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Scott R. Flick, Partner

Scott R. Flick

Partner
Washington, DC

Partner, Washington, DC

T: +1.202.663.8167
T: +1.202.663.8167

Areas of Focus

Extremely knowledgeable” … with a “practical approach that demonstrates he truly understands our business.
—Chambers USA

Recognized as “vastly experienced” and “a top-notch attorney” (The Legal 500) and praised for his ability to “help navigate deals for clients” (Chambers USA), Scott Flick has successfully litigated precedent-setting cases, spearheaded many of the largest media-sector M&As, and handled media-related transactions valued at over $70 billion.

One of the most versatile attorneys in his field and recognized as “the best available anywhere” (Best Lawyers 2021), Scott is the head of Pillsbury’s Communications practice and provides strategic counsel to clients on transactional, regulatory, business, finance, litigation, public policy, IP and technology matters in the communications sector. His practice includes media, programming, technology and telecommunications clients, as well as non-communications companies facing issues involving communications technologies and regulations. He regularly works with TV and radio stations, broadcast, cable and streaming networks, as well as with internet, media, technology, advertising, and program production and distribution companies. Scott, “a walking Wiki on FCC law” (Best Lawyers) and the outside General Counsel of the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations, obtains changes in federal law and policy, structures ventures for acquisitions and other transactions to address regulatory constraints, and advises media and technology lenders and investors. Scott is the chief editor of Pillsbury’s CommLawCenter blog.

Representative Experience

  • Representing the Texas Association of Broadcasters in appellate litigation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit challenging an FCC order implementing Form 395-B, which would require broadcasters to annually report the race, gender and ethnicity of each employee by job category, with the FCC then posting that information online.
  • Awarded Deal of the Year by Latin Lawyer for representing Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in the $4.8 Billion merger of its media, production and content businesses with Univision Holdings, Inc., the largest Spanish-language media company in the U.S. The merger created the largest Spanish-language media company in the world, along with the largest library of owned video content. The merged company’s assets will include, in the U.S., the Univision and UniMás broadcast networks, nine Spanish-language cable networks, 61 television stations and 58 radio stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets, and numerous digital properties, including its streaming service, PrendeTV. Its assets in Mexico include four broadcast networks, 27 pay-TV networks and stations, the Videocine movie studio, the BLIM TV subscription video-on-demand service, and various other television production assets.
  • Representing SP Media Group Inc. and a consortium of investors led by Edgar Bronfman, Jr. in negotiations to acquire Paramount Global, including its movie studios, streaming network, the CBS television network, and its owned and operated television stations.

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  • Representing MediaCo Holding Inc. in its acquisition of Estrella Media’s national network, content, digital, and commercial operations, including the EstrellaTV network and its linear and digital video content business, along with Estrella Media’s digital channels, which included its four FAST channels—EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Cine EstrellaTV and Estrella Games. Also representing MediaCo Holding Inc. in a separate subsequent transaction in which it is acquiring 21 TV and radio stations affiliated with EstrellaTV’s content networks.
  • Defending numerous media and other companies in confidential FCC and DOJ investigations and enforcement proceedings.
  • Representing WLAJ-TV LLC in federal court litigation regarding a former tower site in Michigan.
  • Advising state broadcasters associations on state and federal legislative matters, including drafting legislative amendments, on numerous subjects including restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in political advertising and cannabis advertising.
  • Representing Shield Media LLC in litigation in federal courts in Louisiana and Michigan regarding DISH broadcast retransmission fees.
  • Representing Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in the sale by a private investor consortium of a majority interest in Univision Communications Inc. to Searchlight Capital Partners, LP and ForgeLight LLC, resulting in Grupo Televisa becoming Univision’s largest shareholder post-closing.
  • Representing Standard Media Group LLC in eight M&A transactions involving the acquisition and financing of TV and radio stations from various sellers with a combined value of over $140 million.
  • Representing Media General, Inc. in its $4.6 billion merger with Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc., including the sale of 12 television stations to address regulatory and antitrust concerns.
  • Representing the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations, as well as individual state broadcasters associations, on all federal and state regulatory, legislative and trade association matters, including obtaining numerous changes in the law on behalf of broadcasters.
  • Representing Univision Communications Inc. in the acquisition of 162 TV and radio stations through multiple transactions, including station group acquisitions leading to the launch of the Telefutura (now UniMás) national broadcast network and Univision Radio.
  • Representing broadcasters in multiple appellate litigation matters which successfully overturned federal communications laws as unconstitutional.
  • Representing the National Association of Broadcasters in matters before the Federal Communications Commission.
  • Representing New Young Broadcasting in its $2.2 billion merger with Media General, Inc.
  • Representing Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in obtaining the first-ever authorization from the FCC for a foreign entity to prospectively hold more than 25% of the shares of a large U.S. television broadcast company.
  • Representing Media General Inc. in its $2.6 billion merger with LIN Media LLC, including the sale of six television stations to address regulatory and antitrust concerns.
  • Representing Univision Communications Inc. in going public, as well as in the later sale of the company to a private investor consortium in a $13.7 billion transaction.
  • Representing Media General Inc. in a proposed $2.4 billion merger with Meredith Corporation, including the sale of six television stations to address regulatory and antitrust concerns.
  • Representing the University of Missouri on multiple noncommercial radio station acquisitions.
  • Long-term representation of national broadcast and cable networks on business and regulatory matters, including programming and intellectual property issues.
  • Representing numerous media entities in negotiations for programming and distribution rights.
  • Drafting legislation on media issues and securing enactment, as well as coordinating on behalf of media entities opposition to pending or planned legislation.
  • Negotiating and drafting cable and satellite retransmission agreements, as well as handling extensive carriage-related litigation, including several precedent-setting cases.
  • Litigating high-stakes matters for communications and non-communications companies involving media, telecommunications, and related laws.
  • Negotiating and drafting tower and studio leases for media companies, as well as network affiliation, programming, advertising and services agreements.
  • Structuring and negotiating programming production and distribution ventures.
  • Negotiating and drafting construction and usage agreements for communications-related infrastructure.

Professional Highlights

  • Recognized by Chambers USA for Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (2017 – 2024) and Media & Entertainment: Regulatory (2023 – 2024); by The Legal 500 U.S. for Telecom & Broadcast (2014 – 2024) and by Best Lawyers (published by BL Rankings LLC) for Communications Law (2018 – 2025).
  • Creator and chief editor of CommLawCenter.com, Pillsbury’s website for the communications industry; published in The National Law Journal, Multichannel News, Federal Communications Law Journal, American University Law Review and others.
  • Quoted in industry trade publications and mainstream media, such as Variety, AdWeek, USAToday, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, ABC, CBS, NPR and MSNBC, on communications topics.

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  • Speaking Engagements
    • “Navigating the FCC’s Political Broadcasting Rules in 2024,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, January 16, 2024.
    • “Legal, Legislative, and Regulatory Update Breakfast,” Illinois Broadcasters Association’s 2023 Annual Convention, Normal, Ill., October 24, 2023.
    • “Legislative, Legal & Regulatory Breakfast,” Illinois Broadcasters Association’s 2022 Annual Convention, Normal, Ill., October 25, 2022.
    • “A Sense of Renewal: Navigating the FCC’s Television License Renewal Process,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, February 9, 2022.
    • “Another Political Year: Complying with the FCC’s Political Broadcasting Rules, webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, January 12, 2022.
    • “A Sense of Renewal: Navigating the FCC’s Radio License Renewal Process,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, February 9, 2021.
    • “Pillsbury’s Broadcast Finance 2020 – The Pandemic Edition,” 2020 National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, webinar, October 7, 2020.

    • “New SBA Loans Available to Broadcasters under the CARES Act,” webinar, National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations, April 9, 2020.

    • “A 20/20 View of the Political Broadcasting Rules,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, January 15, 2020.

    • “When Taking Care of Business Requires Working Overtime: The Impact of New Overtime Regulations on Broadcasters,” webinar, National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations, December 3, 2019.

    • “Pillsbury’s Broadcast Finance 2019: Radio Unleashed—Preparing for a New Regulatory World,” panel discussion, 2019 National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, Dallas, September 24, 2019. Moderator.

    • “Looming Tower: To Sell or Not,” Texas Association of Broadcasters 66th Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 9, 2019.

    • “ABIP: Key to Compliance,” Texas Association of Broadcasters 66th Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 9, 2019.

    • “DC Legal Update,” Texas Association of Broadcasters 66th Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 9, 2019.

    • “Legislative, Legal & Regulatory Update,” Illinois Broadcasters Association’s 2019 Annual Convention, Springfield, Ill., June 13, 2019.

    • “A Sense of Renewal: Navigating the FCC’s License Renewal Process,” National Association of Broadcasters Video with FCC officials Barbara Kreisman, Albert Shuldiner and James Bradshaw, recorded April 30, 2019.

    • “Pillsbury’s Broadcast Finance 2018: Radio’s Debt Cloud Finally Lifts,” Leadership Breakfast panel discussion, 2018 National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, Orlando, September 26, 2018. Moderator.

    • “FCC Legal Update,” Texas Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention, Austin, August 2, 2018.

    • “Legal, Legislative and Regulatory Panel,” Illinois Broadcasters Association Annual Convention, Normal, Ill., June 6, 2018.

    • “You and #MeToo: Crisis Management for Media Companies Addressing Sexual Harassment Complaints,” webinar, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, March 20, 2018.

    • “Across the Finish Line: Meeting the March 1 Deadline to Move Your Public Inspection File Online,” webinar, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association, January 30, 2018.

    • “It’s Your Turn Now: Radio’s Transition to an Online Public Inspection File,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, November 15, 2017.

    • “The Changing Face of the FCC’s EEO Rules in 2017,” webinar, Massachusetts Broadcasters Association, October 18, 2017.

    • “Pillsbury’s Broadcast Finance 2017: Is Radio Ready for a New Deal?,” Leadership Breakfast panel discussion, 2017 National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, Austin, September 6, 2017. Moderator.

    • “It’s Your Turn Now: Radio’s Transition to an Online Public Inspection File,” Texas Association of Broadcasters’ Annual Convention & Trade Show 2017, Austin, August 9 – 10, 2017.

    • “Legal Matters Impacting Mass Media, Programming, Telecommunications, and Technology Companies,” Illinois Broadcasters Association Annual Convention 2017, Normal, Ill., June 27, 2017.

    • “Prospects for Radio as an Investment in 2017: The Real Street Talk” panel discussion, Radio Ink Forecast 2017 at the Harvard Club in NYC, Nov. 16, 2016. Moderator.

    • “Pillsbury’s Broadcast Finance Forecast – The 2016 Leadership Breakfast,” panel discussion at the 2016 National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2016. Moderator.

    • “New Measures of Vigilance for FCC Regulatory Compliance,” Texas Association of Broadcasters 63rd Annual Convention and Trade Show, Austin, August 10-11, 2016.

    • “When Taking Care of Business Requires Working Overtime,” webinar, National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations, June 22, 2016.

    • “Legal, Legislative and Regulatory Breakfast,” panel discussion, Illinois Broadcasters Association Convention, Champaign, Ill., June 14 – 15, 2016.

    • “Spectrum Auction Preparation: How Do You Get There from Here?” webinar, Broadcasting & Cable and TV Technology, November 5, 2015.

    • “Pillsbury’s Financing the Future of Radio,” panel discussion at the 2015 National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, Atlanta, September 30, 2015. Moderator.

    • “DC Regulatory Update,” Texas Association of Broadcasters 62nd Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 5 – 6, 2015.

    • “Emergency Crawls: Text to Speech,” Texas Association of Broadcasters 62nd Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 5 – 6, 2015.

    • “Navigating the FCC’s EEO Rules and Policies – A Guide for Broadcasters,” Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Convention, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., June 17, 2015.

    • “Regulatory Roundtable,” 60th Annual Vermont Association of Broadcasters Convention, Montpelier, Vt., May 28, 2015.

    • “Reviewing the Public Inspection File as It Moves Online,” webinar, National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations, January 28, 2015.

    • “Bloomberg Law Brief: Aereo Seeks New Status,” October 15, 2014.

    • “Auction 101: You CAN Get There from Here,” webinar, Broadcasting & Cable, October 8, 2014.

    • “Moving the Political File Online,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, June 3, 2014.

    • “Will the Aereo Case Force a Rewrite of Communications and Copyright Laws?,” webinar, Bloomberg BNA, January 16, 2014.

    • “EEO on the Road to Renewal: Seizing Your Last Chance to Avoid EEO Problems at License Renewal Time,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, February 23, 2013.

    • “Will the Aereo Case Force a Rewrite of Communications and Copyright Laws?” webinar, Bloomberg BNA, January 16, 2014.

    • “Current Issues and Concerns in Broadcast Advertising,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, November 21, 2013.

    • “Is Your Station Ready for License Renewal?,” webinar, Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, November 21, 2013.

    • “And the Answer Is: What Is Radio Regulatory Jeopardy?” panel discussion, 2013 National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, Orlando, Fla., September 18, 2013.

    • “Making It Work: A Broadcaster’s Guide to the FCC’s EEO Rule,” webinar, Massachusetts Broadcasters Association and the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters, May 30, 2013.

    • “EEO on the Road to Renewal: Seizing Your Last Chance to Avoid EEO Problems at License Renewal Time,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, February 20, 2013.

    • “The FCC’s Broadcast License Renewal Process,” webinar, Illinois Broadcasters Association and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, January 30, 2013.

    • “The Art of the Deal: Buying and Selling Broadcast Stations for Fun and Profit,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, December 4, 2012.

    • “The FCC’s New Online Public Inspection File Rule,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, November 8, 2012.

    • “DC Regulatory Update,” Texas Association of Broadcasters 59th Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 9, 2012.

    • “FCC Legislative and Regulatory Roundtable,” New Jersey Broadcasters Association 65th Annual Convention & Gala, Atlantic City, N.J., June 13, 2012.

    • “Retransmission Consent Panel,” American Cable Association Summit, Washington, DC, March 14, 2012.

    • “Playing by the Rules: A Broadcaster’s Guide to Contests and Sweepstakes,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, February 29, 2012.

    • “A Sense of Renewal: Navigating the FCC’s Broadcast License Renewal Process,” webinar, Illinois Broadcasters Association and Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, February 2, 2012.

    • “A Sense of Renewal: Navigating the FCC’s Broadcast License Renewal Process,” webinar, Indiana Broadcasters Association, October 11, 2011.

    • “Staying Ahead of the Curve: A Tour of Washington’s Monumental Communications Issues,” Nebraska Broadcasters Association Annual Convention, Omaha, Neb., August 17, 2011.

    • “FCC Compliance Panel,” Texas Association of Broadcasters/Society of Broadcast Engineers Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 10, 2011.

    • “Broadcaster Regulatory and Legislative Roundtable,” 2011 Mid-Atlantic States Broadcasters Conference, Atlantic City, N.J., June 21, 2011.

    • “The Restrictions on Underwriting Messages for Noncommercial Stations,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, December 16, 2010.

    • “Things That Go Bump in the File: A Halloween Guide to the Public Inspection File or How I Got Over My Fear of FCC Inspectors and Learned to Love the File,” webinar, Texas Association of Broadcasters, October 27, 2010.

    • “Staying Ahead of the Curve: A Tour of Washington’s Monumental Communications Issues,” Conference at the Indiana Broadcasters Association Annual Engineering/IT Workshop, October 13, 2010.

    • “EEO Programs and Compliance, September 21, 2010,” Massachusetts Broadcasters Association’s 2010 Annual Meeting, Worcester, Mass., September 21, 2010.

    • “Broadcast Spectrum in the Broadband Era,” Texas Association of Broadcasters/Society of Broadcast Engineers Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 12, 2010.

    • “FCC Regulatory Update: Trouble Ahead,” Texas Association of Broadcasters/Society of Broadcast Engineers Annual Convention & Trade Show, Austin, August 12, 2010.

    • “Citizens United: New Opportunity for Broadcasters,” Illinois Broadcasters Association Conference, Normal, Ill., June 16, 2010.

    • “Legislative Update,” Illinois Broadcasters Association Conference, Normal, Ill., June 16, 2010.

    • “Broadcaster Regulatory and Legislative Roundtable and FCC Summit Session,” 2010 Mid-Atlantic Broadcasters Conference, Atlantic City, N.J., June 9, 2010.

    • “Payola, Plugola & Rockola: One’s a Jukebox and the Other Two Will Get You Prison Time!,” Texas Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention and Trade Show, Austin, August 20, 2009.

    • Pre-2009 speaking engagements omitted.
  • Associations
    • Federal Communications Bar Association

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, 1988
    Editor-in-Chief, Federal Communications Law Journal, 1987-88; Editor, Law Review, 1987-88; Assistant Managing Editor, Federal Communications Law Journal, 1986-87, Externship, FCC, Office of the Chairman and Office of General Counsel 1987

    B.A., Telecommunications, Indiana University, 1985
    Summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

    California

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Clerkships

  • Summer Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 1986

Scott's Insights

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