Henry Gola

Henry’s expertise touches on all areas of telecommunications, media, and technology, and he serves as a problem-solver on cutting-edge issues. Henry focuses his practice on space and satellite law, spectrum issues, and wireless transactions.  

Henry offers strategic counsel to clients in complex regulatory, transactional, litigation, enforcement, and compliance matters. He drafts comments, petitions, waivers, and other pleadings in proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (NOAA CRSRA), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and other federal agencies.

Representative Matters

• Satellites and space: Advises established and emerging space ventures on satellite and earth station regulation before the FCC and NOAA. Obtains licenses from NOAA for earth imaging satellites and other land remote-sensing space systems and counsels clients on compliance with administrative and operational control requirements.
• Spectrum: Advocated on behalf of satellite operators Intelsat and SES as part of the FCC’s multi-year proceeding to reallocate C-band spectrum for 5G use. Successfully represented Nexstar Media Group in the FCC’s 3.45 GHz proceeding, which allowed the company to seek reimbursement for its retuned Tampa weather radar. Works with NGSO operators on spectrum sharing issues and FCC rulemakings. As in-house counsel, plotted and executed Media General's strategy for participation in the 600 MHz incentive auction.
• Transactions: Routinely represents satellite, wireless, and broadcast clients to secure FCC approvals for acquisitions and transfers of control of authorizations.
• Enforcement: Defended major broadcasters in antitrust proceedings before the DOJ, and responds to major administrative enforcement actions, providing efficient solutions to complex inquiries.
• CVAA and Disability Access: Henry is a go-to expert on the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). He counsels manufacturing, service provider, and broadcasting clients on the FCC implementation of the CVAA, including ACS, IP Captioning, Video Description, and Emergency Information rules. Designs and executes strategies for clients seeking to bring new, compliant communications products to market.

Professional Experience

• Associate General Counsel, Media General Inc. (2015-2017) 
• General Editor, ESPN.com/Scouts Inc. (2005-2008)
• Studio Production, ESPN (2001-2005)

Affiliations

• Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA)

Recognitions

• Included in The Best Lawyers in America directory of “Ones to Watch” for Communications Law (2022-2024)
• Named by The Legal 500 US as a "Next Generation Lawyer" (2021-2022), “Rising Star” (2019-2020), and a "Recommended Lawyer" (2024) in Telecom and Broadcast: Regulatory and recognized in Telecom and Broadcast: Transactional (2023)
• Recipient of two Emmy Awards for work as an associate producer on ESPN's Sportscenter (2003, 2004)