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Julie Kearney

Partner

Co-Chair, Space Exploration and Innovation Practice

Washington, DC
About

Julie Kearney is a globally recognized and dynamic lawyer in the technology, satellite, space, and telecommunications field. For more than 25 years, Julie has worked with governments, industries, and the public sector around the world to promote legal and regulatory frameworks and policies that enable life-changing technologies.

As the first Chief of the Space Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), she represented and spoke for the Chairwoman and Commissioners on satellite and space-based communication matters and represented the Commission at the domestic and international level. Under Kearney's leadership, the FCC unanimously adopted several regulatory frameworks and launched initiatives to successfully advance industry leadership in the New Space Age. Additionally, during her tenure as Chief, the FCC adopted a regulatory structure for Supplemental Coverage from Space, which made the FCC the first regulator in the world to issue a framework for connecting satellites directly to consumer handsets using spectrum previously allocated only to terrestrial service.

Areas of FocusRegulatory and Government AffairsTelecomsTechnologySpace Exploration and Innovation
Bar admissionsDistrict of Columbia
CourtsSupreme Court of the United StatesUnited States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

EXPERIENCE

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
  • Appointed by the Chairwoman as the FCC's first Chief of the Space Bureau. She served as the principal advisor to the Chairwoman on all matters under the jurisdiction of the Space Bureau
  • Represented and spoke for the Chairwoman and Commissioners on satellite and space-based communication matters; represented the FCC at both the domestic and international levels
  • Developed long-range plans for the Space Bureau, including complex policies, rulemaking, and authorizations
  • Led the Space Bureau's liaison activities with other agencies of federal, state, local, and international governments and organizations regarding satellite and space activities
  • Directed staff in studies pertinent to the development of policy, legislative recommendations, and regulatory proposals
  • Managed and directed operations of the Bureau, including multi-million USD budget, hiring, and training
  • Served as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES)
Previous Roles
  • Served as the Vice President of Communications Regulatory Affairs and Policy at a leading communications platform as a service (CPaaS) provider, where she developed and implemented global telecommunications regulatory and policy strategies
  • Led international and US regulatory initiatives at a subsidiary of an American multinational technology conglomerate to bring internet access to unserved and underserved communities via a network of balloons on the edge of space
  • Created and led a regulatory department with a budget of more than US$1 million at North America's largest standards and technology trade organization to represent more than 2,200 corporate members, developed and executed legal, policy, and regulatory strategies in various areas, successfully advocated for legislation and regulations and developed the industry's first privacy principles for health and wellness devices
  • Implemented and led programs and policy development for public radio stations in media regulation, digital rights management, spectrum allocation, and broadband
  • Represented a large telecommunications company in telecommunications and Internet policy and legal issues before various US and international bodies
  • Represented broadcast and telecommunications clients before the FCC and state commissions, and in broadcast transactions and corporate issues
Education
  • J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
  • B.A., Mount Holyoke College

AWARDS

  • Honoree, Leadership Award, Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, DC, November 2024
  • Inaugural Recipient, Pay It Forward Award, The Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, Communications Law Institute Alumni Association, May 2016

Seminars

  • "The Spectrum of Space Innovation with founding FCC's Space Bureau Chief Julie Kearney," Just Another Space Broadcast, May 2025
  • "Policy, regulation, and competition for the new satellite industry era," International Forum on Space and Satellite Communications, Mexico City, October 2024
  • Keynote, International Institute of Communications (IIC) Ottawa, October 2024
  • Commercial LEO Program Symposium, Space Policy Institute, Washington, DC, September 2024
  • TPI Aspen Forum, Aspen, August 2024
  • "Unpacking the challenges and opportunities of Direct to Device and Hybrid Connectivity," The Future of Converged Connectivity, European Space Forum, Brussels, June 2024
  • "Space Law and Regulation Track, Regulatory Updates and Space Generation Fusion Forum," Space Symposium, Colorado Springs, April 2024
  • International Regulators Panel, FBCA Northern California Chapter, March 2024
  • Intro to the Space Bureau, FCBA Space Ad Hoc Committee, Washington, DC, January 2024
  • "Regulating Commercial Space Activities: Innovation Outpacing Regulation with Updates on Legislative and Regulatory Reform Efforts," Galloway Symposium Panel, December 2023
  • International Institute of Communications (IIC), Annual Telecom & Media Forum in Washington, DC, December 2023
  • Practising Law Institute (PLI) in cooperation with the Federal Communications Bar Association, Bureau Chiefs Panel, 41st Annual Institute on Telecommunications Policy & Regulation, Washington, DC, December 2023
  • AfricaCom, Cape Town, November 2023 
  • "The Changing Role of Satellites to Leapfrog Africa into an Era of Online Connectivity," How to Regulate LEOs / Discussion on Satellite Connectivity 
  • "Space 2050: The Future of Space Policy and Regulation," Caesars Forum, ASCEND Conference, Las Vegas, October 2023
  • Keynote, "Satellite Innovation," Mountain View, October 2023
  • Opening remarks and panel, "Powering the New Space Race," Spectrum Americas, Washington, DC, September 2023
  • Keynote, Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, DC, September 2023
  • APECTEL, Seattle, June 2023
  • DSI/SmallSat Summit, National Harbor, June 2023
  • "Regulatory Track: Regulatory Updates," Space Symposium, Colorado Springs, April 2023

Media Mentions

Prior Experience

Before joining the FCC, Kearney served as the Vice President of Communications Regulatory Affairs and Policy at Twilio Inc., a publicly traded Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider, where she developed and implemented the company's global telecommunications regulatory and policy and law enforcement response strategy. She also served as the Global Head of Communications Regulation and Policy for Loon, an Alphabet Inc. company, where she led international and US regulatory initiatives to bring internet access to unserved and underserved communities around the world via a network of balloons on the edge of space.

Industry Leadership

Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA – The Tech Bar)
  • President, (2017 – 2018)
  • Executive Committee, (2011 – 2019)
  • Secretary, (2015 – 2016)
  • Member, (2011 – 2018)
  • Chair, (2010 – 2011)
  • Trustee, (2008 – 2011)
  • Co-chair, Membership/Marketing Committee, (2006 – 2008)
  • Co-chair, International Telecom Committee, (2003 – 2004)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
  • Appointed by FCC Chair to serve as expert advisor to FCC on broadband, consumer, and accessibility issues
  • Member, Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee, (2019 – 2021)
  • Member, Consumer Advisory Committee, (2005 – 2008, 2010 – 2018)
  • Member, Disability Advisory Committee, (2016 – 2017)

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Board Member, USTelecom, The Broadband Association, (2021 – 2022)
  • Board of Visitors, The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, (2018 – 2022)
  • Founding Member, TechGC
  • Board Member, United States Telecommunications Training Institute, (2019 – 2021)
  • Trustee, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, (2013 – 2015)
  • Member, Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property Rights, US Department of Commerce and US Trade Representative, (2004 – 2005)
  • Board Member, United States ITU Association, (2002 – 2004)
    • Co-editor, The Point Newsletter

My latest insights

Publication

Interstellar Insights - May 2025

27 May 2025 .3 minute read

Publication

Interstellar Insights - April 2025

21 April 2025 .6 minute read

News

DLA Piper welcomes Julie Kearney, former FCC Space Bureau Chief, as Co-Chair of the Space...

25 February 2025 .3 minute read

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Phone

+1 202 799 4821
(Work, Washington, D.C.)
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