Wiley Rein Hosts Federal Communications Bar Discussion on Net Neutrality and the Path Ahead

March 29, 2015

Wiley Rein LLP is hosting a net neutrality discussion on Monday, March 30, from 6:00pm to 8:15pm, featuring a variety of distinguished speakers in back-to-back panels, one that will be moderated by partner and former FCC commissioner Robert M. McDowell, and the other by partner Brett A. Shumate. The CLE seminar, entitled “Understanding Net Neutrality and the Path Ahead,” will be presented jointly by the Judicial Practice, Wireline, and Wireless Committees of the Federal Communicati​ons Bar Association (FCBA). The event is open to members of the FCBA, and registration is required. Wiley Rein partner Joshua S. Turner took a lead role in organizing the program.

The discussion will focus on the debate over net neutrality, which has turned “Title II” into 2014’s most unlikely household word—and examine what may lie ahead in 2015. Now that the FCC has released its order reclassifying broadband, there is a clearer picture of how the agency intends to regulate this key sector of the economy going forward. Mr. Shumate’s panel will concentrate on the nuts and bolts of the new regulations. Mr. McDowell’s panel will cover the reactions of various stakeholders in the process and discuss whether the FCC’s order has gone too far, not far enough, or has managed to hit the mark.

PROGRAM

Introduction - 6:00pm                            

Welcome, Introductions, and Brief Summary of the Order by Matt DelNero, Deputy Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission.

Panel One - 6:20-7:10pm

“The Nuts and Bolts of Title II Reclassification”

Moderator: Brett Shumate, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP

 Speakers:

• Brita D. Strandberg, Partner, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP
• Nicholas Degani, Legal Advisor, Office of Commissioner Ajit Pai
• Sean Lev, Partner, Kellogg Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel, PLLC

Break - 7:10pm

Panel Two - 7:20–8:15pm          

“Broadband Reclassification—Stakeholder Reactions”

Moderator: Robert McDowell, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP

Speakers:

• Kim Keenan, CEO, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council
• Berin Szoka, President, Tech Freedom
• Pantelis Michalopoulos, Partner, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
• Scott Bergmann, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA
• Jodie Griffin, Senior Staff Attorney, Public Knowledge
• Michael Scurato, Policy Director, National Hispanic Media Coalition

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