Communications and Society Program

Gary Epstein, Managing Director and General Counsel, International Digital Economy Accords (IDEA) Project

Gary M. Epstein is the Managing Director and General Counsel of the Aspen Institute International Digital Economy Accords (IDEA) Project.

The recently launched Aspen Institute IDEA Project is a year-long internationally inclusive project designed to identify ways to promote innovation and market access opportunities, foster the freedom to connect, preserve open end-to-end networks and facilitate the free flow of communications across borders on an open Internet. 

Before joining the IDEA Project, Mr. Epstein was the founder and Global Chair of the Communications Practice Group of Latham & Watkins, a national and international law firm. He also served as team leader of the Economics and International Trade Team of President Barack Obama’s Transition Team and as Executive Vice President of SkyTerra Communications, an advanced satellite company developing an integrated satellite-terrestrial communications network. Mr. Epstein also served as Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission. He is a current member of the Commerce Department’s Spectrum Advisory Committee. 

Mr. Epstein graduated from Lehigh University (1968) with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, with highest honors. He graduated from Harvard Law School (1971) with a J.D., with honors.

Voice: (202) 736-5847
Fax: (202) 467-0790
E-mail: gary.epstein@aspeninstitute.org
Mail: One Dupont Circle, Suite 700; Washington, DC 20036