Media Contact: 
Bill Davenport, (202) 418-2500
william.davenport@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

COMMISSIONER STARKS ANNOUNCES NEW LEGAL ADVISOR

WASHINGTON, November 6, 2019—FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announced today the appointment of Austin Bonner as Legal Advisor covering wireline and public safety issues. 

Ms. Bonner was most recently an associate with the law firm of Harris, Wiltshire, & Grannis LLP (“HWG”), where she practiced with the Communications and Appellate Litigation groups.  At HWG, Ms. Bonner’s practice covered a wide range of matters involving regulatory challenges, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation, with a particular focus on complex technologies and telecommunications.  She has served as a co-chair of the Federal Communications Bar Association’s Judicial Practice Committee and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.  Ms. Bonner also regularly teaches courses for attorneys on issues in administrative law and appellate advocacy.  Before entering private practice, Ms. Bonner clerked for Judge D. Michael Fisher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. 

Starks said, “I am excited to have Austin join my team.  She has an outstanding reputation both as a communications lawyer and an advocate.  I look forward to working with her to expand digital inclusion and improve public safety.” 

“I am honored to join Commissioner Starks and the fantastic team he has assembled to bring digital opportunity and empowerment to all Americans,” said Ms. Bonner.  “I look forward to working with the Commission to help address the most important communications challenges of the 21st century.” 

Ms. Bonner is a graduate of the University of Texas and the Georgetown University Law Center.  
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Office of Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: (202) 418-2500 
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @GeoffreyStarks 
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/geoffrey-starks

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).