New York, NY – October 18, 2004 LAWFUEL – Law, legal, attorney, law firm news– The international law firm of Chadbourne & Parke LLP announced today that Michael H. Salsbury, 54, previously executive vice president and general counsel of MCI Communications Corp. and of WorldCom, Inc., has been elected to the partnership. He will be based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C., office.
At MCI and WorldCom, Mr. Salsbury was responsible for a global staff of more than 250 professionals and the companies’ commercial, regulatory, and government relations worldwide. During his tenure, the companies saw significant developments, including the passage of the first rewrite of the Telecom Act in 50 years, a joint venture and merger discussions with British Telecom (BT), and MCI’s merger with WorldCom. His experience also encompasses administrative litigation, competition law, and merger review proceedings in the United States and in the European Union.
“Mike’s sophisticated regulatory and policy competencies and the depth of his knowledge about the telecommunications industry will complement our telecommunications and corporate practices,” said Charles K. O’Neill, the Firm’s managing partner. “We are delighted by the broad range of telecom experience that Mike adds as we build enhanced capabilities to service our clients both in the United States and abroad. In addition, his experience shepherding WorldCom through its Chapter 11 proceedings will enhance our already vibrant bankruptcy practice, particularly with regard to telecom restructurings.”
“As the telecom industry continues to evolve, Mike’s arrival significantly enhances our ability to meet the needs of our telecom clients,” commented Dana Frix, co-chair of the Firm’s telecommunications and technology practice. “The breadth of Mike’s experience representing competitive telecom interests on corporate, regulatory, and litigation matters is unparalleled in the industry and provides him unique and valuable insights that will help guide our clients during a period of dramatic change in the telecom industry. Also, it is rare to find counsel in this industry with Mike’s experience with large institutional transactions.”
Mr. Salsbury was involved in MCI’s (and then WorldCom’s) legal affairs for approximately 24 years. During that period, as both outside counsel and as general counsel, he represented six CEOs on issues ranging from civil and administrative litigation to complex corporate transactions. Mr. Salsbury was lead counsel at MCI for many significant transactions, including: a $2 billion investment by MCI in News Corp.; a $4.2 billion investment in MCI by BT; the $650 million sale of MCI’s internet business to Cable & Wireless; a $21 billion proposed BT-MCI merger; a planned global alliance between MCI, BT, and Telefonica; and the $35 billion WorldCom-MCI merger.
“One of the really impressive things we have found about Mike is the sterling reputation he possesses with those who were in a position to work with him over the years,” said Mr. Frix. “We always knew him to be one of the most prominent and respected lawyers in the telecommunications industry, but it was truly gratifying to reach out to others from MCI and elsewhere and hear their regard for his abilities and character.”
“I am thrilled to join the Firm’s partnership,” Mr. Salsbury said. “Chadbourne & Parke offered me an opportunity to become part of an energetic team, and the scope of the Firm’s practice offers a wide outlet to contribute during a time when we expect significant consolidation within the domestic and foreign telecom sectors that will fundamentally change the structure and operation of communication services markets. I look forward to working with co-chairs Dana Frix and Hwan Kim and expanding Chadbourne’s telecom and corporate practices by assisting with transactions as these changes take place within the industry,” Mr. Salsbury stated.
Mr. Salsbury earned his J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Virginia.
About Chadbourne & Parke LLP
Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm headquartered in New York City, provides a full range of legal services, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, project finance, corporate finance, energy, telecommunications, commercial and products liability litigation, securities litigation and regulatory enforcement, white collar defense, intellectual property, antitrust, domestic and international tax, reinsurance and insurance, environmental, real estate, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, employment law and ERISA, trusts and estates and government contract matters. The Firm has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Houston, Moscow, Kyiv, Warsaw (through a Polish partnership), Beijing and a multinational partnership, Chadbourne & Parke, in London. For additional information, visit www.chadbourne.com.
