- 2 top D.C. telecom attorneys added to Scale LLP’s regulatory team
- Decades of combined expertise in FCC and state PUC matters
- NewLaw model attracts high-profile talent with flexible, distributed structure
Experts would likely conclude that Scale LLP’s strategic hire of Rule and Donahue significantly strengthens its position in the competitive telecom regulatory market, leveraging the ‘NewLaw’ model to attract top talent and challenge traditional firms.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 20, 2026 – National law firm Scale LLP has significantly bolstered its regulatory capabilities, announcing the addition of esteemed D.C.-based telecommunications attorneys Allison Rule and Michael Donahue as partners. The move signals a strategic and aggressive expansion into the increasingly complex and lucrative legal market surrounding technology and communications, a sector governed by a labyrinth of federal and state rules.
Rule and Donahue, who previously practiced together at the boutique firm Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, bring a formidable joint practice to Scale. Their arrival provides the firm with a deep bench of expertise in matters before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), state public utility commissions (PUCs), and the evolving landscape of digital compliance. For a firm built on a modern, distributed model, this high-profile hire underscores its ability to compete for top-tier talent and challenge the dominance of traditional, long-established legal powerhouses.
“Allison and Michael bring a highly specialized and growing telecom practice to Scale,” said David Reidy, Managing Partner at Scale, in a statement. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome this amazing team and to add even more strength to our transactional and regulatory practices.”
A Strategic Move into a Complex Market
The decision to bring on Rule and Donahue is a calculated maneuver in a legal field defined by high stakes and constant change. The technology and communications industries are navigating a period of unprecedented regulatory scrutiny. Companies offering services from Voice over IP (VoIP) and cloud-based platforms to wireless and satellite communications face a dizzying array of compliance obligations, taxation issues, and potential enforcement actions.
This environment has created soaring demand for specialized legal counsel that can guide businesses through the digital maze. Scale’s move positions it to directly compete with established D.C. regulatory giants like Wilkinson Barker Knauer (WBK) and Lerman Senter, firms that have long dominated the communications law landscape. By integrating a ready-made, high-performing team, Scale bypasses the years it would take to build such a practice organically, immediately establishing itself as a credible player for sophisticated tech and telecom clients.
The addition is not merely about adding headcount; it is about acquiring deep, nuanced expertise. The legal challenges facing the sector are not theoretical. They involve tangible business risks, from navigating audits and enforcement actions to ensuring new technologies can be brought to market in a compliant manner. By securing a team with a proven track record in these exact areas, Scale is making a clear statement about its ambitions in the national regulatory arena.
A Powerhouse Duo with Decades of Expertise
Allison Rule and Michael Donahue are not just new partners; they are recognized leaders in their field, bringing a wealth of experience that is both broad and deep. Their combined expertise addresses the entire lifecycle of a technology or communications company’s legal needs.
Allison Rule has built a reputation for her incisive counsel on the regulatory and tax treatment of modern communications services. Her practice focuses on the complex compliance challenges facing VoIP, SaaS, and cloud platform providers—some of the fastest-growing and most heavily regulated segments of the industry. She represents clients in high-stakes disputes before federal and state bodies and provides critical guidance on commercial agreements and operational matters. Her background, which includes a J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law, has equipped her to handle everything from due diligence in M&A transactions to representing clients in court.
Michael Donahue brings nearly three decades of experience, having served as both in-house and outside counsel for clients ranging from agile startups to Fortune 500 corporations. His career includes time as senior counsel for a nationwide internet provider and at the prominent D.C. firm Swidler & Berlin before co-founding his own practice. Donahue’s expertise spans telecommunications regulation, data privacy and security, and a wide array of strategic transactions, including mergers, financings, and critical infrastructure agreements. His ability to navigate complex licensing and regulatory approvals at both federal and state levels makes him an invaluable asset for companies looking to scale or enter new markets.
The Allure of the ‘NewLaw’ Model
The migration of such an established team to Scale LLP speaks volumes about a broader shift occurring within the legal industry. Rule and Donahue’s decision was heavily influenced by Scale’s modern, distributed structure—a model that eschews the high overhead and rigid hierarchy of traditional brick-and-mortar law firms.
This “NewLaw” model, built on a tech-forward and remote-first platform, offers senior attorneys greater autonomy, flexibility, and a more favorable economic arrangement by reducing non-essential overhead. For clients, it translates into access to elite, partner-level talent at more competitive price points.
“The Scale model aligns closely with how we work and how our clients operate,” said Donahue, highlighting the synergy between the firm’s structure and the needs of modern businesses. “It allows us to continue delivering practical, business-focused legal advice while having access to a broader team to support clients as their needs grow.”
Rule echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the benefits for their practice and clients. “This move enables us to expand what we can offer clients without changing the way we work,” she added. Their statements underscore a key advantage of the distributed model: it empowers experienced attorneys to focus on practicing law and serving clients, free from the administrative burdens and internal politics that can bog down traditional firms.
This model is proving to be a powerful magnet for top talent. It attracts entrepreneurial lawyers who have already built successful practices and are seeking a more efficient and rewarding platform for the next phase of their careers. By providing robust back-end support—including billing, technology, and compliance—Scale allows its partners to thrive in a collaborative yet independent environment.