FCC’s O’Rielly Announces Additional Staff

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly today announced that he is naming Amy Bender and Erin McGrath as his legal advisers. Until recently, both had been serving in an interim capacity.

Bender will serve as legal adviser for wireline issues. She has been a deputy chief in the telecommunications access policy division of the Wireline Competition Bureau, where she managed the high-cost universal service program, including the Connect America Fund. Prior to that, Bender was detailed to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Before her detail, Bender was a Legal Adviser to Chairman Kevin J. Martin.  She also served as a legal counsel to two chiefs of the Wireline Competition Bureau. Bender entered the Commission as an Honors Attorney in the Wireline Competition Bureau. Before joining the FCC, she was a telecommunications associate at Wiley Rein & Fielding.

Bender received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her B.A. summa cum laude from Rice University, where she majored in history and policy studies.

Erin McGrath will serve as legal adviser for wireless, public safety and international issues. She has worked at the commission since March 2000.  Most recently, she was legal adviser to Commissioner Robert M. McDowell focusing primarily on media issues. Prior to that, she was an assistant division chief in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s mobility division. She also served as interim legal adviser to Commissioner Meredith A. Baker for wireless, international, and public safety issues.

McGrath received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.