Wiley Rein Helps TechCongress Advance Technological Expertise on Capitol Hill 

October 7, 2015

Wiley Rein of counsel Shawn H. Chang recently provided pro bono assistance to help establish TechCongress, a new nonprofit, nonpartisan fellowship program that will place technologists in congressional offices to add more technical expertise to the policymaking process. The program aims to bridge the divide between the technology and policy communities, to help the government keep up with the rapid pace of technological change.

Mr. Chang, a member of Wiley Rein’s Privacy, Public Policy, and Telecom, Media & Technology practices, is a former chief counsel on communications and technology policy for the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats.

TechCongress, launched as part of the Open Technology Institute (OTI) at New America, was founded by Travis Moore—who previously served as legislative and operations director for former Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). Rep. Waxman, who served as chairman and ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, is a member of the board of directors of TechCongress. The program is expected to begin placing fellows on the Hill in early 2016.

Kay Tatum, chair of Wiley Rein’s Corporate Practice, and associate Yaw Temeng assisted TechCongress in applying for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status as a nonprofit.