Matthew Berry has joined the Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld law firm as a partner in the communications and information technology section of its regulatory practice. He was previously general counsel and chief of staff to former FCC Chair Ajit Pai.
Berry worked at the Commission for 12 years, handling a range of policy and legal issues. As Chief of Staff, Berry provided counsel on major telecommunications, cable and broadcast mergers; licensed and unlicensed spectrum; 5G; non-geostationary satellite systems; rural broadband; auctions and supply chain issues. He also handled a major initiative to update the FCC’s broadcast and cable media regulations, including the modernization of the agency’s media ownership rules, according to the law firm.
As General Counsel, Berry supervised the representation of the Commission in federal court litigation, arguing significant cases in the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and 2nd Circuit.
“Matthew is an incredible addition to our communications and information technology team,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith, “His deep experience at the highest levels of the FCC will be a huge asset not only to our telecom clients, but also to our funds and restructuring clients who are making investments in the media and cable industries. He also brings valuable litigation experience on FCC matters that will perfectly complement our market-leading appellate practice.” He called Berry’s mix of regulatory, policy and litigation skills “an ideal fit” for Akin Gump.
Prior to his FCC tenure, Berry served at the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) in the Office of Legal Policy as Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General and Senior Counsel, and as an Attorney-Adviser in the Office of Legal Counsel. While at DoJ, he earned the Department’s John Marshall Award for providing legal advice related to counterterrorism policy.
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