Michael H. Salsbury

Of Counsel

Practice Description

Michael Salsbury is Chair of the Firm’s communications and technology practice. He focuses on administrative litigation, intellectual property, competition law and merger review proceedings in the United States and the European Union. He has extensive experience in structuring M&A deals; advising on public policy, regulatory strategy and competitors’ trade practices; and handling matters with respect to commercial disputes, including civil litigation.

Mr. Salsbury previously was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MCI Communications Corp., where he was responsible for the company’s commercial, regulatory and government affairs worldwide.

Representative Matters

• Represented MCI with respect to:
  • $2 billion investment in News Corporation.
  • $4.3 billion investment in MCI by British Telecom (BT).
  • $650 million sale of internet business to Cable & Wireless.
  • Proposed $21 billion BT-MCI merger and a planned global alliance between MCI, BT and Telefonica.
  • $35 billion WorldCom-MCI merger.
  • Litigation and settlement of $500 million patent infringement claims between MCI and AT&T.
• Led legal teams in:
  • Negotiations of $350+ million settlements of landmark MCI v. AT&T case and related litigation. 
  • Proposed $115 billion WorldCom-Sprint merger.
  • Representation of MCI and competitive telecommunications providers in U.S. v. AT&T divestiture proceedings.
  • Defense of MCI against $200 million in civil claims by Cable & Wireless and against $250 million arbitration demand by EDS.
• Served as lead telecom industry negotiator with members of Congress and committee staff for Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Publications