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.
viewpoints
Action Items on Technology and Communication Policies in front of the Senate Commerce Committee
January 14, 2021 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie
Senate Passes IoT Cybersecurity Bill by Unanimous Consent
November 18, 2020 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie
Twitter, Facebook, Google Heads Testify on Section 230 and Local Journalism
October 29, 2020 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie
Cantwell-Cassidy Exposure Notification Privacy Act – A Bipartisan Bill on Disease Contact Tracing
June 9, 2020 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie
The Implications of Trump's Executive Order and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act
June 3, 2020 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie
The View from DC: Expansion of COPPA?
February 7, 2020 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie, Cynthia Larose
Congressional Privacy Action – Part 2: The House
January 29, 2020 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie, Cynthia Larose
Congressional Privacy Action – Part 1: The Senate
January 28, 2020 | Blog | By Christian Tamotsu Fjeld, Christopher Harvie, Cynthia Larose
October Is National Cyber Security Awareness Month: NTIA Requests Comment on a Proposed Risk-Management Approach to Consumer Data Privacy
October 1, 2018 | Blog | By Ari Moskowitz, Christopher Harvie, Cynthia Larose
National Cyber Strategy Aims to Deter through Strength; Collaborate with Private Sector to Secure Cyberspace
September 28, 2018 | Blog | By Christopher Harvie, Cynthia Larose
News & Press
Mintz's Christopher Harvie Honored as Cablefax Top Lawyer
April 11, 2019
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
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
Recent Insights
