Mr. Kiechel is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Morrison & Foerster and is a member of the firm’s Communications Group. Prior to joining the firm in March 2000, he was a partner at Gurman, Blask & Freedman, Chartered.

Mr. Kiechel represents PCS, cellular, and other voice and data wireless service providers before the FCC and the courts. In recent years, he has advised clients on a broad range of matters such as participation in the federal spectrum auctions, foreign ownership limitations, license assignments and transfers, competition analysis, designated entity requirements, spectrum leasing, resale, and roaming arrangements.

In addition to his regulatory practice, Mr. Kiechel also has over two decades of experience in business transactions and negotiating and drafting commercial contracts. He currently advises clients on spectrum and network acquisitions and sales and management, wholesale and other operating arrangements. He assisted a national broadband PCS carrier in the implementation of its tower buildtosuit, collocation and master lease programs and advised the same client on the leasing of individual switch, cell and office locations in select major markets. He also provides counsel to this client on its microwave relocation program. He has represented a major wireless carrier in negotiations with the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with a petition filed by the two agencies at the FCC to defer grant of merger applications pending resolution of national security concerns and was successful in bringing about a final agreement in a very short time frame. Mr. Kiechel has provided legal counsel to a competitive local exchange carrier for the nationwide location and development of roof top telecom sites and other facilities. Recently, Mr. Kiechel provided FCC counsel to a major regional cellular carrier that merged with a larger carrier. He has handled the FCC and transactional legal work for independent cellular carriers selling their systems to larger companies.

Mr. Kiechel received his B.A., with highest honors, Phi Beta Kappa, from Columbia University in 1979 and his J.D., with honors, from Harvard Law School in 1982. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Massachusetts.

Representative Matters

Advised wireless client in implementation and subsequent unwind of innovative network sharing arrangement in major markets.

Successfully represented carrier in negotiations with the Department of Justice and the FBI in connection with a petition filed by the two agencies at the FCC to defer grant of merger applications pending resolution of national security concerns.

Provided legal counsel to a competitive local exchange carrier for the nationwide location and development of roof top telecom sites and other facilities.