Robert Stankey

Partner

Bob Stankey focuses on telecommunications, media, and technology law. He has an in-depth knowledge of privacy and telecom regulation in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He counsels clients on commercial contracts and legal compliance matters. A former senior in-house lawyer in the U.S. and Europe, he practiced with two international firms in London and is qualified to practice in the U.S. and the U.K.

Practice Highlights

Data protection, privacy and security

Advising on compliance with data protection laws such as GDPR, EU-U.S. Data Protection Framework, and related rules governing electronic marketing and behavioral advertising for clients in media, ad tech, healthcare, online marketing, telecom and retail sectors.

Telecom and technology regulation

Assisting on international telecom matters for global technology companies launching new products and for startups expanding internationally, with a focus on licensing, public safety, legal intercept and incident reporting requirements related to VoIP, OTT communications and messaging apps.

Agreements for privacy compliance and technology/telecom services

Negotiating and drafting commercial agreements for technology and telecom services and data processing agreements, including cross-border data transfer arrangements for compliance with GDPR and other foreign data protection laws.

Representative Experience

Advising on the launch of ground station services targeting earth observation satellite operators, including licensing and market access issues in the U.S. and internationally
Advising on EU data protection and online marketing compliance for clients in the technology and media industries
Negotiating data processing agreements, structuring cross-border data transfer arrangements (including standard contractual clauses), and analyzing data localization requirements for cloud service providers
Negotiating service agreements and assessing regulatory risks for international launches of over-the-top communications and content services
Obtaining licenses, authorizations and number allocations in Europe for mobile communications services, VoIP providers, and special-event TV broadcasting
Advising on U.S. telecom licensing, regulatory compliance, taxes, and privacy obligations for enterprise cloud communications services and VoIP providers
Counseling on encryption controls and communications interception and metadata retention requirements under U.S., U.K., and European laws
Analyzing impact of proposed EU General Data Protection Regulation on the provision of cloud services
Advising U.K. television channel on its launch of a U.S. cable channel and related content portal and online store
Preparing global surveys of privacy, security, telecom and content liability laws for online service providers
Conducting a privacy law assessment for the launch of new mobile analytics services under U.S., EU, and major Asian markets, applying emerging rules on location-based services and the Internet of Things

Admitted to Practice

District of Columbia
Virginia
England and Wales

Education

J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1990
M.B.A., Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, 1990
B.A., Economics and Government, University of Virginia, 1986, with distinction

Memberships & Affiliations

- International Technology Law Association

Professional Recognition

- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Telecom, Broadcast, & Satellite (District of Columbia) by Chambers USA, 2013, 2014
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Communications Law, 2025-present
- Who's Who Legal: Telecommunications Media & Technology, 2015

Background

- Partner, Media and Technology Group, Reed Smith LLP, London, 2007-2010
- Special Counsel, IT/IP Group, Covington & Burling LLP, London, 2003-2007
- Associate General Counsel, AOL Europe, America Online, Inc., Dulles, Va., and London, 1999-2003
- General Counsel, Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc., McLean, Va., 1998-1999
- Assistant General Counsel, CyberCash, Inc., Reston, Va., 1996-1998
- Associate, Hogan & Hartson LLP, Washington, D.C., 1990-1996