Michael B. Hazzard

Mike Hazzard represents global infrastructure, software, and telecommunications companies in a broad range of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional commercial, regulatory, and transactional matters.

Mike has been involved in numerous infrastructure asset carve-out and partnering transactions involving all kinds of communications networks, including data centers, fiber networks, LEO satellites (including 5G D2D NTN), tower infrastructure, undersea cables, and various forms of wireless networks. He also represents OTT and SAS platforms. Mike has led substantial Vendor Due Diligence works streams regarding commercial, legal, and regulatory matters associated with infrastructure assets. For buyers, he has conducted affirmative due diligence on infrastructure assets, regulatory compliance, and key commercial and carrier agreements.

Mike's transactional experience extends throughout the Americas, APAC, CIS, Europe, and MENA regions. He develops and negotiates commercial agreements for infrastructure owners, network operators, service providers, equipment manufacturers, and enterprises. Mike counsels global companies on Sanctions, Anti-Bribery, Anti-Money Laundering, and Know Your Customer matters, including the development of market entry and market exit strategies in compliance with such obligations.

Along with his transactional work, Mike secures regulatory approvals from the FCC, Team Telecom, and various other federal and state agencies as necessary.

Teaming with DLA Piper lawyers world-wide, Mike works with companies in their expansion and transactional efforts across the globe. He similarly has assisted companies entering the US market, where he has deep experience with many regulatory and consumer protection regimes, including the California Consumer Protection Act, the Communications Act, the Electronic Consumer Privacy Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Red Flag Rule, and the Telemarketing Sales Rule, among others.

Mike also maintains an active litigation docket, and he has deep experience as lead litigation counsel. He defends businesses in government actions and consumer class actions, primarily regarding technology, data privacy, and consumer marketing matters. He also represents companies in government-plaintiff actions and federal and state agency investigations, including investigations initiated by the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and state public service and consumer protection agencies.

Mike has successfully defended and defeated numerous consumer class actions. He has particular expertise in Telephone Consumer Protection Act matters, as well as cases brought under the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Communications Act, and numerous other federal and state consumer protection and privacy laws. He has defended actions in over 20 district courts, argued seven federal appeals before the Third, Fourth, Ninth, and District of Columbia Circuits, and defended clients before dozens of federal and state agencies.