The Telecom, Media, and Technology (TMT) Certificate Program is the academic enrichment and skills development component of the FCBA’s Diversity Pipeline Program. It advances the mission of the Pipeline Program to attract, develop, train, and support diverse, first-year law students from historically underrepresented and disadvantaged groups interested in pursuing legal careers in TMT law and policy.
To prepare students for first-year internships and other employment opportunities in the TMT sector, the TMT Certificate Program provides a comprehensive but accessible introduction to the key principles, statutes, and regulations that are foundational to the practice of TMT law and policy development. It examines TMT from a legal, policy, and practice-oriented perspective, requiring only a committed effort to learn — no prior TMT legal or industry knowledge is required or expected. The TMT Certificate Program provides a lawyer and policy professional’s approach to the myriad legal and policy issues confounding TMT organizations, the courts, and lawmakers. The TMT Certificate Program will focus on significant recent developments and the interplay of law, technology, business models, and consumer expectations.
The TMT Certificate Program consists of six (6) virtual learning sessions that cover the following substantive areas of law: Administrative Law, Antitrust, Broadband, Media and Content Regulation, Telecom (Wireline and Wireless) Regulation, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity, and other regulatory and legislative issues impacting the TMT industry sector. In addition, the TMT Certificate Program includes a separate module on various styles of oral and written communication, advocacy, and workplace and client interactions.
While completion of the TMT Certificate Program is required for Diversity Pipeline Program Interns, it is open to all Diversity Pipeline Program applicants. Upon satisfactory completion of the TMT Certificate Program requirements, participants receive a Certificate of Achievement from the FCBA.
Substantive sessions will be taught by industry expert instructors on Saturdays, from February 4 to April 15, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Eastern).
February 4, 2023
Regulatory Overview & Administrative Law
Keynote: Ajit Pai, Former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and Partner at Searchlight Capital Partners
Instructors:
Ari Q. Fitzgerald, Partner, Hogan Lovells
Scott H. Angstreich, Partner, Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick
Facilitators: Svetlana Gans & Rudy Brioché, Co-Chairs, Diversity Pipeline Program Committee
This session will cover the federal administrative process, including its structure, functions, and powers and the interactions among the White House, federal departments and agencies, the courts, and the states. This session will specifically examine the formal and informal procedures of the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission (including their leadership, offices, and bureaus) and their rulemaking and related authorities.
February 11, 2023
Broadband and Spectrum
Keynotes:
Sanford Williams, Special Advisor to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Deputy Managing Director of the FCC
David Goldman, Senior Director of Satellite Policy for Space X
Instructors:
Erin M. Griffith, Of Counsel, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
Russell P. Hanser, Director of Communications Policy Initiatives, National Telecommunications Information Administration, Department of Commerce
Facilitators: Diane Holland & Jamile Kadre, Co-Chairs, Diversity Pipeline Program Committee
This session will survey the legal framework of telecommunications, broadband, and the Internet at several pivotal points of development and examine technological convergence, the significance of broadband and wireless communications, and related policy implications and legislative efforts. This session also will review the fundamentals of wireless spectrum and pertinent policy issues.
February 25, 2023
Media & Content
Keynote: The Hon. Amit P. Mehta, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Instructors:
Matthew A. Brill, Partner, Latham & Watkins
Sarang (Sy) Damle, Partner, Latham & Watkins
Facilitator: Rudy Brioché, Co-Chair, Diversity Pipeline Program Committee
This session will explore media and content regulation, including the key principles and laws that regulate radio and TV broadcast and cable television, advertising, and others forms of speech. This session will also review emerging laws to regulate digital media services, intermediary liability, intellectual property laws, and legislative efforts to reform these laws.
March 4, 2023
Antitrust Law & Artificial Intelligence
Keynote: Hetal J. Doshi, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division
Instructors:
Chris Wilson, Partner, Gibson Dunn
John Verdi, Senior Vice President of Policy, Future of Privacy Forum
Facilitator: Svetlana Gans, Co-Chair, Diversity Pipeline Program Committee
This session is designed to introduce students to U.S. competition law and policy, and to discuss pending rulemakings. This session will also cover issues attendant to ad tech, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and developing regulatory concerns in the U.S. and the European Union.
March 25, 2023
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Instructors:
Daniel K. Alvarez, Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Stefan Ducich, Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Susan E. Israel, Of Counsel, Loeb & Loeb
Chanda Marlowe, Associate, Loeb & Loeb
Facilitator: Jonathan Mark, Co-Chair, Diversity Pipeline Program Committee
This session will focus on the evolving U.S. privacy landscape, including the FTC’s privacy framework, sectoral federal privacy laws, and state privacy and data breach notification and security laws. Children’s privacy – the existing legal regime, proposed federal and state laws, and regulatory activities – will be examined. This session will also cover existing and emerging cybersecurity frameworks, regulations, and leading legislative proposals.
April 1, 2023
Communication & Advocacy Skills
Instructors:
Adam Copeland, Associate Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
Natalie G. Roisman, Executive Director, Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy
Facilitator: Anisa Green & Jamile Kadre, Co-Chair, Diversity Pipeline Program Committee
This session is designed to equip participants with critical skills for success, including persuasive legal writing, oral advocacy and presentations, and workplace and client interactions for an effective transition from law student to legal intern in TMT law firms, companies, trade associations, and non-profit organizations. This session will also include a presentation about the Diversity Pipeline Mentorship Program.
April 15, 2023
Comment Filing and Mock Ex Parte Meetings
Facilitators: Co-Chairs, Diversity Pipeline Program Committee
This session is designed to equip participants with critical skills for success, including persuasive legal writing, oral advocacy and presentations, and workplace and client interactions for an effective transition from law student to legal intern in TMT law firms, companies, trade associations, and non-profit organizations.
April 18, 2023
5:00 – 6:00 PM (ET)
Graduation