We are deeply saddened to report that our friend and colleague Charlie Ferris passed away on February 16, 2024.
Charlie has been long recognized for his immense contributions to revolutionizing Communications Law. In 1977, Charlie was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to Chair the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a position in which he served from 1977 to 1981. Early in his Chairmanship, The New York Times noted the stir he was causing by arguing that diversity of programming content "ought not be achieved through regulation" but rather the better alternative of "increase[ing] the number of stations and encourage[ing] new patterns of ownership, principally by opening the doors to ownership by minorities." As he left his post, The Washington Post lauded his "legacy of change" and noted that his "deregulatory thrust . . . will be remembered as vital to the emergence of a new wave of communications technology." Later scholarly articles called him "Jimmy Carter's FCC Innovator." And so he was.
But at Mintz, we remember him for his true friendship, his strong and strategic leadership, and his open door policy. Charlie was instrumental in establishing and growing our Technology, Communications & Media practice in Washington, DC from 1981 to 2013. He made countless contributions to our clients, our people, our culture, and the communities that Mintz serves.
Charlie, we will miss you.
Additional details about a memorial honoring and celebrating the life of Charlie Ferris will be shared at a later date.