By: Laura Phillips
I was happy to catch up with a former colleague of mine from Dow, Lohnes & Albertson this month – Kim Cook. Kim joined Jenner & Block’s Communications, Internet, and Technology Practice in April as a Special Counsel following a career at the Federal Communications Commission. She advises clients as they navigate complex regulatory, enforcement, and national security challenges in the communications sector, areas that many of us see as challenging, interesting, and occasionally frustrating.
Q. What attracted you to the field of communications?
A. I was attracted to the field of communications because it brings together so many of my interests. It is a combination of science, technology, business, law, and policy with international issues as well. I didn’t realize it was where I was headed at the time, but my undergraduate degrees in accounting, finance, and political science (with a focus on international studies), along with my law school education, prepared me well for my communications law practice.
Q. Tell us about the various places you’ve worked through the years.
A. My first job was delivering the Dayton Daily News at age 11. So, I started in communications early. After law school, I began my practice at Dow, Lohnes & Albertson advising communications clients on FCC licensing, ownership rules, broadcast, spectrum, and cable regulations, and transactional matters. I then moved to the FCC where I started out in the Wireline Competition Bureau working on Section 271 applications, reviewing requests by Regional Bell Operating Companies to provide in-region long-distance services under a 90-day statutory deadline. I later transferred to the International Bureau where I worked on a variety of issues including foreign ownership review and national security matters. I also worked in the Enforcement Bureau’s Spectrum Enforcement Division where I supervised investigations involving unauthorized satellite operations, 911 outages, and z-axis dispatchable location failures. I recently joined Jenner & Block as Special Counsel in the Communications, Internet, and Technology practice. I am really enjoying the opportunity to tackle significant and complex matters on behalf of our clients.
Q. Have things unfolded in your career more or less the way you planned?
A. I knew I wanted to be an attorney since I was in high school. Beyond that, I can’t say I had a grand plan. Somehow, I landed exactly where I was supposed to be. As I already mentioned, communications law has turned out to be a perfect blend of my interests that include science, technology, business, law, policy, and international matters. My career has not only been guided by my subject-matter interests but has been influenced just as much by the amazing people I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside throughout my career.
Q. What’s the most interesting or challenging thing that you’ve done in your current position?
A. I’m fairly new in my current position, so, it is all interesting and presents new opportunities and challenges to me on almost a daily basis. Having extensive experience at the FCC on the regulatory side of things, I’ve enjoyed getting to approach communications law from a different perspective and tackle issues in a way to be able to advise clients with a business-oriented and solutions-based approach. I’m seeing transactions from the other side and am soaking in the aspects of due diligence in deals that I saw the end results of while at the FCC. I am excited to be working with the talented and accomplished attorneys in Jenner & Block’s Communications, Internet, and Technology practice to navigate the significant and complex regulatory matters our clients face.
In my former life at the FCC, I would have to say I particularly enjoyed the time I spent on foreign ownership as it affected communications transactions and national security. Not only was there a steep learning curve to this area, but no two transactions were the same. It held my interest time after time.
Q. Is or was there something interesting or someone who surprised or impressed you during your career and why?
A. I was consistently impressed by the dedicated public servants I was fortunate enough to call my colleagues during my career at the FCC. The depth of knowledge and experience of those at the Commission is unsurpassed. You won’t find another group of people more dedicated to working together to serve the public interest. As a young attorney, I benefited from numerous mentors at the Commission who took the time to teach me the complex subject matter while also encouraging me to grow in my profession. I count them among my dearest friends. Later in my career, I have enjoyed the opportunity to teach and mentor others. Something I did not expect from that experience was that I ended up learning just as much from being a mentor as I did from being mentored. Learning is a lifelong process.
Q. What do you enjoy reading?
A. I tend to gravitate toward nonfiction books, specifically those about behavioral economics, technology, business/finance, and international issues. Knowing that about myself, I make a concerted effort to read fiction as well. Most recently, I read Project Hail Mary after seeing the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed the book because it touches on much of the subject matter I’m drawn to – science, technology, communication, and finding connection despite differences – all wrapped into a compelling story.
Q. Is there something (a hobby or other tidbit) people don’t know about you that you are willing to share?
A. Most people who know me know that I love live music. In high school, that translated into me being involved in band, show choir, and school musicals. Today, I try to get to as many concerts, musicals, and shows as possible. I’ve most recently seen Rush and Noah Kahan – both were fantastic.
Something that people might not know about me is that I have gotten into Hyrox races (a combination of running an 8K and doing eight different exercises along the way). There’s a Hyrox race coming up in DC and I’m on a relay team with my daughter and friends from the gym. I’m looking forward to sharing that experience with them. We’re not in it to break any records but we will do hard things, cheer each other on, and have a great time doing it!
Q. Can you share your perspective on the pitfalls to avoid or other career advice for those who are just getting started in the communications field?
A. A good anchor point is that the work matters – do excellent work. But the people you work with and for are just as important. Don’t get lost in the work so much that you lose sight of maintaining good personal and professional relationships. As I look back over my career, I realize that I have been extremely fortunate to have done some exceptionally interesting, challenging, and significant work. But it is the people I worked with that made it truly fulfilling, meaningful, and memorable. As for general career advice, I recommend remaining open to the opportunities life provides you while retaining your rudder to ensure that you stay on course and head in the direction of your goals. Sometimes the next step in your career isn’t the one you had planned, but it is the one that gets you where you wanted to go all along.
Also, be open to learning new things at all stages of your career. Our field is one that experiences constant change, so being prepared by being a lifelong learner is a key element in continued success.
Q. How has your life changed as a result of COVID-19 and what are you looking forward to doing next?
A. Like many people, I found that COVID-19 meant remote work for me and remote school for my kids. It gave me a new appreciation for the communications network and technology that made remote work possible and pushed me to find new ways to balance responsibilities and priorities. As time went on, I also came to appreciate (and miss) the benefit of collaborating with coworkers and stakeholders face to face.
Q. How long have you been an FCBA member, and what to you is the value of FCBA membership?
A. I joined the FCBA when I first started practicing law in 1997. The CLEs offered by FCBA are always topical and an important way to stay current in a rapidly evolving industry.
The real value of FCBA membership to me is the connection with amazing people and practitioners. I have found the FCBA to be a community full of talented, accomplished, and collegial professionals who are also wonderful people and friends. You can’t find a better organization for legal and policy professionals in this industry.