Tillman (Tim) L. Lay is a member of Best Best & Krieger’s Telecommunications practice group, based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. With more than 35 years of experience and a repertoire of prominent industry successes handling intricate, shifting and sometimes litigious telecommunications matters, Tim provides clients with invaluable perspective and relentless advocacy. He has represented clients—largely local governments and municipalities across the nation—in broadband, cable, wireless, broadcast, right-of-way franchising and other communications law-related issues before the FCC, federal courts, Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition to communications law issues, Tim has noted experience representing clients in tax, land use, utility and constitutional law matters before federal courts and administrative agencies.
 
In his day-to-day practice, Tim addresses everything from contract negotiations, regulatory advice matters and small cell right-of-way placement disputes to cell site zoning and broadcast channel carriage rights. Additionally, he spends significant time advising and strategizing with local governments on a prominent local government revenue-raising dilemma: the eroding cable television and telecommunications fee and tax revenue base. He is a widely sought advisor whose ultimate goal is to maximize the benefits and minimize the adverse impacts that new rulings, decisions and legislation will have on his clients and their constituents.
 
As a leader in the field, Tim also regularly presents and has published numerous thought leadership pieces on hot-button topics, including regulatory issues related to telecommunications carriers and information service providers; the Telecommunications Act of 1996; the effect of telecommunications convergence on federalism; and local government’s role in telecommunications policy and investments.
 
Tim is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia, First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh circuits; and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Before entering private practice, Tim was a judicial clerk for the Honorable John C. Godbold, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
 
Outside of the office, Tim enjoys paleontology, sports, politics and art.
 
Education

• University of Michigan Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, order of the coif
  • Articles Editor, Michigan Law Review
• University of Tennessee, B.S., highest honors

 
Admissions

• District of Columbia

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Federal Communications Bar Association
• National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA)

 
Honors & Awards

• Impact Award for Outstanding Advocates, National Hispanic Media Coalition, 2018
• Member of the Year, NATOA, 2006
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated