After 45 years of service, the general counsel at privately held broadcasting company Morgan Murphy Media has announced he will retire at the end of the year.
Ready to fill his shoes is the media attorney who has conducted legal consulting work for the company for decades.
Richard Burns, a member of the family that controls Morgan Murphy Media, will be succeeded by Rini O’Neil partner Jonathan Allen.
“It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the Murphy family for
nearly a half century,” Burns said. “I will miss my regular contact with the employees of the Morgan Murphy Media family, particularly with the corporate office and managers. Jon is the ideal person to oversee the company’s legal matters. I know Jon will continue to defend our First Amendment rights to provide quality news and information to the communities we serve and stay on all emerging trends in media technology. He is a bright, seasoned attorney with a quick wit.”
Burns started working for the family with various legal projects as outside counsel before being named MMM’s General Counsel in 1984. Since then, he’s overseen all legal issues and served on the company’s board of directors.
“I want to thank Richard for his unwavering support for me, my family and this company,” said Morgan Murphy Media President/CEO Elizabeth Murphy Burns. “His contributions have been immense.”
Allen has worked with Morgan Murphy Media since 2000 handling FCC regulatory matters and other legal consultation. He has provided legal, strategic and business guidance to broadcasters, broadband providers, and other clients in communications and technology industries.
“It’s an honor to take on this new role in support of the family’s long-standing and widely recognized commitment to community service,” said Allen. “Many thanks to Richard Burns for his guidance and leadership.”
Allen’s practice focuses on wireless, Internet, broadband, technology, media and broadcast matters; He provides strategic and legal guidance regarding Commission regulations, licensing and policy for matters such as spectrum acquisition, risk assessment, due diligence, regulatory compliance, litigation, and franchising.
Burns will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors and is being named a special advisor to the executive team.
