Kathy Kirby Receives 2018 ‘Distinguished Service Award’ from Federal Communications Bar Association

July 2, 2018

Washington, DC — Kathleen A. Kirby, co-chair of Wiley Rein’s Telecom, Media & Technology Practice, was honored by the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) last week with the 2018 “Distinguished Service Award.” Ms. Kirby received the prestigious award during the FCBA’s Summer Reception on June 28.

The award was presented to Ms. Kirby by FCBA President Julie Kearney, who also serves as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at the Consumer Technology Association. Wiley Rein was a sponsor of the event, which was held at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington.

Ms. Kirby has served on the FCBA Foundation Board of Trustees for the past three years – including as Chair (2016-2017) and as Treasurer (2015-2016 and 2017-2018). During her tenure with the FCBA Foundation, Ms. Kirby helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships awarded through college and law school scholarships, and stipends to interns in government service. Ms. Kirby has long been active in the FCBA, having chaired the Mass Media, Video Programming & Distribution and Continuing Legal Education Committees. She recently was elected to serve a three-year term on the FCBA’s Executive Committee. Ms. Kirby has mentored numerous communications lawyers over the years, and has been recognized by many other organizations for her exceptional work and contributions to the community.

Ms. Kirby is a past recipient of the Radio Television Digital News Foundation’s First Amendment Leadership Award, and was an inductee into the National Freedom of Information Act Hall of Fame. She has also been named one of the country’s top 75 “Outstanding Women Lawyers” by The National Law Journal, and one of “Washington’s Top Lawyers” by Washingtonian magazine.

Founded in 1936, the FCBA is a volunteer organization of more than 2,000 attorneys, engineers, consultants, economists, government officials, and law students involved in the study and practice of communications and information technology law and policy. The FCBA offers a variety of opportunities for members to network and increase their understanding of developing legal, engineering, and policy issues in the broadcast, wireless, emergency communications, spectrum, and satellite broadcasting areas.