Ariel Diamond West advises technology and communications industry members on regulatory policy, compliance, and transactional matters. Ariel has extensive experience representing clients in complex regulatory matters and investigations before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). She also has significant experience with assisting global software and communications companies in cross-border transactions, multi-jurisdictional expansion efforts, and transaction-related restructuring. She has particular expertise regarding the global regulation of over-the-top (OTT) services.
Ariel has robust experience with representing clients before federal and state regulatory authorities. She was a key member of the team that helped secure the federal and state approvals for T-Mobile's merger with Sprint and was deeply involved in drafting and finalizing federal and state filings related to the transaction. Ariel has also developed experience in public safety, resiliency, and disaster response policy and compliance issues, including by serving as an alternate member of the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) Disaster Response and Recovery Working Group. In that role, she served as the lead editor of the Working Group's Report and Recommendations, which were unanimously adopted by the full committee.
Her work on public safety and resiliency issues has expanded through representation of clients on Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act compliance, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and state regulatory investigations. Most recently, Ariel has actively assisted with a CPUC regulatory investigation related to overhead electric line and communications facilities.
In addition, Ariel has expertise in assisting global software and communications companies in multi-jurisdictional expansion efforts, including global product deployment and market entry, cross-border transactions, and global corporate re-organizations. In coordination with DLA Piper attorneys across the globe, Ariel has assisted multiple companies with commercial and regulatory matters associated with the global deployment of OTT services, including voice, messaging, and audio and video streaming services.
Ariel has considerable insight into current regulatory and legal issues as a result of working directly with CTIA (the trade association representing the wireless industry), including through a recent secondment and prior FCC experience where she managed wireless and international spectrum policy and licensing rulemakings. Ariel joined DLA Piper from the FCC Attorney Honors Program, where she worked as an Attorney Advisor in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. She served as a primary drafter of the 3.7-4.2 GHz Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and presented the item for Commission approval.
Ariel was the Editor-in-Chief of the Colorado Technology Law Journal. Her legal experience also includes internships with the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the Office of FCC Chairman Wheeler, and at an entrepreneurial media company.
Ariel is actively involved in pro bono work and represents clients in asylum and other immigration matters.
