Practice Areas

Submitted by admin on March 27, 2009 - 04:50

TECHNOLOGY, INTERNET & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

C. Stewart Verdery, Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, Timothy E. Punke, Andrew Howell, Scott Corley, Rich Thomas, Jane Alonso, Lora Ries, and Ryan Spangler

Monument Policy Group offers expertise, experience, and relationships crucial for clients in the technology, Internet, and telecommunications fields. Our partners and professional staff have worked on nearly every aspect of policy debates affecting how Americans utilize technology, communicate, and enjoy movies, music, and other entertainment products. We have our finger on the pulse of the federal government's agenda in these areas, as well as on what companies in high-tech areas such as Silicon Valley, the Pacific Northwest, Northern Virginia, Massachusetts’s Route 128 Corridor, and Austin need from D.C. In several instances, we serve as the equivalent of a D.C. federal affairs office for companies from these locations.

We have assisted companies and associations whose business models are impacted and even determined by government policy in areas such as international trade, export controls, spectrum reform, broadband, net neutrality, and online advertising. Moreover, we have provided guidance to companies hoping to sell their services or products to the federal government and other buyers and have influenced policy to improve the playing field for their businesses.

Our team includes Founder & Partner Stewart Verdery, who previously served as Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security in the Border and Transportation Security Directorate and was intimately involved with advanced technology in areas such as biometrics, identity documents, and detection equipment. Prior to his DHS service, Stewart was the lead Republican lobbyist for the international media giant Vivendi Universal and served as General Counsel to Senate Assistant Majority Leader Don Nickles (R-OK), during which he was the co-director of the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force, the leadership’s outreach organization to technology industries.

Senior Vice President Scott Corley joined Monument Policy Group after an extensive career working on technology issues in a corporation, trade association, and Congress. He most recently spent five years at Microsoft, covering a wide range of issues including privacy, cloud computing, and Internet regulation. Previously, he worked for the Information Technology Industry Council, for Senator George Allen on Internet tax issues, and as Rep. Jim Rogan’s Energy & Commerce Committee staffer.

Partner Jessica Herrera-Flanigan has been on the forefront of technology issues throughout her career. She most recently served as Staff Director & General Counsel of the House Committee on Homeland Security, where she helped develop the Committee's technology, science, and research and development agenda. Previously, she served as Senior Counsel to the Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice and as an attorney at Crowell & Moring, where she practiced telecommunications, media, intellectual property, and energy law. She was named “Cybersecurity Woman of the Year” in 2005 by the Women’s High Tech Coalition.

Our team also includes Partner Tim Punke, a known policy leader for technology companies competing in the global arena. Building on his experience in the Clinton White House and as Chief International Trade Counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, Tim has counseled clients on trade agreements and market access issues; international antitrust issues and compulsory licensing; international technology standards; tax policy; and issues such as employment-based immigration.

Monument Policy Group maintains close relationships with key Congressional members and committees with jurisdiction over significant technology, Internet, and telecommunications issues, including the Senate and House Judiciary, Senate and House Commerce, Senate Finance, House Ways and Means, and Senate and House Appropriations committees. We also work closely on a bipartisan basis with congressional “high-tech” caucuses. In addition, we offer specialized expertise to companies with technology-based solutions in the homeland security and law enforcement markets and have excellent relationships with many agency CIO’s and agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, and White House offices with a role in technology policy.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Advocate on behalf of Fortune 50 software, entertainment, and media company on a wide range of high-tech issues, including broadband, Internet, gaming, and cybersecurity.

Represent Silicon Valley online movie rental company on issues relating to broadband, net neutrality, privacy, and related high-tech issues.

Advise the association representing video game manufacturers and publishers on its Washington D.C. agenda relating to a number of issues including broadband, FCC and FTC regulation, and content regulation.

Promoted biometrics-based security solutions at the Department of Homeland Security, allowing our clients to develop new lines of business with several components.

Support major online travel service on a variety of issues including privacy, advertising, taxes, and security.

Represented Pacific Northwest company on identification documents and content-protection technologies.

Serve as Washington D.C. office for an online real estate information site.

Assisted major satellite radio company with respect to its copyright, telecommunications, and antitrust agenda.

Supported technology company's CEO in his Chairmanship of the Secure Borders and Open Doors Advisory Committee.

Developed a legislative and agency strategy in support of the Registered Traveler program.

Provide Fortune 100 company strategic advice, counseling, and support on its civilian programs on such issues as interoperability, robotics, and IT.

SELECT CLIENTS

Among the clients we have represented in the technology, Internet, and telecommunications area are Microsoft, XM Satellite Radio, Zillow.com, Netflix, Entertainment Software Association, Cross Match Technologies, Sybase, EDS, Digimarc, IBM, L-1 Identity Solutions, General Dynamics, and Sabre (Travelocity.com).