Jacquelynn Ruff, Industry Leader in Global Telecom and Technology Policy, Joins Wiley Rein

February 7, 2019

Washington, DC — Wiley Rein LLP announced today that Jacquelynn Ruff, former Vice President of International Government Relations and Policy at Verizon Communications, has joined the firm’s Telecom, Media & Technology (TMT) Practice as consulting counsel. A longtime industry leader in complex and evolving communications policy issues, Ms. Ruff will provide clients with legal, regulatory, and public policy guidance on international issues impacting the telecommunications, media, and technology industries.

“Jackie is a highly regarded advisor for solving difficult issues regarding global communications and Internet matters, and an impressive advocate on the international stage,” said Ambassador David A. Gross, co-chair of Wiley Rein’s TMT Practice. “Her industry accomplishments have been transformative in the areas of digital trade, international business and spectrum issues, intergovernmental policymaking, public policy advocacy, and Internet governance. Jackie is a wonderful addition to our multidisciplinary TMT team, and we’re delighted she has joined the firm.”

At Verizon, Ms. Ruff led a group responsible for public policy development, advocacy, and guidance around international issues, including international trade. She oversaw Verizon’s global policy work in such organizations as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), ICANN, and the Internet Governance Forum, and regional organizations for the Americas (CITEL) and the Asia Pacific (APEC).

In addition, Ms. Ruff served as a member of federal advisory committees to the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy at the Department of State, and to the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Commerce. She was a member of the boards of the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute and the European-American Business Council, and co-chair of the Digital Trade group of the U.S Council for International Business. She also participated in the the Policy and Spectrum Groups of the GSM Association.

Prior to joining Verizon, Ms. Ruff worked at the International Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where she was Associate Chief and Chief of Staff for the Bureau. Previously, she practiced with the communications and Latin America groups of an international law firm and served on the staff of a United States Senate Committee.

Additionally, Ms. Ruff has fostered “Women in Technology” programs involving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiatives, and oversaw the organization of a 2011 conference in Uganda exploring ways to obtain and utilize Internet interconnectivity for higher education purposes.

Ms. Ruff received her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, magna cum laude and Order of the Coif. She received her B.A., cum laude, and her M.A. from Harvard University.

The arrival of Ms. Ruff follows several other recent high-profile additions to the firm, including partner Duane C. Pozza, former Assistant Director in the Division of Financial Practices at the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, who joined the TMT Practice; partner Richard C. Sofield, former Director of the Foreign Investment Review Staff for the National Security Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, who joined the TMT, National Security, and International Trade practices; and partner Peter S. Hyun – former Chief Counsel to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committee – who joined the White Collar Defense & Government Investigations Practice.

Wiley Rein’s TMT Practice is the largest in the country, with more than 60 attorneys and engineers engaged full time in matters that encompass virtually all aspects of the federal, state, and international laws governing the telecommunications, media, and technology industries. The team is committed to understanding the implications of technology and industry changes for clients, as evidenced by a team of engineers who are integrated into our legal and policy capabilities. In addition, our TMT attorneys are actively engaged in FTC rulemakings, policy, investigations, and enforcement proceedings.