Partner, HWG
Austin helps clients navigate the toughest challenges in technology and telecommunications law. As a regulatory strategist, she guides organizations and businesses through an evolving regulatory landscape by engaging policymakers and building coalitions. She has advised clients on regulatory actions at the FCC and other federal agencies, with a focus on internet regulation, spectrum issues, accessibility, and broadband. As a trusted advisor, Austin partners with product and engineering teams to confidently manage legal risks at the early stages of design — even when their technologies have outpaced the law. As an appellate advocate, shehas a proven track record of translating complex technical issues for judges.
Before returning to private practice, Austin held senior roles at the White House and the FCC. As Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer for Policy, she spearheaded a wide range of White House initiatives on technology, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence – including the National Spectrum Strategy, communications security and reliability, national security issues, and competition. She also served as the inaugural Vice Chair of the Chief AI Officers Council and the Deputy Director of the National AI Initiative Office, aligning AI efforts across the federal government and facilitating transformative AI applications within federal agencies. At the FCC, Austin advised Commissioner Geoffrey Starks on wireline, public safety, and national security issues and served as his Acting Chief of Staff.
Chief of Staff, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Mr. Delacourt is Chief of Staff of the Federal Communications Commission. In this role, he manages the Chairman's policy agenda and strategic initiatives and serves as Chief Operating Officer for the Agency. He has a broad range of experience in telecommunications and technology law and policy spanning both the governmental and private sectors. Scott joined the FCC from Wiley Rein LLP where he served as Partner and Chair of the Wireless Practice Group. He previously served in leadership positions at the FCC, including Deputy Bureau Chief and Chief of Staff of the Wireless Bureau, Senior Counsel in the Office of General Counsel, and Legal Advisor to the Wireless Bureau Chief. Scott received his Law Degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, and his Bachelor’s Degree, summa cum laude, from Georgetown University.
Chief of Staff, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Brooke Donilon is Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Prior to NTIA, Donilon was Vice President of Government Relations for NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. She also served as Chief of Staff to Commissioner Michael O’Rielly at the Federal Communications Commission, Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Ron Johnson, and Chief Counsel for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs.
Donilon holds a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law and a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication and American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Legislative Counsel, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP
Slate joins WBK from his role as Counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he represented the interests of Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
During his tenure on the committee, he had primary responsibility over wireline and satellite communication policy and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Slate played a role in drafting and revising legislation touching on a myriad of communications matters, including NTIA reauthorization, social media facing national security issues, cybersecurity, and satellite licensing. He also managed hearings discussing rural broadband deployment, administrative oversight of the NTIA, and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Slate has also assisted in bipartisan, bicameral efforts to reform the FCC’s Universal Service Fund Program.
Prior to taking a position on Capitol Hill, Slate worked as an attorney advisor in NTIA’s Office of the Chief Counsel. In this position, he provided guidance on NTIA’s various grant programs, including the Connecting Minority Communities Program, the Broadband Infrastructure Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, the Digital Equity Programs, and the BEAD Program. He also assisted in grant-related guidance surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Build America, Buy America requirements.
Affiliated Scholar, George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center
Roger Nober is a Professor of Practice at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. Nober served as director of the GW Regulatory Studies Center from 2024 to 2025. His career includes service as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at BNSF Railway, Chairman of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board and Chief Counsel of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nober retired from BNSF Railway Co. in December 2022, after 16 years as an Executive Vice President responsible for overseeing legal and regulatory matters, environmental claims, compliance, communications as well as state government and community affairs. He also served on the Board of BNSF Railway LLC. Prior to joining BNSF, Nober was a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP.
From 2002 to 2006, Nober was Chairman of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. From 2001 to 2002, he served as Counselor to the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation. From 1993 to 2001, he served in a variety of roles for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives, including serving as chief counsel from 1996 to 2001. He has a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and a Juris Doctor from Harvard University School of Law.
He currently is an advisory board member at the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University, a member of the Business Advisory Council at Northwestern University Transportation Center, a member of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, and a past and current board member of a number of nonprofit organizations.
DOGE Unleashed: Trump Executive Orders and Their Impact on Telecommunications Regulation
Austin Bonner, Scott D. Delacourt, Brooke Donilon, Slate Herman, Roger Nober
Join the Federalist Society for a discussion on the impact of President Trump's Executive Orders...