Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer JKramer@chwlaw.us
(310) 405-7333

Dr. Jonathan L. Kramer is Of Counsel to Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley. He is based in CHW’s Pasadena office. Dr. Kramer, a radio frequency, broadband, and cable telecommunications engineer with nearly 50 years of experience, has been a member of the California Bar since 2006, and the New Mexico Bar since 2013.

From 1984 through 2006, Jonathan served as a telecom advisor and inspector for over 700 local, state, and federal government agencies throughout the U.S., as well as an advisor to the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps. 

The holder of seven FCC licenses and certifications (some dating back 50+ years), as well as being licensed as a C7 Communications Contractor in California (for over 40 years),  Jonathan has been involved in the permitting, construction, supervision, and/or inspection of over 100,000 miles of outside cable, fiber plant, and over 7,000 cell sites in the U.S. 

Dr. Kramer is also licensed as a real estate broker in California, and he holds a FAA Part 107 UAV pilot certificate.

Appointed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisor, Jonathan was the government-side co-chair of the government-industry engineering committee that developed the national cable TV technical standards adopted by the FCC in 47 C.F.R. 76 Subpart K. 

As a telecom technology expert, and later as an attorney, Jonathan has been involved in over 40 major telecom litigation matters in roles varying from expert witness to litigation counsel. Notably, he was the FCC’s and US DOJ’s cable TV technology expert in Playboy Ent. v. U.S. (US District Court for the District of Delaware – 30 F. Supp. 2d 702 (D. Del. 1998)) regarding the effective scrambling of adult channels on cable TV systems.

Kramer has also been responsible for creating wireless and cable ordinances for local governments around the U.S.

Jonathan has: 

  • Advised planning and community development departments, Planning Commissions, and City Councils on wireless and communications projects and on specific and comprehensive amendments to wireless ordinances;
  • Negotiated and drafted dozens of wireless site leases on behalf of local governments and local agencies acting in their proprietary capacities as landowners;
  • Conducted wireless site inspections on behalf of private and public landlords detecting and resolving unpermitted construction, and unpermitted modifications to those sites; 
  • Taught over 100 continuing legal education (CLE) courses to land use attorneys regarding telecommunication site leasing, as well as federal and state wireless siting regulations;
  • Trained hundred of local government planners through the American Planning Association in California and New Mexico in connection with wireless facility siting and permitting; 
  • Co-authored and co-edited the FCC’s “A Local Government Official’s Guide to Transmitting Antenna RF Emission Safety: Rules, Procedures, and Practical Guidance” and
  • Authored articles on wireless law and policy.

Jonathan earned his J.D. cum laude from the Abraham Lincoln University School of Law (Los Angeles). Post-JD, he continued his education earning a Master of Law degree in Telecom and Information Technology Law with distinction from Strathclyde University (Glasgow). Kramer completed his terminal degree as a Doctor of Law and Policy earned at Northeastern University (Boston).

Prior to joining Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, P.C. in 2025, in 2006 Dr. Kramer founded and served as Senior Partner at Telecom Law Firm, P.C from 2006 to 2025. From 1984 to 2006, Dr. Kramer was a telecom technology advisor through his own consultancy.

Dr. Kramer is a Fellow Member of the SCTE (E.U. Society); a Senior Member Emeritus of the SCTE (U.S. Society); a Senior Member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers; a Life Member of the American Radio Relay League; and a 40-year member of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (where he holds the distinction of being NATOA’s only twice-recognized Member of the Year).

Practice Areas:

  • Telecommunications Law;
  • Public Law related to Communications;
  • Telecom Land Use/Leasing;
  • Telecom Right of Way Construction;
  • Radio Frequency Safety Regulation;  
  • ADA and Inverse Condemnations related to Telecom;
  • Amateur Radio Regulation; 
  • Billboard leasing on behalf of landowners.

Public Service:

  • California Lawyers Association, Public Law Section Executive Committee Member (2024-2026)

Detailed CV:

Dr. Kramer’s detailed CV (updated May 2025) may be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.