U.S. Senate senior Commerce Committee aide Greg Orlando brings 15 years of experience to the firm

BakerHostetler today announced that United States Senate senior Commerce Committee aide Greg Orlando has joined the firm as a senior advisor on the Federal Policy team. Orlando brings more than 15 years of combined experience on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies, advising federal policymakers from all branches of government in every sector of telecommunications policy. He most recently served as senior Commerce Committee aide to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, advising Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., on communications and technology policy. He joins a renowned team of former government officials and staff members led by former U.S. Congressman Mike Ferguson, who joined the firm in June.

For the past seven years, Orlando has held several high-ranking positions counseling U.S. senators on various facets of telecommunications, media, technology and internet policies. He handled communications policy for Chairman Thune and previously Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.

Prior to his U.S. Senate service, he served as the Wireline legal advisor to former FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate on all broadband policy related to net neutrality matters, universal service and intercarrier compensation reform, among others. In that role, Orlando evaluated proposed Commission rules and policies; analyzed proposals by industry, trade associations and consumer groups; and negotiated policies and rules with offices of other commissioners and the FCC chairman.

Orlando served as a communications specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), handling legal compliance and project management for the $4.7 billion program to expand broadband deployment, access and education in the U.S. On the House side, Orlando served as legislative director for former U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-N.J., and counseled him on policy matters related to the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee.

“BakerHostetler has earned a stellar reputation for its work advising companies large and small on important policy matters affecting their bottom line,” said Orlando. “When technology changes, it’s important for businesses to understand how legislation and regulation impact those technologies. I’m pleased I’ll be able to help BakerHostetler’s clients understand this intersection between policy and business.”

“Greg has an exceptional background advising on telecommunications and technology-related legislation and regulatory policies,” said Michael Ferguson, leader of the Federal Policy team. “We’re excited to welcome him to the team as it continues to grow and evolve into areas that are important to our clients. I’m personally excited to be working with Greg again – his wide-ranging experience will benefit our team.”

“The growth of the Federal Policy team is important to the strategic direction of the firm,” said Jeff Paravano, managing partner of the Washington office. “Greg is an outstanding addition and will be a tremendous resource for our clients.”

“We’re thrilled that Greg is joining us in advance of what we anticipate will be a year filled with changing legislation and regulations in Washington,” said Paul Schmidt, chair of the firm’s Tax Group. “He’ll bolster our Federal Policy team’s ability to help our clients better understand how government policies will affect their companies.”

Orlando graduated with his J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 1999, and earned his B.A. in English from Fordham University in 1993.

BakerHostetler’s Federal Policy team is noted for providing a variety of legislative, regulatory and tax strategic counsel to Fortune 500 companies, U.S. multinationals, foreign corporations, private equity funds, financial institutions, consulting firms, agricultural interests, professional sports teams and leagues, trade associations, and other not-for-profit organizations. The 20-member team is widely recognized as a pre-eminent policy firm in Washington by key decision makers in Congress, including members of the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House and Senate leadership, as well as White House, Treasury, State Department and other administration officials. The firm’s co-sponsorship of the Annual Legislative and U.S. Government Policy Seminar is in its 28th year, and is widely considered to be Washington’s most prominent annual seminar on legislative policy developments.