Jacqueline McHugh
Partner
Mrs. McHugh is a Partner of the firm, counseling clients on a variety of regulatory, tax and transactional matters. Mrs. McHugh is also an experienced litigator and a member of the firm’s Litigation team, focusing her litigation skills on complex civil and administrative matters.
Biography
Jaqueline R McHugh (Jackie) is a Partner of the firm, counseling clients on a variety of regulatory, tax, and transactional matters. Ms. McHugh is also an experienced litigator and a member of the firm’s Litigation team, focusing her litigation skills on complex civil and administrative matters. Ms. McHugh advises a wide range of companies, including VoIP service providers, competitive carriers, UCaaS/unified communications services providers, software/SaaS providers, technology and application service providers and developers, wireless/MVNOs, Internet access, satellite, and prepaid providers, among others.
In her regulatory/tax practice, Ms. McHugh counsels clients regarding the regulatory and tax treatment of:
- Electronic commerce, cloud computing/Software as a Service (SaaS), Communications as a Service (CaaS), Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), and mobile apps
- Advanced communications services and technologies (including I-VoIP & non-interconnected VoIP)
- Wireless services (voice, data & SMS)
- Satellite communications
- Prepaid calling cards, PINless calling & international services
- Money services/transfer businesses
- Competitive long-distance and local services (& other legacy offerings)
- New and developing technologies
Moreover, Ms. McHugh defends clients in investigations and audits by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), and advises clients on ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, including the FCC’s CPNI rules, E911 regulations, and universal service program contribution requirements. Ms. McHugh also assists clients with the drafting and negotiation of a wide variety of commercial agreements. In addition, Ms. McHugh counsels clients on the taxation and regulation of advanced communications services, including cloud-based and IP-enabled services.
As a litigator, Ms. McHugh has represented clients in state and federal courts, and before state and federal tribunals in administrative matters. Ms. McHugh’s litigation experience includes arguing for clients before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Publications
Ms. McHugh co-authored multiple law review articles pertaining to the FCC, USAC and the Universal Service Fund:
- “Confusion, Uncertainty, and Fear: How the FCC’s Increased Reliance on Adjudication Is Harming Carriers, Competition, Consumers, and Investment,” Federal Communications Law Journal, Volume 68, Issue 2, August 2016
- “Mis-Administration and Misadventures of the Universal Service Fund: A Case Study in the Importance of the Administrative Procedure Act to Government Agency Rulemaking,” CommLaw Conspectus, Journal of Communications Law and Policy, Volume 20, Issue 1, June 2011.
Ms. McHugh served as Managing Editor for the prestigious Journal of Law, Economics & Policy at George Mason University School of Law.
Education
Ms. McHugh joined the firm after graduating from the George Mason University School of Law. Ms. McHugh’s legal education focused on communications and business law.
Admissions
Ms. McHugh is admitted to practice in Virginia, and before the United States Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia and Federal Circuits.
