FCC’s Michael O’Rielly Appoints Chief of Staff

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly announced his first official appointment Monday with the hiring of Courtney Reinhard as his senior legal adviser and chief of staff.

In her new role, Reinhard will also handle media issues. Until recently, she was legal adviser for wireless issues for FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai.

“I am so pleased that Ms. Reinhard has agreed to join my staff,” O’Rielly said. “For almost 15 years, Ms. Reinhard has been a friend, colleague, and informal advisor to me. I know that I will benefit greatly from her background and expertise when addressing the challenges facing the commission. Commissioner Pai is exceptionally gracious to allow me to poach from his talented staff.”

Reinhard came to the commission from the U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee where she was counsel and budget analyst to Chairman Paul Ryan.

Prior to joining the Budget Committee, Reinhard was a telecommunications counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce.

She has also served as a policy adviser on communications, technology and intellectual property issues to Sen. Jim DeMint, Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep.John Shimkus.

Reinhard received her J.D. from George Mason School of Law and her B.A., with honors, from the University of California, Davis.