Joseph Van Eaton is a Partner in Miller and Van Eaton, P.L.L.C. and received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979, and his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in 1975 from Syracuse University. He specializes in representing municipalities on a broad range of communications issues in federal and state courts, before federal and state agencies and at the negotiating table. He has helped communities develop wireline and wireless communications ordinances; negotiated franchises for cable and telecommunications service providers; assisted communities in developing their own communications networks; and successfully defended local government efforts to establish and operate municipally-owned systems.

He has significant litigation and appellate experience, and has successfully argued cases in most of the U.S. Courts of Appeals, and before several state Supreme Courts. He has served as a special appointee to the board of directors of the Alliance for Community Media, and is the recipient of the George Stoney Award, the IMLA President's Award and the NATOA Ovation Award.