NEWS 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, S.W. 
Washington, D. C.  20554 
 
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. 
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). 
 
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 
 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov 
TTY: 1-888-835-5322 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 
January 14, 2014      Courtney Reinhard, 202-418-2013 
        E-mail: Courtney.Reinhard@fcc.gov 
 
 
 
FCC Commissioner O’Rielly Announces Additional Key Staff 
 
 
Washington, D.C. – Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O’Rielly today announced 
that he is naming Amy Bender and Erin McGrath as his legal advisors.  Until recently, both had 
been serving in an interim capacity.   
 
“Ms. Bender and Ms. McGrath are talented attorneys and dedicated public servants with 
incredible expertise in their respective issue areas.  They played important roles in getting my 
office up and running, and I am thrilled and exceptionally grateful that they have agreed to join 
my office.”   
 
“Amy’s knowledge of wireline issues is second to none and I will benefit from her good counsel 
as the Commission addresses such vitally important issues as IP transitions and universal service 
reform,” said Commissioner O’Rielly.  
 
Commissioner O’Rielly added, “Erin has a unique command of both wireless and media issues 
and will be an incredible asset as the Commission tackles many novel wireless matters, not the 
least of which is the upcoming incentive auctions.” 
 
Amy Bender will serve as Legal Advisor for wireline issues.  Ms. Bender served as a Deputy 
Chief in the Telecommunications Access Policy Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau, 
where she managed the high-cost universal service program, including the Connect America 
Fund.  Prior to that, Ms. Bender was detailed to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on 
Energy and Commerce.  Before her detail, Ms. Bender was a Legal Advisor to Chairman Kevin 
J. Martin.  Ms. Bender also served as a Legal Counsel to two Chiefs of the Wireline Competition 
Bureau.  Ms. Bender entered the Commission as an Honors Attorney in the Wireline 
Competition Bureau, where she worked on a range of universal service, competition policy, and 
pricing policy issues.  Before joining the Commission, Ms. Bender was a telecommunications 
associate at Wiley Rein & Fielding.   
 
Ms. Bender received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her B.A. summa cum laude from 
Rice University, where she majored in history and policy studies. 
 
 
 
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Erin McGrath will serve as Legal Advisor for wireless, public safety and international issues.  
Ms. McGrath has worked at the Commission since March 2000.  Most recently, she was Legal 
Advisor to Commissioner Robert M. McDowell focusing primarily on media issues.  Prior to 
joining Commissioner McDowell’s staff, she was an Assistant Division Chief in the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau’s Mobility Division.  During this time, she engaged in numerous 
rulemaking proceedings, reviewed several major wireless and media transactions, and managed 
post-auction licensing matters.  She also served as interim Legal Advisor to Commissioner 
Meredith A. Baker for wireless, international, and public safety issues.   
 
Ms. McGrath received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and her B.A. from 
the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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