Venable LLP announced today that Philip L. Verveer has joined the firm’s Regulatory practice as senior counsel in Washington, DC, where he will focus on antitrust and domestic and international communications law and policy.  Most recently, Mr. Verveer served in two separate capacities during the Obama administration, as Senior Counselor to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 2013 to 2017 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, with ambassadorial rank, from 2009 to 2013.

Commenting on the addition of Mr. Verveer, Lawrence H. Norton, Co-Chair of Venable's Government Division, said, “We’re excited to welcome someone with Phil’s background and experience to our growing Regulatory practice.  With a career split between a devotion to public service and private practice, he offers a unique perspective to clients navigating the varying, and often competing, views of multiple stakeholders.  We look forward to having him as part of the team.”

Mr. Verveer’s prominent career in public service included serving as a trial attorney in the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, as a supervisory attorney in the Bureau of Competition of the Federal Trade Commission, and as the Chief of the Cable Television Bureau, the Broadcast Bureau, and the Common Carrier Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission.  Among many distinguished achievements, he served as the Antitrust Division’s first lead counsel in the investigation and prosecution of United States v. AT&T, the case that resulted in the divestiture of the Bell System.  Prior to joining the Obama administration, Mr. Verveer spent over 25 years in private practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, where he served on the firm’s executive committee.  Leading up to his confirmation as ambassador, Mr. Verveer was counsel at Jenner & Block.

“Venable’s professionals have a wide and deep background in the legal and policy issues surrounding electronic communications.  With some of the country’s premier practices devoted to advertising, privacy, and eCommerce, Venable offers cutting-edge solutions to the big issues of the day while anticipating what clients will need to address down the road.  The firm also boasts a top antitrust practice with several attorneys previously serving as regulators and prosecutors within government agencies.  They bring years of experience dealing with complex antitrust issues and understand the realities of government investigations and litigation.  I am very gratified to have the opportunity to join them,” said Mr. Verveer.

At Venable, Mr. Verveer joins an industry-leading Regulatory practice that provides strategic counsel across a broad range of industries where business, policy, and government regulations intersect.  Many of the group's attorneys and legislative advisors come from distinguished careers in government and include former members of Congress, a Cabinet secretary, agency heads, and veteran Capitol Hill and Executive Branch legislative staffers and policy advisors from both sides of the aisle. 

Mr. Verveer earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.S.F.S from Georgetown University.  He also served in the U.S. Army as a captain in military intelligence.

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, and high-net-worth entrepreneurs and individuals.  With over 600 attorneys in nine offices across the country, including California, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ business objectives in the U.S. and around the globe.  Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines.  For more information, please visit www.Venable.com.