George V. John
Senior Associate Global Regulatory
Languages
English
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
The Legal 500“Tony Lin [a Hogan Lovells alumnus] and George John are the absolute best – we’ve worked with them for years and recommend them to any satellite company looking for outside counsel.”
George John ensures regulations do not disrupt innovation and investment for established and emerging technologies particularly in the aerospace, telecommunications, sports, medical, and mobility industries.
Technologies empowering satellite connectivity, smartphone downloads, the monitoring of ball trajectory and speed or athlete biometrics at sporting events, real-time telehealth applications, and drone deliveries encounter U.S. and international regulation.
Operators of these and similar platforms regularly rely on George to navigate related legal, policy, and technical challenges. He advises clients on radiofrequency (RF) spectrum use, orbital debris mitigation, and remote sensing licensing while engaging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, national administrations outside the United States, and international standards bodies, including the International Telecommunication Union. Those interactions have helped him shape and streamline regulations on RF spectrum, the safety and sustainability of space, and Earth imagery; negotiate RF spectrum rights at international fora; and complete associated due diligence for venture-capital and private-equity investments.
Before joining Hogan Lovells, George served as in-house regulatory and transactional counsel for a pioneering nanosatellite company, where he secured satellite, earth station, and remote sensing licenses and negotiated satellite launch and insurance agreements. Other previous stops include the FCC's International Bureau Satellite Division, where he tackled satellite and earth station licensing and rulemakings, and the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Chief Counsel, where he undertook commercial space launch, reentry, launch site operation, and other aviation regulation projects.
Outside of work, George actively mentors young lawyers and others interested in space, telecommunications, and technology.
The Legal 500“Tony Lin [a Hogan Lovells alumnus] and George John are the absolute best – we’ve worked with them for years and recommend them to any satellite company looking for outside counsel.”
Representative experience
Helps pre-revenue and well-capitalized companies modernize requirements for RF spectrum licensing and auctions; Earth imaging; orbital debris mitigation; and government funding.
Procures RF spectrum licenses for satellites; earth stations; smartphones; sports equipment; medical devices; and platforms on airplanes, drones, cars, and other transport modes.
Secures experimental operating authority for industry disrupting technologies.
Obtains remote sensing licenses for Earth observation (panchromatic, hyperspectral, synthetic aperture radar, and other space-based applications).
Coordinates sharing of RF spectrum among commercial operators and with U.S. federal agencies (DOC, DOD, NASA, NOAA, NWS, and others).
Ensures investors make funding decisions that comply with domestic and international authorities’ rules on RF spectrum use and Earth observation.
Participates in federal advisory committee meetings that develop the public views of the U.S. administration on permissible international allocations for RF spectrum and related regulatory procedures.
Served as one of the youngest U.S. delegates at ITU WRC-19, a treaty-making meeting, and successfully garnered international support for protecting clients' RF spectrum rights.
Credentials
- J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 2016
- B.A., American University, 2013
- District of Columbia
- California
- Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
- Member, Forum on Air and Space Law, American Bar Association
- Member, Space & Satellite Professionals International
- Member, Washington Space Business Roundtable
- Member, South Asian Bar Association of Washington, D.C.
- Member, South Asians in Sports