Tyrone Brown (born November 5, 1942) is an American attorney and retired government official. From 1977 to 1981, Brown served as a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Brown is currently a consulting counsel at Wiley Rein LLP, a law firm based in Washington, D.C.
Tyrone Brown | |
---|---|
Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission | |
In office November 15, 1977 – January 31, 1981 | |
President | Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan |
Personal details | |
Born | Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | November 5, 1942
Citizenship | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Hamilton College (AB) Cornell Law School (JD) |
Brown was born on November 5, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia, and grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. In 1960, Brown graduated from East Orange High School.[1] He received an A.B. from Hamilton College.[2] In 1967, he graduated with a LL.B. with distinction from Cornell Law School, where he was Managing Editor of the Cornell Law Review.[3]
After graduation, he served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the Supreme Court of the United States during the 1967-1968 Term.[4][5] In 1968, Brown joined Covington & Burling's Washington, D.C., office. From 1970, he held a series of federal government appointments and staff positions at the United States Senate, and then several corporate posts in publishing. From 1974 to 1977, he was an attorney at Caplin & Drysdale in Washington, D.C.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Brown to the Federal Communications Commission, succeeding Benjamin Hooks.[6][7] Initially, Brown declined the offer for the 21 months left on the term over concern on reappointment.[8] Hamilton Jordan, an aide to Carter, persuaded Brown to accept.[7] After approval by the Senate, Brown began his term on November 15, 1977, while continuing his participation in civil rights advocacy.[9][10]
One of his goals as commissioner was to increase minority ownership of broadcasting stations.[11] In 1978, he opposed dropping "public interest" from the FCC's consideration for broadcast licenses.[12] On June 11, 1979, Carter nominated Brown for reappointment to the FCC for a seven-year term and he was confirmed.[13] On January 31, 1981, Brown resigned from the Commission following the election of President Ronald Reagan, and was replaced by Mark S. Fowler.[14][15][16][17]
Later, Brown practiced law at Steptoe & Johnson and at Wiley Rein LLP, as well as serving as president of the Media Access Project from 2010 to 2013.[18][19][20]