Paul Margie

Partner

Paul Margie chairs HWG LLP’s telecommunications practice. He advises clients on telecommunications and internet regulation, spectrum policy, transactions, equipment certification and compliance, telecommunications contracts, accessibility regulation, and corporate foundations and corporate social responsibility.

Paul’s clients include wireless and wireline service providers, internet service providers, equipment manufacturers, satellite companies, software companies, and international charities. He advises clients regarding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the courts, the executive branch, and foreign regulatory entities.

Paul has served in senior positions at the FCC and on Capitol Hill. He served as Legal Advisor to FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps, where he advised the commissioner on wireless, satellite, spectrum, and international issues. Prior to his work at the FCC, Paul served first as Legislative Counsel and then as Senior Commerce Counsel for Senator John D. Rockefeller IV. He advised the senator on telecommunications, internet, science and technology, intellectual property, and economic development policy. Before joining Senator Rockefeller’s staff, he was an attorney at a Washington law firm.

Paul was also Senior Director for Technology Partnerships at the United Nations Foundation. He directed a worldwide partnership with the Vodafone Foundation to advance mobile-health applications and emergency-response communications.

Representative Experience

Led a coalition of chipmakers, device manufacturers, and internet companies to open the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi—making it the largest new Wi-Fi spectrum band in history and the new home of next-generation wireless devices.
Ongoing representation of several Fortune 50 companies for regulatory review of potential new product offerings; regulatory diligence of investments, acquisitions, and partnerships; and FCC compliance for existing products and services.
Represented a wireless and wireline telecommunications provider in an FCC enforcement matter.
Represent an international NGO in compliance with U.S. non-profit law, sanctions compliance, and contracting.

Recognition

Ranked by Chambers USA in Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite – District of Columbia (2010 – 2024); ranked Band 1 (2025)
Selected for inclusion in the Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers List (2015 – present)
Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in Communications Law (2012 – present)

Professional and Community Involvement

Professional Involvement

Current:

Télécoms Sans Frontières, U.S. Representative (2007 – present)
MapAction USA, Board Member, Secretary & Treasurer (2020 – present)
Federal Communication Bar Association, Member

Previous:

U.S. Department of State’s Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy, Member
World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee, Co-Chair
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Board of Legal Experts, U.S. Representative
Federal Communication Bar Association, Member Wireless Communications Committee, Co-Chair
Federal Communication Bar Association, International Committee, Co-Chair

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

Télécoms Sans Frontières, Pro Bono Counsel
MapAction USA, Pro Bone Counsel
Outlaw Ocean Project, Pro Bono Counsel
Hopewell Astronomical Corporation, Member

Firm Involvement

Chair, Telecommunications Practice Group (2021 – present)
Member, Executive Committee (2019 – 2023)

Publications and Presentations

Publications

United States Chapter, Getting the Deal Through—Telecoms and Media (August 2018)
“Can You Hear Me Now? Getting Better Reception from the FCC’s Spectrum Policy,” Stanford Technology Law Review (December 2003)
“Protecting the Right to Vote in State and Local Elections under the Conspiracy against Rights Act,” University of Chicago Legal Forum: Vol. 1995, Article 18 (1995)