Before joining the FCC as a commissioner, Ms. Abernathy was vice president for public policy at BroadBand Office Communications; a partner in Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP; vice president for regulatory affairs at US West; and vice president for federal regulatory affairs at AirTouch Communications. Earlier in her career, she was legal advisor to two FCC commissioners and a special assistant to the agency’s general counsel. Accolades for Ms. Abernathy include her selection as one of the 2007 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers; the President’s Medal in 2005 from the Catholic University of America; and the Forerunner Accolade in 2002 from Women in Cable and Telecommunications for her commitment to encouraging, developing and promoting women in the industry.

Ms. Abernathy received her BA magna cum laude from Marquette University and her JD from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the Federal Communications Bar Association, of which she is a past president.