John Nakahata will be a panelist on the FCBA program “The 25th Anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996” on February 2nd. Featuring keynote speaker Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), who was a lead co-author of the ’96 Act, the event will highlight the historic significance of the legislation.

John Nakahata is the former Chief of Staff of the Federal Communications Commission and former Chair of the FCBA’s Enforcement Practice Committee. As Chief of Staff, he oversaw all agency operations and policy development, and was the principal strategic and policy adviser to former FCC Chairman William E. Kennard.  Prior to this, he served as Senior Legal Adviser to former FCC Chairman, Reed E. Hundt. John also served as a subcommittee staff director and legislative counsel to United States Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), where he helped shape and pass the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 and organized Senate hearings that resulted in the development and widespread adoption of a voluntary content rating system for video games.

Currently the head of HWG’s telecommunications practice,  John has represented carriers before the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and successfully negotiated Consent Decrees and other favorable dispositions on behalf of his clients.