New York Law School is pleased to announce the formation of a new program – the Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute (ACLP). The ACLP focuses on identifying and analyzing key regulatory issues relating to the advanced communications sector, which includes wireline, wireless, broadband, video, and IP platforms. ACLP’s mission is to promote robust and solution-oriented dialogue amongst state and federal policy makers, industry, and academe in an effort to expedite the development of sound communications policies.

 

Traditional telecommunications systems are undergoing rapid conversion. Substitutes for the basic telephone, the advent of IP-enabled technologies, and competition amongst different platforms and technologies challenge both regulatory constructs and policy makers. Ultimately, regulatory reform is impacted by how well policymakers at all levels of government can grapple in real-time with the basics of law and economics, accelerated technological innovation, and evolving social goals. Through the ACLP, New York Law School intends to further contribute to the formulation and articulation of public policies related to the nation’s advanced communications infrastructure.

 

The ACLP is an excellent complement to the work of Professor Botein at the Media Center and to Professor Noveck’s work at the Information Law and Policy Institute. The ACLP will work with our existing programs to publish scholarly articles that focus on the key communications policy issues of the day. It will also seek to maximize the involvement of NYLS students, alumnae, and practitioners in the field.

 

The ACLP will also be offering a series of conferences, symposia, and workshops focused on “real world” regulatory law and policy issues in the advanced communications arena. Recently, for example, the ACLP hosted its first annual AdvancedComm Regulators Summit here in New York City.  Under the auspices of New York Law School, this event brought together leading state regulators, federal policy makers, industry analysts, market participants and academe to tackle a number of existing and emerging regulatory issues.

 

In addition to events, ACLP will offer students a number of unique and interesting opportunities to apply and hone their legal skills. Research opportunities are available for students who wish to enhance their knowledge of a particular area of the advanced communications sector. ACLP is also working with a number of industry organizations, like the CTIA – The Wireless Association, and state regulatory commissions, like the New York Public Service Commission, to secure internship and externship opportunities for interested students.

 

Charles Davidson, who most recently served as Commissioner on the Florida Public Service Commission, serves as the Director of the ACLP and a Media Center Visiting Scholar. He has led several state and federal policy initiatives, and his core goal with the ACLP is to help push NYLS to the forefront of the regulatory law and policy reform arena. Michael Santorelli (’05) serves as Associate Director of the ACLP and a Senior Fellow at the Media Center.

 

For more information, please email Michael Santorelli at mjsantorelli@nyls.edu.