Robert J. Butler

Return To List

rbutler@wstelecomlaw.com
Download vCard

Born Niagara Falls, NY, May 10, 1954; admitted to bar, 2004, Virginia, 1979, District of Columbia.

Education

Michigan State University (B.A.)
Harvard Law School (J.D., magna cum laude).

Practice Areas

Internet & E-Commerce Transactions
Telecommunications Regulation
Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring
Privacy

Bar & Court Admissions

District of Columbia Bar
Virginia Bar
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth and District of Columbia Circuits
U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia and Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Representative Experience

Mr. Butler counsels technology companies and other clients in connection with e-commerce business transactions, telecommunication regulation, the interplay of the Bankruptcy Code with laws governing regulated industries, and other bankruptcy matters.
Advises clients on e-commerce business and liability issues and all aspects of federal, state and international telecommunications regulation, with an emphasis on business to business transactions and regulatory and legislative issues involving information services, wireless platforms and other new technologies.
Represents debtors and creditors with respect to commercial rights and regulatory compliance and relief in bankruptcy and related contexts.
Handles appeals of complex legal issues and matters of first impression arising out of bankruptcy courts.

Professional Affiliations

Steering Committee (1998-2000) and Chair (1996-1998), Global Telecommunications and Information Task Force, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
American Bar Association

Member (1980-Present).
Co-Chair, Telecommunications and Mass Media Committee, Section of Science and Technology Law (2005-2007).
Chair, Communications Law Division, Section of Science and Technology Law (1992-1998, 2002-2004).
Council Member (1998-2001) and Budget Officer (1998-2002), Section of Science and Technology Law.
Member, Governing Board, Forum on Communications Law (1993-1996).
Chair, Subcommittee on Information Infrastructure, Committee on the Law of Commerce in Cyberspace, Section of Business Law (1996-1999).

Member, Federal Communications Bar Association.
Member, Northern Virginia Bankruptcy Bar Association.
Member, American Bankruptcy Institute.

Publications & Speeches

Contributing Author, Bankruptcy Telecommunications Manual, 2nd Ed., American Bankruptcy Institute (2006).
Speaker, "Content Issues: Licensing, Adult Services and Other Liability Concerns for Wired and Wireless Broadband Networks," Law Seminars International�s Broadband and Carrier Telecom Deals, Atlanta, GA (November 7-8, 2005).
Contributing Author, Bankruptcy Telecommunications Manual, 1st Ed., American Bankruptcy Institute (2003).
Speaker, "Voice-Over IP: Regulatory and Contract Issues," LSI Conference: Negotiating Carrier-to-Carrier Telecommunications Deals, Atlanta, GA (November 7, 2003).
Speaker, "Hot Topics in Tax and Bankruptcy," USTA TeleCom 03 Annual Conference & Exhibition, Las Vegas, NV (October 11-15, 2003).
Speaker, "Integrated Services/Equipment and Web-Based Contracting," LSI Conference: Negotiating Telecommunications Deals, San Francisco, CA (July 24-25, 2003).
Speaker, "Top Ten Tips for Negotiating Website Hosting Agreements," LSI Conference: Negotiating Telecommunications Deals, Atlanta, GA (November 15, 2002).
Speaker, "WorldCom Bankruptcy: Implications for the Telecom Industry," USTA Annual Convention and Exhibition, Boca Raton, FL (September 29, 2002).
Co-Author, "Telecommunications Bankruptcy Primer: Protecting Your Interests" (July 2002).
Co-Author, "Life with Chapter 11: Top 20 Tips for Dealing with WorldCom" (July 2002).
Speaker, "Developments in Broadband," LSI Conference: Negotiating Telecommunications Deals, San Francisco, CA (July 25-27, 2002).
Speaker, "Internet and Broadband Access," LSI Conference: Negotiating Telecommunications Deals, San Francisco, CA (July 25-27, 2002).
Speaker, Wiley Rein & Fielding Bankruptcy Briefing for Local Exchange Carrier Clients, Washington, DC (July 17, 2002).
Co-Author, "Nothing But Net," Legal Times (June 4, 2001).
Co-Author, "Appendix: Defining the Regulatory Arena: An Annotated Glossary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996" Chapter in Telecommunications Law, Regulation & Policy (1998).
Co-Author, "Cyberoverhaul: The Telecommunications Act of 1996" Chapter in Business and Legal Guide to Online-Internet Law (1997).

The materials on the Sapronov & Associates, P.C. web site are intended to inform clients, friends and visitors to the site in a general way about our law firm and legal developments. These materials are not intended to be treated as legal advice and the reader is advised to consult with an attorney experienced in such areas of the law prior to taking any actions on issues discussed on this web site. Posting of these materials is not intended to create any attorney-client relationship with the reader, and there is not a guarantee that the information is correct, complete or up-to-date. We welcome your comments and inquiries. To the extent you are not presently a Sapronov & Associates client, please do not send us any information about your legal affairs until you have made direct contact with one of our attorneys. Once we have determined that we have no conflict in advising you, we will be happy to discuss possible representation.