Christopher J. Wright

Partner

Christopher J. Wright

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Chris Wright primarily represents clients in appellate courts, having argued more than twenty -five cases before both the Supreme Court and the D.C. Circuit, as well as numerous others in federal circuit courts across the country.

Chris has handled appellate cases spanning a wide range of legal areas—from administrative to tort law. Chris and the other appellate lawyers at HWG are known for translating complex legal questions into clear, compelling arguments that resonate with generalist judges. As a former General Counsel of the FCC, his cases frequently involve challenging and/or defending FCC orders.

Recognition

Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for Communications Law and Appellate Practice (2008 – present)
Ranked in Chambers USA for D.C.: Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (2008 – present)
Named to the Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers list (2009 – present)
Named to the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, with high honors (2020, 2023)
Received the Amicus Service Award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association for exemplary work to protect and advance local government interests (2023)
Ranked AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

Representative Experience

Represented a trade association representing schools, hospitals, and libraries in persuading the Supreme Court in 2025 to reject nondelegation challenges to the statute authorizing the FCC’s multi-billion dollar universal service programs.
Represented a coalition of tech companies that persuaded the D.C. Circuit in 2022 to uphold the FCC’s Order doubling the amount of spectrum devoted to Wi-Fi in the face of challenges from AT&T and cable providers.
Represented a class of beneficiaries of Cigna’s pension plan in an ongoing case that has thus far resulted in $184 million in additional benefits for the class.
Represented the Crow Creek Sioux tribe and the Oceti Sakowin Tribal Utility Authority in a challenge to the FCC’s 2017 Lifeline Order, resulting in the D.C. Circuit vacating the Order and remanding for a new rulemaking.
Represented a provider of video relay services for deaf people in persuading the D.C. Circuit in 2013 to invalidate two FCC rules that signicantly raised the company’s cost of providing service.
Represented a public utility in the Supreme Court in a mulity-billion dollar case arising out of the California energy crisis in 2008, resulting in a remand that allowed the company to continue to seek relief from companies such as Enron.

Professional and Community Involvement

Professional Affiliations

Federal Communications Bar Association, President 2015-2016
Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court, President 2009-2010
Board of Governors of the D.C. Circuit Historical Society, Past Member
D.C. Circuit Rules Committee, Past Member

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Board 2000 – present
- D.C. Justice Committee, Member

Firm Involvement

Executive Committee, Past Member
Compensation Committee, Past Member

Publications and Presentations

Publications

“The FCC Must Reform its Enforcement Procedures to Provide Fair Notice,” HWG Advisory (July 2024)
“Impact of the D.C. Circuit Decision: Paving the Path for State Net Neutrality Laws,” HWG Advisory (October 2019)
“Restoring Internet Freedom,” HWG Advisory (October 2019)

Presentations and Lectures

“Appellate Advocacy 2024,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar CLE (October 2024)
“From the Lectern: Appellate Argument,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar Annual Appellate Advocacy Program (October 2023)
“The Judicial Year in Review,” (Panelist) FCBA’s The Judicial Year in Review CLE Program (June 2023)
“The Chevron Doctrine: Its Rise and Fall, and the Future of the Administrative State,” (Moderator) FCBA’s The Judicial Year in Review CLE Program (June 2022)
“Appellate Advocacy 2021,” (Co-presenter) D.C. Bar Annual Appellate Advocacy Program (October 2021)
“Courthouse Steps Oral Argument Webinar: FCC v. Prometheus Radio Project,” (Panelist) Federalist Society Webinar (January 2021)
“Appellate Advocacy 2020,” (Co-presenter) D.C. Bar Annual Appellate Advocacy Program (October 2020)
“From the Lectern: Appellate Argument,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar Annual Appellate Advocacy CLE (October 2019)
“Judicial Review of Agency Decisions,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar CLE (2018)
“Judicial Review of Agency Decisions,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar CLE (2017)
“Judicial Review of Agency Decisions,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar CLE (2016)
“Parsing the D.C. Circuit’s Net Neutrality Decision and Next Steps,” (Presenter) Webinar (July 2016)
“Judicial Review of Agency Decisions,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar CLE (2015)
“Judicial Review of Agency Decisions,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar CLE (2014)
“Judicial Review of Agency Decisions,” (Panelist) D.C. Bar CLE (2013)