Federal Communications Bar Association

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The FCBA and The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law will co-sponsor the 2012 National Telecommunications Moot Court Competition to be held February 10-11. This year’s competition problem is based off of the shut down of underground cell phone service in San Francisco's BART subway system in an effort to prevent a planned protest. The competition is looking for judges for oral arguments. Judges are needed for Friday the 10th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday the 11th at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. If you would like to volunteer as a judge in any (or all) of the time slots, please contact Wesley Gee at nattel2012@gmail.com. No expertise is necessary.

All current federal government employees in communications-related positions (not limited to attorneys or FCBA members) are eligible nominees. The FCBA will consider an individual's dedication to excellence and long-term commitment to federal government public service in selecting the individual to be honored. In addition, the FCBA will view favorably nominees who have demonstrated service, dedication, and generosity of spirit in their careers. Nominations (1,000 words or less) should include the following information: (1) full name, title, work address and contact information of the nominee; (2) summary of nominee's outstanding service and/or achievements; (3) a narrative explanation of the nominee's service including the following information: how the nominee's dedication to excellence and public service is outstanding, significant and "above and beyond the call of duty;” the length of the government service; and any other relevant information, such as a history of mentoring, that would assist the award committee in evaluating the nomination. Please submit written nominations by email to kerry@fcba.org. Nominations are due no later than March 16, 2012.

The FCBA Annual Seminar Committee is hard at work creating a program for the 2012 FCBA Annual Seminar being held Friday, May 4 – Sunday, May 6. The Annual Seminar traditionally has consisted of various presentations and panels featuring a range of government officials, industry leaders and topics, as well as informal recreational and social activities designed to facilitate interaction among the attendees. FCC Commissioners and Bureau Chiefs have already committed to participate in the program. The 2012 Annual Seminar will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge, Maryland. Additional information about the resort and its surroundings can be found at www.chesapeakebay.hyatt.com. Future newsletters and the website will have further information about the schedule, agenda, and registration procedures.
Click here to make your room reservation at the Hyatt

To promote the goal of broad attendance and boost participation from public sector employees and academics, the FCBA is again offering Annual Seminar scholarships. Last year, the scholarship program was fully subscribed. An increase in attendance by the public sector and academics provides a unique networking opportunity and benefits all Annual Seminar attendees. The scholarship covers the registration fee (approximately $200), which includes meals, entertainment, and attendance at the seminar. Scholarship recipients will be responsible for all other costs of attending the Seminar, including travel and lodging expenses. A limited number of scholarships will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants are urged to apply early. Information and Application Instructions: (1) Scholarships are available to full-time government members and to full-time academic professor members. (2) To apply, please fax or email a completed application form along with a copy of your ID card from your government agency or academic institution. (3) Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The cut-off date for applications is Thursday, March 30, 2012.
Click here to download the 2012 Scholarship Application

We’d like to remind everyone that if they have any changes to their contact information that they notify the FCBA, wendy@fcba.org. In order to keep a cohesive look to both our online and hard copy directories, we do not allow members to make any changes to their contact information themselves. Also note that we do not include prefixes or titles in any of our member listings. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Thank you.

We now have event registration, membership renewals and the FCBA membership directory available online.
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	Saturday, February 4, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Young Lawyers Committee Community Service Project. Location: Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th Street, Northwest (16th and S). Join fellow YLC members for a community service event at Food For All, a non-profit organization that provides emergency food to those who are in temporary situations of need. Each week, the organization accepts referrals from social workers who have been contacted by individuals. YLC will be helping out by both packaging food and helping deliver food to those in need. If you are interested in being one of the delivery drivers, please bring your car, but we also need volunteers without cars and we can coordinate groups of YLCs to work together. RSVP to: Jessica DeSimone at jdesimone@telecomlawpros.comor Caroline Van Wie at cvanwie@wileyrein.com
	Thursday, February 9, 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. CLE Seminar on CALEA Enforcement: Don’t Find Out the Hard Way. Presented by the Homeland Security and Emergency Communications Committee. Location: Wiley Rein LLP, 1776 K Street, NW, Main Conference Center. Click here for more information Click here to register online Click here to download registration form
	Thursday, February 9, 12:00 Noon New York Chapter Lunch and Panel Discussion. Location: Brown Rudnick, LLP, 7 Times Square, New York, NY. Topic: Network Reliability and Interoperability of Communications Networks. More information: Includes a keynote from Jamie Barnett, Jr., Rear Admiral (Ret.), Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Erika Olsen, Senior Legal Counsel, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. Panelists include Matthew Gerst, Counsel, External & State Affairs, CTIA – The Wireless Association; Brendan Kasper, Senior Regulatory Counsel, Vonage; Michael Rowley, Interim Chief - Network Reliability, Office of Telecommunications, NYS Department of Public Service; Harold Salters, Director, Federal Regulatory Affairs, T-Mobile, in his capacity as company representative to the ATIS NRSC; and Richard Zinno, Manager Network Operations, Sprint Nextel. Click here to register online Click here to download registration form
	Tuesday, February 14, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. Mass Media and the Video Programming & Distribution Committees Brown Bag Lunch. Location: Wiley Rein, LLP, 1776 K Street, NW. Topic: Retransmission Consent from the Perspective of the Broadcasters and the Distributors. Speakers: Erin Dozier, NAB; Kevin Latek, Dow Lohnes/Gray Television; Ross Lieberman, American Cable Association; Cristina Pauze, Time Warner Cable. Click here to RSVP
	Wednesday, February 15, 12:15 – 2:00 p.m. Wireline Committee Brown Bag Lunch. Location: Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP, 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 400. Topic: USAC's role in USF contribution audits and appeals. Representatives from USAC's General Counsel's office will be available to discuss your questions concerning the USF audit and appeal process. Speakers: David Capozzi, Acting General Counsel, USAC Click here to RSVP
	Thursday, February 16, 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. CLE Seminar on Election 2012: Political Advertising Issues for Broadcasters and MVPDs. Presented by the Mass Media and Video Programming & Distribution Committees. Location: Wiley Rein LLP, 1776 K Street, NW, Main Conference Center Click here for more information Click here to register online Click here to download registration form
	Thursday, February 16, 12:15 – 2:00 p.m. Wireless Telecommunications Committee Luncheon. Location: Wiley Rein LLP, 1776 K Street, Main Conference Center. Topic: Distracted Driving is estimated to be responsible for more than 5,000 deaths annually on America’s highways. Our panelists will discuss the science behind manual, visual and cognitive distraction and the evolving law and regulations affecting motorists and motor carriers. Panelists will include distinguished representatives from the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, the National Safety Council, and other experts in the field. Click here to register online Click here to download registration form
	Thursday, February 16, 5:30 p.m. Atlanta Chapter Discussion and Networking Event. Location: Crown Plaza Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA. Topic: Telehealth in Georgia: Telecommunications and Health Care Industry Implications. Speakers: Dr. Mark Braunstein, Assoc. Dir., Health Systems Institute, Georgia Tech; Paula Guy, Executive Director, Georgia Partnership for Telehealth; Jim Kortum, Vice-President – Georgia, Windstream Communications. Moderator (invited): Honorable Judson Hill, Georgia Senate. RSVP to: kwoods@fh2.com *(FCBA members should RSVP to ensure attending the event at no charge.)
	Tuesday, February 21, 12:15 – 1:45 p.m. Engineering and Technical Practice Committee Brown Bag Lunch. Location: T-Mobile, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, North Building, Suite 800. For security and planning purposes, please RSVP in advance. Topic: Federal advisory committees and how the recommendations could impact industry and regulation. Regulators look to a number of advisory committees to provide insight into the direction of technology direction and help mold the regulatory addenda. This session will focus on three key Committees - the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology(PCAST), NTIA’s Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) and the FCC’s Technology Advisory Committee (TAC). Dennis Roberson, President and CEO, Roberson Associates and former Chief Technology Officer of Motorola is an active member on each of these and will provide an overview of the committees and their recommendations. Join us for what promises to be an interesting discussion of technology and the advisory committee recommendations that have the potential to shape regulation. For more information: Contact Steve Sharkey, steve.sharkey@t-mobile.com. Click here to RSVP
	Tuesday, February 21, 12:15 p.m. Young Lawyers Committee Brown Bag Lunch. Location: Holland & Knight, 2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 100. Topic: The First Amendment in telecom law. This brown bag will feature a discussion of hot topics in First Amendment law. Panelists will provide an overview of the various ways that First Amendment issues arise in telecom-related legislation, litigation, and regulatory matters. Speakers: TBA RSVP to: Drew Shenkman at drew.shenkman@hklaw.comor Brendan Carr at Bcarr@wileyrein.com
	Tuesday, February 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Young Lawyers Committee Mentoring event co-sponsored by the WBA’s Communications Law Forum. Location: Hogan Lovells US LLP, 555 13th Street, NW. Topic: An Evening of Mentoring for Communications Lawyers. To register: Go to the “Upcoming Events” at www.wbadc.org. Registration for this program may close early, so register soon! To receive a reduced member rate, use FCBAMENTOR as a registration password.
	Tuesday, February 28, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. FCC Enforcement Committee Brown Bag Lunch. Location: Hogan Lovells US LLP, 555 Thirteenth Street, NW, The Courtroom Conference Room. Topic: Meet the FCC Enforcement Bureau. Speakers: Michele Ellison, Bureau Chief, Enforcement Bureau, FCC; and Enforcement Bureau Front Office Managers and Division Chiefs Click here to RSVP
	Thursday, March 1, 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. CLE Seminar on Internet Delivery of Television: Over-The-Top and IP. Presented by theIntellectual Property Committee. Location: Covington & Burling, 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Click here for more information Click here to register online Click here to download registration form
	Wednesday, March 7, 12:15 – 1:45 p.m. Engineering and Technical Practice Committee Brown Bag Lunch. Location: National Association of Broadcasters, 1771 N Street, NW. For security and planning purposes, please RSVP in advance. Topic: TV Whitespace – Progress and Impressions. Some 8 years after the Commission began considering a framework use of the TV Whitespace, the structure and rules are in place and deployment has begun. Come and hear from Spectrum Bridge, the first company authorized to provide a TV Bands database system that is at the heart of protecting TV Broadcast operations, wireless microphones and other users of the broadcast band as well as the National Association of Broadcasters about their experience with the database and any challenges that remain. For more information: Contact Scott Goodwin, sgoodwin@nab.org. Click here to RSVP
	Thursday, March 15, 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. CLE Seminar on Developments in the Effort to Improve Broadband Adoption. Presented by the Broadband Committee. Location: Arnold & Porter LLP, 555 12^th Street, NW. Click here for more information Click here to register online Click here to download registration form
	Wednesday, March 21, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. 7th Annual ABA/FCBA Privacy & Data Security Symposium. Presented by the FCBA Privacy and Data Security Committee in association with the ABA Communications Law Forum. Location: TBD. Sponsored by: Covington & Burling, Davis Wright Tremaine, Faegre & Benson, Hiscox Insurance Company, Jackson Walker, Kelley Drye White O'Connor, Kelley Drye & Warren, Lerman Senter, Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz, Sheppard Mullin, Thomas LoCicero, Vinson & Elkins, and Wilkinson Barker Knauer. Click here for more information Click here to register online Click here to download registration form
	Wednesday, March 28, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. Homeland Security and Emergency Communications Committee HSECC Luncheon in association with NENA: The 9-1-1 Association. Location:L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Monet Ballroom. Topic: PSHSB Chief Admiral Jamie Barnett will discuss the Bureau’s goals and challenges for the year ahead in public safety and cybersecurity. Lunch will be provided by NENA. Due to space considerations, there is a strict limit of 50 FCBA guests. Please RSVP via the link below by Wednesday, March 21^st, 2012. You MUST RSVP ahead of time, since lunch will be provided. Click here to RSVP*
	Last Sunday of each month Martha's Table - Volunteers are needed for the following dates in 2011: 12/25. Martha's Table feeds hundreds of hungry, homeless adults and children on the streets of Washington daily, through its mobile soup kitchen. Children and friends are also welcome. We will begin at 10:00 am and work until 1:00 pm. Martha's Table is located in a yellow building at 2114 Fourteenth Street, NW, in the District, near the intersection of 14th and U Streets. On-street parking is available. Volunteers are asked to bring food if possible, (e.g., cold cuts, bread, peanut butter, jelly, vegetables and potatoes) because the center often runs out of donated food. The FCBA volunteers on the last Sunday of every month, so mark your calendars now. For more information, contact Howard Weiss at 703-812-0471 -- weiss@fhhlaw.com.