WASHINGTON — The first head of the Federal Communications Commission’s Space Bureau is joining a space law practice at a major law firm.
DLA Piper announced Feb. 25 that it hired Julie Kearney as the co-chair of its Space Exploration and Innovation Practice, part of the firm’s Telecom Group, based in Washington.
Kearney was selected in April 2023 as the first chief of the FCC’s Space Bureau, a new organization created as part of a reorganization by the commission to provide greater emphasis on space-related activities given the growing number of satellites and their spectrum access needs.
“Julie is a well-known and highly regarded figure in the satellite and space sector, and her ability to navigate opportunities for transformative services and innovative technologies in the U.S. and around the world will expand our offerings for existing clients as well as open the door for new startups,” said Mike Senkowski, co-chair of DLA Piper’s U.S. and Global Telecom Practice, in a statement.
Kearney told SpaceNews that she is working to bring her experience as a regulator to help companies deal with issues such as spectrum access and space sustainability. “These issues are global and they require careful coordination and collaboration between industry and government,” she said.
That includes striking a balance between industry growth and regulation, she said. “The space industry is in hyper-growth mode, not just in the U.S. but globally. As the industry grows, there needs to be a thoughtful balance between legal and regulatory frameworks and pro-growth goals.”
Kearney said she wants to leverage her experience helping build up the FCC’s Space Bureau. “The space sector is incredibly dynamic, and serving as the Space Bureau’s first chief gave me unique insights into how governments, industry, NGOs and consumers are impacted by and can impact the space ecosystem.”
“The FCC is the first regulator in the world to create a Space Bureau, and I built a world-class team with strong support from inside and outside of the FCC,” she said. “The Bureau is well-positioned to continue building on its success in promoting a thriving space economy.”
The FCC’s new chairman, Brendan Carr, announced Feb. 4 that Jay Schwarz would serve as the new chief of the Space Bureau. He returned to the FCC after several years as vice president of public policy at Comcast. In his earlier tenure at the FCC he was an adviser to then-chairman Ajit Pai.
“Throughout his career, Mr. Schwarz has recognized the importance of broadband connectivity and bridging the digital divide,” said Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA), in a statement. “As the satellite industry continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, SIA and its members look forward to working with him, the Bureau and the entire Commission to extend the availability of satellite connectivity and all space-based services while helping ensure America’s continued leadership role in the global space economy.”
