broadcasters in Aereo Decision," June 30, 2014
• "Once More Unto the Breach: the FCC Calls for Comments on Revamping Net Neutrality Regulations," May 16, 2014
• "Is Wheeler Gaga for Gigabit? The FCC Liberates 100 MHz of Spectrum for Unlicensed Wi-Fi," April 7, 2014
• "Sleeper “Small” Cells: The Battle Over The FCC’s Wireless Infrastructure Proceeding," February 27, 2014
• "Regulatory Reminder: Annual CVAA Compliance Certifications due April 1," February 25, 2014
• "Auction 96 - FCC Prepares for Upcoming H Block Spectrum Auction," August 28, 2013
• "FCC Considers Proposal To Lift 25% Cap On Indirect Foreign Investment In Broadcast Licensees," April 22, 2013
• "Regulatory Reminder: CVAA Compliance Certifications due April 1," March 26, 2013
• "FCC Reminds Advanced Communications Services Providers and Equipment Manufacturers of CVAA Recordkeeping Obligations and Compliance Certification," February 12, 2013

Global Trade Law Blog Posts

• "Proposed Outbound Investment Regulations: Understanding the New Restrictions on U.S. Outbound Investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors, and Quantum Computing," June 25, 2024

• "FIRRMA Takes Form as CFIUS Enacts a New Pilot Program Targeting 'Critical Technologies'," October 11, 2018
• "FCC’s Foreign Media Reporting Requirements: Extension of FARA or New Domain?," September 20, 2018 

Government Contracts & Investigations Blog Posts

• "The Next Frontier: Key Takeaways from the New U.S. Government Commercial Space Strategies," April 29, 2024

Privacy & Cybersecurity: Eye on Privacy Blog

• "A Wake-Up Call for Data Privacy in the Telecom Sector," June 24, 2024

Media Mentions

Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, Federal Communications Bar Association CFIUS event, November 7, 2017
• Speaker, Space Law Symposium, ABA Forum on Air & Space Law, Washington, D.C., June 8, 2016

Events

Memberships

• Member, Virginia Bar Association
• Member, Young Lawyers Division, American Bar Association
• Member, Federal Communications Bar Association