Christina Lee/MNS
Current Position: Chief of Staff to FCC Chairman Julius Genakowski
Boss: Julius Genakowski, Federal Communication Commission Chairman
Christina Lee/MNS
Why He Matters
“As the issues percolate up from the bureaus and the Chairman’s office–the last stop before they get to Chairman Genachowski is usually my desk,” said Lazarus.
Lazarus and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski both took office in June 2009.
In the Fall and early 2010, Lazarus helped develop the National Broadband Plan, which includes efforts to increase accessibility to high-speed broadband and mobile communications.
Path to Power
After clerking for Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun in 1989 Lazarus looked for new projects to explore. This resulted in two books. “Black Hills/White Justice: The Sioux Nation versus the United States, 1775 to the Present” and “Closed Chambers: The Rise, Fall and Future of the Modern U.S. Supreme Court” both remain in circulation after more than a decade. The first book covered the longest-running legal case in U.S. history, on which Lazarus’ father worked as a lawyer for the Sioux Indians for more than 25 years. The second touched on the behind-the-scenes drama of the Supreme Court.
But these projects left more to be desired and Hollywood came calling.
“To be honest, I was burnt out,” said Lazarus. “I was living in a very remote part of Massachusetts at that time and a friend of mine, who was becoming a successful screenwriter called me up and said, you know what—why don’t you come out here and we’ll write a movie together. At the time, that sounded great. Threw my clothes in the car, drove across the country, and before I knew it, we set up a script with David Geffen’s company and we wrote a movie.”
Although Lazarus’ screenplay made its way to Clint Eastwood, the legal thriller never got turned into a movie. While in Hollywood, Lazarus met his wife in the movie business and they stayed in the West Coast for 19 years.
From 1997 to 2000, Lazarus returned to law as a prosecutor for the U.S. Attorneys’ office in Los Angeles. Then in 2000 he moved into private practice as a lawyer for the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLC, where he helped launch an appellate department.
“[Lazarus] was instrumental in recruiting others to join the group and in developing the practice by winning many important cases,” said Rex S. Heinke, a partner at the firm’s Los Angeles office. “He has a keen intellect, a quick sense of humor, and knows how to work well with others.”
Sometime in the mid-1990s Lazarus met Julius Genachowski through mutual friends. Lazarus recalls the development of their friendship as one that grew over time. He attributes Genachowski’s connection to now President Barack Obama for getting connected to the current administration. Lazarus worked on the 2008 National Finance Committee for then Presidential candidate Barack Obama.
In Their Own Words
“Well, I think at the end of the day, like any public servant, you want to feel as though you’ve pushed the ball a little bit in the right direction. And the right direction here is trying to make sure that the United States has the kind of 21st century communications network that it needs to be globally competitive to provide for economic growth and jobs here at home. We have a range of programs designed to help us do that—so if I can look back when I finish my time here and feel like we actually succeeded in moving the needle on that then I’ll be very satisfied.”
On any current writings since the former author’s move to the public sector: “Other than memos to the Chairman, no. One of the things that happens when you go into government is that you’re not really allowed to express your own opinion–it’s the opinion of the government and the agencies–a very different kind of job from being a writer.”
The Issues
In May 2009, the FCC proposed the National Broadband Plan, which includes provisions to make relatively quick (100mb/sec downloads and 50mb/sec uploads) internet access available to all Americans.
The FCC hopes the Plan will “stimulate economic growth, spur job creation, and boost our capabilities in education, healthcare, homeland security and more.”
Lazarus said he spent a great deal of time developing the Plan from the Fall of 2009 into the early part of 2010.
Comcast-NBC Universal deal
Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, is seeking to buy a 51 percent share of NBC Universal. FCC regulators must approve the deal and set the terms. Lazarus will be part of the team that constructs the conditions of the deal, if it’s approved.
Campaign Contributions
Lazarus has donated more than $13,500 to Democratic campaigns since 2002. He has also worked on the 2008 presidential campaign for Barack Obama.
At a Glance
Current Position: Chief of Staff to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski
Career History: Co-Chair of the litigation group at Law Firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (2000-2009); Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney General in Los Angeles (1997-2000); Clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun
Birthday: Sept. 9, 1959
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Alma Mater: Yale, B.A. (History and Classical Civilization), 1981; Yale Law, 1987
Spouse: Married
DC Office: 445 12th St SW
Email edward.lazarus@fcc.gov
Web site www.fcc.gov