Former Chief Counsel to the FCC Chairman to Join Paul Hastings

July 08, 2013

Washington, D.C. - Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Sherrese Smith will join the firm as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as part of the firm’s Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) and Privacy and Data Security practices. Ms. Smith recently completed service as Chief Counsel to Chairman Julius Genachowski of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and prior to that was General Counsel at Washington Post Digital. She is a highly regarded lawyer with significant private sector and high-level government experience in media, communications, privacy, data security, content, and digital technology issues.

“We have developed an impressive track record advising clients on some of the most significant media M&A deals of the last 12 months,” said Elizabeth Noe, chair of the Corporate practice at Paul Hastings. “Sherrese’s addition will take our TMT-focused transactional practice to a still higher level and will position us as a premier practice in this space with first-tier capabilities ranging from innovative transaction structuring to every aspect of deal execution, including the FCC regulatory process,” she added.

“Sherrese’s addition also builds on our investments in our Privacy and Data Security practice, where we recently added Professor Paul Schwartz as a special advisor and have a deep and substantial bench of expert advisors who are working with clients at the forefront of issues that call for a keen grasp of regulatory policy, thought-leadership, and an understanding of business and technology,” Noe said. “Both as general counsel of Washington Post Digital and as the FCC’s liaison to the Federal Trade Commission on data privacy and security issues, Sherrese has developed a deep understanding of the unique blend of commercial, technology and policy issues faced by our clients and regulators.”

“More of our clients, across a range of practices and industries, are focused on the regulatory issues being shaped in Washington, D.C., and as a result, we continue to add experts like Sherrese, who offer clients both nuanced insight into regulatory issues and practical solutions to business challenges,” said Barbara Brown, chair of the Washington, D.C. office. “Sherrese weaves together the strategic perspective of media and technology companies, a first-hand understanding of the regulatory process, and a deal lawyer’s real-world experience with transactions.”
Ms. Smith currently serves on the board of the American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Communications Law, is a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association, and has served on the board of the Media Law Resource Center Institute and as co-chair of the Copyright Committee of the ABA.

Ms. Smith is expected to join the firm in August.

Paul Hastings LLP is a leading global law firm with offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States. We provide innovative legal solutions to financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Please visit www.paulhastings.com for more information.