Attorney: Jacqueline R. Hankins | The CommLaw Group | Telecom Law Firm | Telecommunications, Communications & Information Technology (IT) Attorneys

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Co-Authored, “Mis-Administration and Misadventures of the Universal Service Fund: A Case Study in the Importance of the Administrative Procedure Act to Government Agency Rulemaking,” CommLaw Conspectus, Journal of Communications Law and Policy, Volume 20, Issue 1, June 2011

EDUCATION

Ms. Hankins joined the firm after graduating from the George Mason University School of Law. Ms. Hankins’ legal education focused on communications and business law. While at Mason, Ms. Hankins also served as Managing Editor for the prestigious Journal of Law, Economics & Policy. Prior to attending George Mason, Ms. Hankins received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University, double majoring in Economics and French.

ADMISSIONS

Ms. Hankins is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is an active member of the Federal Communications Bar Association.

» Jacqueline R. Hankins

Associate

1420 Spring Hill Road
Suite 401
McLean, Virginia 22102

703.714.1314 (telephone)
703.714.1330 (fax)

» jrh@commlawgroup.com
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Ms. Hankins is an associate attorney and works on a variety of matters on behalf of the firm’s clients, including a broad assortment of regulatory matters, including fees, taxes, privacy and other regulations. Ms. Hankins is also an experienced litigator and works with the firm’s Litigation team on complex civil and administrative litigation matters.

In conjunction with her legal education, Ms. Hankins worked as a research assistant on behalf of Dr. Clay Thomas Whitehead. In 1970, Whitehead helped create the White House Office of Telecommunications Policy (OTP). Through this relationship, Ms. Hankins researched the history of the telecommunications industry, focusing on federal policies, legislation and judicial actions.

Ms. Hankins also completed several internships which expanded her foundation in the communications industry. In Sprint-Nextel’s Office of Privacy, Ms. Hankins worked as a legal analyst, researching and drafting memoranda addressing consumer privacy rights with respect to telecommunications carriers and Internet providers. At Sprint-Nextel, Ms. Hankins developed a strong understanding of state and federal telemarketing statutes after creating comprehensive guidelines for telemarketing compliance.

Ms. Hankins further enhanced her knowledge as a law clerk with Freedom Technologies, a boutique telecommunications consulting firm, where she examined global trends in the development and diffusion of broadband wireless, communication failures in the wake of natural disasters, global satellite communications systems, FCC rule flexibility and auction rules, Universal Service Fund rules, and the taxation of telecommunications services. During law school, Ms. Hankins also gained federal regulatory experience as an intern with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Office of the Chief Counsel, Enforcement Division. At the SEC, Ms. Hankins researched and composed legal memoranda on securities issues such as control person liability, examined legal policy matters, including the evolution of distribution investor claims funds, and analyzed punitive award trends and developed penalty guidelines for concurrent criminal and civil actions. Ms. Hankins also gained experience in the non-profit sector as an intern with the National Government Relations Department of the American Cancer Society where she worked on lobbying initiatives.

Representative Experience

Counseling companies including VoIP service providers, competitive carriers, wireless, Internet access, satellite, and prepaid providers among others, regarding federal and state regulatory compliance
Aiding clients with compliance with federal, state and local communications and regulatory taxes and fees including sales, use, excise and transaction taxes, 911/E911 fees, and other “tax-like” regulatory fees applicable to communications services and products
Preparing federal and state reports and compliance filings
Representing clients in litigation matters including defending clients in depositions
Arguing dispositive motions in court
Assisting with client representation before the FCC, including filing and defending against informal complaints
Counseling clients on the federal USF and application of the Carrier’s Carrier Rule and state Universal Service Fund rules
Representing clients in state public utility commission complaints and related matters
Drafting and filing motions, complaints and additional pleadings in federal and state court
Drafting comments and petitions for filing with the FCC in rulemaking proceedings
Negotiating with the FCC to secure settlements for clients in Notice of Apparent Liability (“NAL”) proceedings
Advising clients regarding federal anti-money laundering rules, unclaimed property, and escheat laws as applied to prepaid providers
Preparing required regulatory filings for transfers of control and market exit
Counseling clients on the application of local access charges
Reviewing and advising clients regarding prepaid calling card disclosures and consumer protection obligations
Preparing and filing state authorizations including telecommunications tariffs
Conducting comprehensive regulatory audits of services offered and advising clients regarding regulatory classification and implications Drafting and amending contracts and commercial agreements and advising clients on structuring new business enterprises
Developing comprehensive TCPA and CAN_SPAM-compliant privacy policies including website disclosures, third-party non-disclosure and non-compete agreements addressing the protection of confidential information, and CPNI manuals
Advising clients with regard to state and federal telemarketing restrictions and responding to complaints
Assisting in client advocacy initiatives before the FCC, including drafting petitions for the Ad Hoc Coalition of International Telecommunications Companies

Prior to attending George Mason, Ms. Hankins received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University, double majoring in Economics and French.