Rachel S. Wolkowitz

Partner
Office Washington DC
Contact
VCARD

Rachel practices at the intersection of emerging technology and consumer protection, including accessibility, data privacy, Internet of Things, robocalling, and unfair and deceptive practices. Whether compliance with FCC rules, state privacy laws, or FTC guidance, Rachel is her clients’ go-to as they design their products and services in a changing regulatory and legal landscape – and seek rule changes or waivers to make their innovative products viable. Rachel also helps technology and media companies, carriers, and manufacturers comply with and develop FCC regulations related to disability access, hearing aid compatibility, equipment authorization, and RF exposure. In addition, she counsels clients on the clearance of trademarks and the prosecution of federal trademark applications. Having been an in-house attorney, she appreciates the pressures in-house counsel face and leverages her experience into exceptional client service.

Rachel serves as Chair of the WBK Women’s Initiative, helping women at WBK achieve success, as they define it.

 

Representative Engagements
  • Assisted clients in navigating the equipment certification rules to preserve confidentiality until product launch, import pre-certified devices for customer evaluation and operation, understand whether product modifications require new authorizations, and develop compliance plans in accordance with consent decrees.
  • Advocated for the wireless and consumer technology industries in FCC rulemakings concerning, among other issues, equipment pre-sales, increasing available spectrum for commercial use, accessible user interfaces, advanced communications services, and hearing-aid compatibility (HAC).
  • Advised clients on complying with the FCC’s accessible telecommunications, advanced communications services, HAC, and telecommunications relay services rules.
  • Drafted multiple pleadings to shape federal and state data privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations.
  • Assisted clients incorporating UAS (drones) into their operations navigate the changing federal, state, and local legal landscape; drafted comments on FAA rulemakings, crafted compliance plans for broadcasters supplementing news-copters with drones, stewarded UAS manufacturers through FCC equipment authorization requirements, and analyzed dozens of federal, state, and local proposals to regulate UAS and UAS operations.
  • Assisted clients in clearing proposed trademark and service marks as well as preparing and filing trademark and service mark applications
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Honors
  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Communications Law and Intellectual Property Law (2021-2025)
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Publications
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Speeches and Presentations
  • “Private Sector Perspectives on Accessibility,” FCBA Diversity Committee Program – Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Panelist, May 2022
  • FCBA Diversity Pipeline Program, Lecturer, March 2022
  • FCBA CLE on Drone Technology, Panelist, September 2018
  • “Cable Consolidation: Antitrust and the FCC,” Second Annual Fordham Law Entertainment Law Symposium, Moderator, March 2016
  • “Drones and Utilities: Policy and Regulations,” Kinetic webinar series, co-presenter with Mark Wiranowski, February 2016
  • FCBA CLE on Navigating the FCC’s Accessibility Rules, Panelist, December 2015
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Pro Bono and Volunteer Projects
  • Secretary, Board of Directors of the World Institute on Disability
  • Deputy Treasurer, Board of Trustees of the FCBA Foundation
  • Director of Religious Affairs and Member, Liturgy Committee, Congregation Bet Mishpachah (edited an LGBTQ+ inclusive Shabbat prayer book (2018) and a High Holidays prayer book (2021))
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