Former FCC Legal Advisor Rebekah Preston Goodheart Joins Jenner & Block's Communications, Internet & Technology Practice

In advising Commissioner Clyburn, Ms. Goodheart played a role in the FCC's enactment of industry-transforming regulations and gained key insight on the commission's thinking on future key issues important to clients. In that role, she formulated recommendations and advised Commissioner Clyburn on wireline, broadband, wireless and communications policy issues, including net neutrality, competition and competitive access, privacy, universal service, disability access, and evolving technology issues. 

"We are pleased to welcome Rebekah to the firm," said Jenner & Block Managing Partner Terrence J. Truax. "She is a well-versed communications lawyer with significant regulatory, public policy, antitrust and litigation experience that will enhance our CIT Practice. Her rich government experience adds to our bench strength within the practice specifically and more broadly within the firm."

In her eight years at the FCC, Ms. Goodheart additionally served as Associate General Counsel in the FCC's Office of General Counsel and Deputy Director of the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force; Associate Chief for the Wireline Competition Bureau; Senior Policy Advisor for the Omnibus Broadband Initiative; and Assistant Chief for the Industry Analysis Division, Media Bureau. Career highlights include spearheading the reform of the approximately $8 billion intercarrier compensation regime (a system of payments between telecommunications carriers for connecting telephone calls); managing the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau under then-Acting Chair Clyburn; playing a key role in developing Commissioner Clyburn's views on net neutrality, privacy, competition policy and other key wireline issues; and developing policy recommendations for the FCC's National Broadband plan – an influential blueprint that guides the government's broadband policy.

Before joining the FCC in 2008, Ms. Goodheart was a trial lawyer at the US Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, where she was on the front line of reviewing telecommunications mergers. Before that, she was an associate at a Washington, DC-based law firm well known for communications law.

Ms. Goodheart joins the CIT Practice at an exciting time. In May, the practice secured major regulatory approvals that paved the way for Charter Communications, Inc. to merge with Time Warner Cable Inc. and Bright House Networks, a record three-way transaction valued at approximately $90 billion. The CIT Practice is led by co-chairs Samuel L. Feder and John Flynn. Mr. Feder is a former general counsel for the FCC; Mr. Flynn is a previous senior advisor to the FCC chairman and also possesses significant general counsel experience in the communications and technology sectors.

"Rebekah has a unique background that enables her to provide counsel on a variety of issues, ranging from questions regarding compliance with FCC rules to strategic planning on high-level public policy issues and how to best advocate before the FCC," said Mr. Feder. "She will expand our representation of ISPs and other members of the Internet ecosystem; as the FCC considers new rules and regulations, those clients require the experienced, knowledgeable counsel that Rebekah can provide."

"I look forward to joining Jenner & Block. I am excited to build on the relationships I have gained through my career as well as develop new relationships," Ms. Goodheart said.

Ms. Goodheart earned her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. She earned her BSFS in Science, Technology & International Affairs, cum laude, from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK'S COMMUNICATIONS, INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE
Jenner & Block has a decades-long reputation for handling communications matters of national importance. This tradition began in the 1980s with the firm's work as lead counsel on behalf of MCI in the antitrust suit against AT&T. The practice represents communications and media companies across the United States, handling matters on the forefront of nearly all areas of communications law, including the Internet, cable, telecom, wireless, satellite and media. In addition to FCC-related counseling, the Jenner & Block team has been engaged in a virtually nationwide set of activities related to seeking approval from state public utility commissions.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK
Jenner & Block (www.jenner.com) is a law firm with global reach, with more than 500 lawyers and offices in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. The firm is known for its prominent and successful litigation practice and experience handling sophisticated and high-profile corporate transactions. Firm clients include Fortune 100 companies, large privately held corporations, financial services institutions, emerging companies and venture capital and private equity investors. In 2016, The American Lawyer named Jenner & Block to the A-List, which recognizes the top 20 US law firms. The American Lawyer also recognized the firm as the #1 pro bono firm in the United States six of the past nine years; the firm has been ranked among the top 10 in this category every year since 1990.

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