Marcus W. Trathen

Marcus W. Trathen

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008
Awarded Practice Areas
First Amendment Law Media Law Utilities Law
Awarded Practice Areas
First Amendment Law Media Law Utilities Law
Works at
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

63 Best Lawyers awards

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP logo

Biography

A trusted advisor, Marcus Trathen focuses his practice in the fields of communications law, utilities regulation, mass media, the Internet, intellectual property, and legislative representation.

Marcus counsels clients on a variety of issues, including telecommunications regulation, media and the First Amendment, Internet law and regulation, and broadcast licensing and regulation.

Marcus advises businesses on complex matters related to intellectual property licensing.

Marcus has extensive experience representing clients before the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Works at
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

63 Best Lawyers awards

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP logo

Locations

Education

  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, JD, graduated 1990
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, graduated 1987

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina, United States

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals - 4th and D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. District Court - Middle District of North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of North Carolina

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Federal Communications Bar Association - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - First Amendment Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - First Amendment Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - First Amendment Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • First Amendment Law, Raleigh (2025)
  • First Amendment Law, Raleigh (2023)
  • First Amendment Law, Raleigh (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • First Amendment Law
  • Media Law
  • Utilities Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Communications Law
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Technology Law
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19
Awards:
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in First Amendment Law (2008-2025) (Raleigh "Lawyer of the Year" 2021, 2023, 2025), Media Law (2023-2025), Utilities Law (2025)

  • Recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Energy & Natural Resources Law (2025)

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