Chris Imlay, the long-time General Counsel for the Society of Broadcast Engineers, plans to retire at the end of this year. He’s worked with the SBE since 1980, and has been the SBE’s general counsel since 1991.
SBE President Wayne Pecena said: “Chris Imlay has been a valuable resource for and asset to the SBE over the past 41 years. He has also been a staunch advocate for the SBE’s goals and objectives. He is a tough act to follow.” Continue Reading
Imlay began practicing communications law in 1979 when he joined the firm Booth and Freret. His first SBE project in 1980 was the SBE’s effort to administratively appeal the FCC decision to eliminate the First Class Radiotelephone License. Imlay is now managing member, Booth, Freret & Imlay, LLC. In addition to broadcasters, the law firm is also retained by communications tower owners, defense contracting companies, cable systems, colleges and universities, and video production companies for advice on telecommunications, radio spectrum management issues, and land use regulation.
Imlay has worked with 22 SBE presidents. He was elected a Fellow of the SBE in 1997. He says that this remains the most important honor he has been given during his professional career, according to the organization. He has also served as president of the Foundation for Amateur Radio.
While Imlay is relinquishing his SBE responsibilities, he will continue to work part-time for long-term clients as he winds down his practice. Reflecting on his career, he said, “I have, generally speaking, been a down in the trenches communications lawyer. I have valued my work with the SBE, as it has allowed me to do what I do best: defending spectrum allocations of clients and participating in technical regulatory proceedings. I have always been most comfortable working with broadcast engineers.”
The SBE will begin the process to find a replacement communications counsel.
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