Womble Bond Dickinson’s John Garziglia Honored as One of the Broadcasting Industry’s Top 10 Attorneys

WASHINGTON, DC—Radio stations and broadcasters’ associations all across the country rely on Womble Bond Dickinson’s John Garziglia to guide them through their most important transactions and regulatory compliance issues. The veteran telecom attorney also is one of the radio industry’s most prominent legal voices, speaking and writing extensively about issues relevant to the business of broadcasting.

For these efforts, Radio + Television Business Report has recognized Garziglia as one of the industry’s top 10 attorneys. The winners were voted on by Radio + Television Business Report readers, who are industry insiders in television and radio.

Garziglia’s love of radio started at a young age. He worked on the college radio at St. Louis University as a student, then served in on-air and program director roles at stations in St. Louis and Washington, DC before law school.

He began his legal career in 1983 with the FCC. There, he processed AM radio station assignment and transfer applications and then worked in the FCC’s Hearing Branch.

In late 1984, Garziglia moved into private practice, where he has spent the past 35 years representing radio broadcasters.

“Of those receiving nominations, Garziglia was an overwhelming favorite,” Radio + Television Business Report writes. “Much of this industry recognition is tied to his work on, among other things, spearheading AM revitalization by enabling numerous AM stations to acquire FM translators and, most recently, assisting a group of 82 broadcasters in seeking to reduce burdensome FCC EEO paperwork. He also guides stations in mergers and acquisitions, license renewals, FCC auctions, and licensing and regulatory compliance matters.”

As far as the future goes, Garziglia said that the future of the radio industry depends on consumers having easy access to it, even though the technology delivering the music, sports and news radio broadcasts may change.

“Our industry's future success depends upon radio continuing to be everywhere,” Garziglia said. “Radio must not lose its ubiquity. In the home, in the workplace, in the car and everywhere else, radio must remain available and accessible.”