Shiva Goel
Partner
Overview
Shiva Goel is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office and serves as chair of the Telecommunications, Media and Technology Team. As a member of the Regulatory Practice Group, Mr. Goel advises and advocates for companies in the telecommunications, space and emerging technology sectors on a broad range of regulatory, national security and strategic matters.
Mr. Goel has significant experience representing clients in high-stakes regulatory, appellate and commercial matters before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), federal courts and enforcement agencies. He advises on the regulation of emerging connectivity technologies, including providing global market entry reviews for new connectivity-based services, and he supports technology, telecommunications and investment firms in commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) regulated by the FCC.
In addition, Mr. Goel represents wireless, satellite, space, technology, media and wireline companies in FCC rulemakings, license adjudications, transaction reviews and investigations. He also represents clients in complex regulatory challenges before the federal courts of appeals.
Along with his legal practice, Mr. Goel frequently speaks on technology, media and telecommunications developments at policy, academic and investor events.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Goel was a partner at a Washington, D.C.-based firm, where he co-chaired the wireless practice. He previously served as a senior advisor for spectrum policy at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he oversaw national strategies for spectrum, satellite and space policies. Mr. Goel also held a senior legal and policy position at the FCC, where he advised on key wireless, satellite and international telecommunications initiatives.
Mr. Goel began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Honorable Louis L. Stanton of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Representative Experience
- Provided strategic advice on wireless spectrum use, auctions and complex repurposing opportunities
- Counseled a broad range of telecommunications and government contractor clients on commercial and federal spectrum licensing matters
- Advised on equipment authorization and related national security matters, including the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) administration of the covered list
- Consulted investors on new wireless policy developments
- Advised a leading equipment maker on the regulation of new wireless products, services and features
- Negotiated spectrum acquisition and secured FCC approval of aggregation above the spectrum screen on behalf of a regional wireless carrier
- Counseled leading non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) operators on a variety of high-stakes licensing, rulemaking and system planning matters
- Served as go-to regulatory counsel for a venture-backed "new space" startup, including in its successful acquisition exit to an established operator
- Developed successful regulatory and spectrum strategies for novel satellite services
- Advised leading operators on space sustainability matters
- Secured timely licensing approvals for emerging new space entrants
- Advised network operators on complex regulatory and commercial matters related to large-scale fiber deployment strategies
- Provided strategic, regulatory and enforcement counsel to companies regarding their participation in the Universal Service Fund (USF), both as contributors and recipients of funding through the High Cost, Rural Healthcare, E-Rate and Lifeline programs
- Provided regulatory counsel to a leading technology company on a series of acquisitions and a broad range of regulatory and national security issues, including privacy, encryption, emergency access, USF and lawful intercept
- Successfully briefed and argued a challenge to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, resulting in the stay and ultimate reversal of new restrictions to broadband affordability programs
- Regularly advise clients on how to preserve arguments when challenging adverse agency decisions and strengthen the record in advance of defending favorable agency decisions on appeal
Credentials
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
- Cornell University, B.A.
- District of Columbia
- Center for Strategic and International Studies, Strategic Technologies Program, Adjunct Fellow, 2025-Present
- Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA)
- Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court, Barrister
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Communications Law, 2021-2023