FCC's Wheeler Names New Legal Advisor

FCC chairman Tom Wheeler has named Holly Saurer his new legal advisor, concentrating on international and consumer affairs, the latter covering a lot of territory since Wheeler has repeatedly said consumers are essentially the focus of all the FCC's activity.

Diane Cornell, who has been a top legal and policy advisor to the chairman since she joined the commission in 2013, is moving to the International Bureau, where she will be a special advisor to the chairman.

Saurer's FCC resume includes various Media Bureau positions, including associate bureau chief, senior legal advisor and attorney-advisor with the policy division.

She also has plenty of top advisory experience, having been acting advisor to the commission's other two Democrats, Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel.

“Holly has a wealth of experience in communications law and policy, both inside and outside of the Commission,” said Wheeler in announcing the changes. “She has provided invaluable expertise not only for the Media Bureau but for two of my fellow Commissioners. I am very pleased that she is joining my office as a legal advisor.”

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.