Hawaii’s false missile alert stemmed from lack of safeguards and human error, including a Hawaii Emergency Management Agency employee who repeatedly confused drills and real alerts, said reports from the Public Safety Bureau at an FCC commissioners' meeting and later Tuesday from Bruce Oliveira, the retired brigadier general investigating for HI-EMA (see 1801250061). That staffer was fired and other employees were disciplined. Members of Congress told us they continue to be concerned, as are FCC members.
Gone are the days when few firms had more than 20 lawyers, but the communications field is far more inclusive than it once was, veteran communications lawyers said at an FCBA event Wednesday. The anecdote-laden talks involved many career tips from long-time practitioners for new lawyers. Networking is a must-do, said Wiley Rein co-founder Richard Wiley. He was famous for knowing secretaries' names at the FCC, said Diane Cornell, who most recently was special counsel to former Chairman Tom Wheeler. Cornell said reputation is a key lawyer asset that can easily get tarnished. "Don't screw people over," she said. "Don't lie." Former Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy said emails and texts largely replaced phone calls and in-face conversations, but prompt replies demanded by etiquette remain. Many talked up mentorships but said older lawyers can learn from younger peers. Talking about changes in overtime, Covington & Burling retired broadcast lawyer Jonathan Blake said when he started in the 1960s, partners filled out time sheets annually, and it was unheard of for law firms based elsewhere to practice in Washington. Discussing how to stay abreast of changing technologies, Abernathy said she made in-house engineers "my best friends." She advised lawyers to set up meetings between the FCC and clients working on noteworthy tech even if there's no advocacy on a proceeding but as a means of making connections. When at the agency, she said, "I loved those kinds of presentations." Blake said lobbying where one takes up more than 60 percent of the conversation is a bad session and there needs to be plenty of question asking. Overreach in lobbying "is the kiss of death," he said.
Congress was on the path Monday toward ending a three-day government shutdown, which already had widely varying impacts on communications-policy agencies. Senators voted 81-18 at our deadline to pass a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through Feb. 8, after a bipartisan group of negotiators worked out a deal to debate immigration legislation. The shutdown began at midnight Friday after Senate Democrats voted overwhelmingly against cloture on a slightly longer CR amid disagreements with Republican leaders on immigration and other issues (see 1801190055). The House was also set to vote on the shortened CR later Monday.
Arnold & Porter hires Chris Dodd, ex-MPAA, as senior counsel-Legislative and Public Policy group, working on issues including media and entertainment, intellectual property, data privacy and telecom ... Fletcher Heald adds broadcast attorney Mark Lipp, ex-Wiley Rein, to broadcast and media practice ... Telecommunications Industry Association promotes Ashley Simmons to senior director-external affairs, and she tells us the new department she heads includes the association’s brand, public affairs, communications and marketing efforts.
Drones weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds must be registered with the FAA, due to new rules included in the National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Donald Trump Dec. 12, Wiley Rein blogged Monday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in May vacated a previous rule requiring drone registration (see 1705190052). The defense bill reinstated the rule, instituted to increase security and safety with small drone operations, the communications law firm said. Failure to comply with the new law could result in civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties including fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment up to three years.
Media Institute announces retirement of Patrick Maines, as expected (see 1711290048), effective Jan. 2; board Tuesday named him president emeritus; he's succeeded by Media Institute Executive Director Richard Kaplar, who runs the organization and keeps current title; Richard Wiley remains chairman ... 21st Century Fox promotes Uday Shankar to president-Asia, including media/entertainment properties and digital video platform Hotstar; Fox Networks Group Asia President Zubin Gandevia continues overseeing video brands across 14 markets and now reports to Shankar.
An FCC draft order to undo Title II net neutrality appears legally strong, said some attorneys on a Phoenix Center panel, but another questioned aspects. Chairman Ajit Pai's draft to restore a less-regulatory Communications Act Title I broadband framework has precedent, deference and investment arguments in its favor, said Tom Navin, a Wiley Rein attorney and ex-Wireline Bureau chief. At around the same time Tuesday, a pro-Title II panel was held (see 1712050057).
Internet Association adds Seattle office with hire of Rose Feliciano, who led the city's government relations, as manager-state government affairs, Northwest region ... Aspen Institute next president-CEO: Daniel Porterfield, president of Franklin & Marshall College; succeeding Walter Isaacson, effective June 1 ... Thompson Hine hires Steven Stransky, ex-National Security Council, as senior counsel-Privacy & Cybersecurity and Business Litigation groups ... Electronic Components Industry Association hires supply chain industry veteran Don Elario as vice president-industry practices and head of group's new Global Industry Practices Council.
AT&T hires O'Melveny & Myers media lawyer Daniel Petrocelli as lead trial counsel in case DOJ sues to block company's buy of Time Warner (see 1711170059) ... Wiley Rein promotions to partner include, effective Jan. 1, Katy Ross, in Telecom, Media & Technology and Unmanned Aircraft Systems practices; and Jeremy Schofer, in Corporate Practice and also in TMT ... Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appoints Arthur D’Andrea (see 1711170029), his ex-assistant general counsel, a public utility commissioner; term ends Sept. 1, 2023; he was sworn in Wednesday.
During the first weeks of Ajit Pai’s tenure as FCC chairman he was particularly active in meeting with the media and with lawmakers, according to a Special Report analysis of his appointment calendar obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. Pai, like predecessor Tom Wheeler, also had many meetings in those early weeks with telco and media interests, with Pai early on more active gathering with public interest groups.