Julie Kearney
PartnerCo-Chair, Space Exploration and Innovation Practice
Admitted in the District of Columbia only
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...
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.
EXPERIENCE
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Was 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 aut...
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Was 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.
- J.D., The Catholic University of America - Columbus School of Law
- B.A., Mount Holyoke College
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- Honoree, Leadership Award, Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, DC, (November 2024)
- Inaugural Recipient, Pay It Forward Award, Catholic University Columbus School of Law - Communications Law Institute Alumni Association, (May 2016)
Seminars
- “Policy, regulation, and competition for the new satellite industry era," IFT Mexico, International Forum on Space and Satellite Communications, Mexico City, October 2024
- Keynote, International Institute of Communications (IIC) Canada, Ottawa, Canada, October 2024
- Space Policy Institute, DC: Commercial LEO Program Symposium, September 2024
- TPI Aspen Forum, Aspen,...
- “Policy, regulation, and competition for the new satellite industry era," IFT Mexico, International Forum on Space and Satellite Communications, Mexico City, October 2024
- Keynote, International Institute of Communications (IIC) Canada, Ottawa, Canada, October 2024
- Space Policy Institute, DC: Commercial LEO Program Symposium, September 2024
- TPI Aspen Forum, Aspen, CO, 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 Symposium, Space Law and Regulation Track, Regulatory Updates and Space Generation Fusion Forum, Colorado Springs, CO, April 2024
- FBCA Northern California Chapter: International Regulators Panel (virtual), March 2024
- FCBA Space Ad Hoc Committee: Intro to the Space Bureau, Washington, DC, January 2024
- Galloway Symposium Panel: “Regulating Commercial Space Activities: Innovation Outpacing Regulation with Updates on Legislative and Regulatory Reform Efforts,” 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 at the 41st Annual Institute on Telecommunications Policy & Regulation, Washington, DC, December 2023
- AfricaCom, Cape Town, South Africa, November 2023
- How to Regulate LEOs / Discussion on Satellite Connectivity
- The Changing Role of Satellites to Leapfrog Africa into an Era of Online Connectivity
- "Space 2050: The Future of Space Policy and Regulation” session Caesars Forum, ASCEND conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2023
- Keynote, Satellite Innovation, Mountain View, CA, 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, WA, June 2023
- DSI/SmallSat Summit, National Harbor, MD, June 2023
- Space Symposium, Regulatory Track: Regulatory Updates, Colorado Springs, CO, April 2023
Media Mentions
- Mentioned, "'Top Hits' From Jessica Rosenworcel's Farewell FCC Meeting," Broadband Breakfast, January 2025
- Mentioned, "The FCC Space Bureau: Women leaders shaping the future of space," The Mobile Century, Febru...
- Mentioned, "'Top Hits' From Jessica Rosenworcel's Farewell FCC Meeting," Broadband Breakfast, January 2025
- Mentioned, "The FCC Space Bureau: Women leaders shaping the future of space," The Mobile Century, February 2024
- Quoted, "FCC reaffirms orbital debris mitigation rules," Space News, January 2024
- Mentioned, "FCC and WRC: Regulatory Impacts on the Satellite Industry," Kratos Defense, October 2023
- Mentioned, "ITU to consider lunar communications regulations," Space News, October 2023
- Mentioned, "Get to Know a Member?," FCBA News, September 2023
- Quoted, "FCC launches space-focused bureau," Space News, April 2023
- Mentioned, "Federal Communications Commission launches their Space Bureau," Satnews, April 2023
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...
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)
- Co-Chair, Membership/Marketing Committee, (2006-2008)
- Co-Chair, International Telecom Committee, (2003-2004)
Federal Communications Bar Association Foundation (FCBA – The Tech Bar)
- Chair, (2010-2011)
Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA – The Tech Bar)
- President, (2017-2018)
- Executive Committee, (2011-2019)
- Secretary, (2015-2016)
- Member, (2011-2018)
- Co-Chair, Membership/Marketing Committee, (2006-2008)
- Co-Chair, International Telecom Committee, (2003-2004)
Federal Communications Bar Association Foundation (FCBA – The Tech Bar)
- Chair, (2010-2011)
- Trustee, (2008-2011)
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, Catholic University 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 ...
- Board member, USTelecom, The Broadband Association, (2021-2022)
- Board of Visitors, Catholic University 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
