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Christopher J. Harvie

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[email protected]

+1.202.434.7377

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Chris is a well-recognized expert in privacy and cybersecurity law. As counsel on these issues for NCTA, the cable industry’s largest trade association, he is a leader in developing cable’s legislative and regulatory strategy and focus. He counsels leading cable and broadband companies, such as Comcast, on privacy and cybersecurity issues at the federal and state level, and assists the cable industry with its advocacy efforts in Congress, and at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and elsewhere across the Federal government. 

In addition to creating policy strategies and drafting and analyzing legislation, policy reports, and regulatory proposals, Chris also counsels clients on the impact of applicable privacy statutes and legal frameworks on data-related business initiatives. Chris also regularly advises communications companies on the latest legislative and policy activities in the area of cybersecurity, helping clients analyze the business and legal implications of cyber-related orders, regulatory developments, and policy developments emanating from the White House, federal agencies, and public-private entities working on cybersecurity issues. He regularly presents on privacy and cybersecurity issues, including at Practicing Law Institute’s annual Broadband and Cable Industry Law conference. 

Chris also has decades of experience assisting leading cable companies, such as Charter, on franchising, compliance, competition, and right-of-way access and use issues at the state and local level. 

Before joining the firm, Chris served as Senate Judiciary Committee Counsel to Sen. Howard M. Metzenbaum, chair of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Monopolies, and Business Rights. In that capacity, Chris worked on a broad range of legislative and policy matters, including telecommunications, intellectual property, and First Amendment issues.

From 1987 to 1988, Chris directed the Advocacy Institute’s Right-to-Know project, which helped develop advocacy strategies on issues concerning public access to government information.

During law school, he served as a member of the UCLA Law Review.

Chris is a well-recognized expert in privacy and cybersecurity law. As counsel on these issues for NCTA, the cable industry’s largest trade association, he is a leader in developing cable’s legislative and regulatory strategy and focus. He counsels leading cable and broadband companies, such as Comcast, on privacy and cybersecurity issues at the federal and state level, and assists the cable industry with its advocacy efforts in Congress, and at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and elsewhere across the Federal government. 

Experience

Cable & Telecom Transactions

  • Represented TPG Global in its $2.365 billion acquisition of Wave Broadband in 2018 to create the sixth largest cable operator in the country, changing the nature of the company from a small, relatively unknown competitor to one of the most powerful cable operators in the country.
  • Represented Charter in its $67.1 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks (in certain states).

Franchising & Rights-of-Way Issues

  • Represented Cox as lead Federal law counsel in connection with Cox’s Federal court challenge to a decision by the City of Tempe, AZ to award Google Fiber a license to use the City’s rights-of-way to provide video service without obtaining a franchise and pursuant to terms and conditions more favorable and less burdensome than the terms and conditions of Cox’s cable franchise. After a Federal judge dismissed the City’s motion to dismiss and ruled that the challenge should go forward, Google Fiber terminated its video license with Tempe, and the parties mutually agreed to dismissal of the dispute between Cox and the City.

Privacy & Cybersecurity

  • Counseling Comcast, the nation’s largest cable system operator, on cybersecurity policy issues affecting its cable and broadband services. In this regard, the firm assists Comcast in analyzing and responding to Congressional and agency initiatives on cybersecurity policy matters.


 

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viewpoints

Manufacturers of wireless devices used for Internet of Things (IoT) applications should take heed of new Trump Administration proposals aimed at reducing the cybersecurity threats from botnets and other automated and distributed attacks.
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Even president-elect Donald Trump has been the victim of a data breach. Several times actually. The payment card system for his Trump Hotel Collection was infected by malware in May 2014 and 70,000 credit card numbers were compromised by the time the hack was discovered several months later.  
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As we previewed last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted new privacy rules that govern Internet service providers' (ISPs) handling of broadband customer information.
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As we wrote previously, the federal government released several guidance documents last month implementing The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA). Among these was the Guidance to Assist Non-Federal Entities to Share Cyber Threat Indicators and Defensive Measures with Federal Entities under CISA published by the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice. 
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FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced that a proposed rulemaking is being circulated among the Commissioners that would establish privacy and data security requirements applicable to providers of broadband Internet access service (BIAS). 
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Verizon Wireless has reached a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission over Verizon’s insertion of unique identifier headers (“UIDH”), also known as “supercookies,” to track customers’ mobile Internet traffic without their knowledge or consent. 
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Last week, we discussed the Federal government’s first steps toward implementing the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA). Among the guidance documents released by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice were the Privacy and Civil Liberties Interim Guidelines.
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This week, the Federal government took the first steps toward implementation of the The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), enacted into law last December. 
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Just at the end of 2015, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) was enacted into law as part of the omnibus spending measure passed by Congress and signed by President Obama at right before Christmas. 
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News & Press

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

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Chris is a well-recognized expert in privacy and cybersecurity law. As counsel on these issues for NCTA, the cable industry’s largest trade association, he is a leader in developing cable’s legislative and regulatory strategy and focus. He counsels leading cable and broadband companies, such as Comcast, on privacy and cybersecurity issues at the federal and state level, and assists the cable industry with its advocacy efforts in Congress, and at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and elsewhere across the Federal government. 

Recognition & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America: Communications Law (2020-2024)

  • Recommended by the Legal 500 United States for Telecom & Broadcast: Regulatory (2017 - 2019, 2022 - 2023)

  • Cablefax Top Lawyers Awards Honor (2019)

  • Order of the Coif

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Chris is a well-recognized expert in privacy and cybersecurity law. As counsel on these issues for NCTA, the cable industry’s largest trade association, he is a leader in developing cable’s legislative and regulatory strategy and focus. He counsels leading cable and broadband companies, such as Comcast, on privacy and cybersecurity issues at the federal and state level, and assists the cable industry with its advocacy efforts in Congress, and at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and elsewhere across the Federal government. 

Involvement

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
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