FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  July 28, 1999
  
 Jim Casserly, SENIOR LEGAL ADVISOR TO COMMISSIONER NESS, 
                    To Leave Commission
  
  Jim Casserly, long-time senior advisor to Commissioner Susan Ness, is leaving
  the Commission, effective August 6.  He will become a member of the law firm of
  Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo, P.C., effective 
  August 9.  
  
  During his five-plus years serving Commissioner Ness,  Casserly has been
  active in deliberations concerning a broad range of issues, from access charges and
  competitive safeguards to spectrum auctions and children's television programming. 
  He has been intensely involved in the implementation of the Telecommunications Act
  of 1996, with particular attention to local telephone competition, universal service, and
  federal-state jurisdictional relationships.  
  
  "Jim brought a wealth of extraordinary skills, besides intelligence and hard
  work, to his role as my senior advisor," said Commissioner Ness.   "I have especially
  valued his expertise on common carrier matters, his good judgment, his sense of
  humor, and his dedication to serving this agency and the American public.  He will be
  greatly missed -- not just by my office -- but by the entire agency, whose decisions
  were enriched by his wise counsel."
  
  Casserly said, "I have been blessed to serve an exceptionally able Commissioner
  at an exceptionally important time in the evolution of communications markets.  I have
  the deepest respect and affection for Commissioner Ness and for the many colleagues
  here who have worked so conscientiously to serve the American people."
  
  Linda Kinney will continue to handle common carrier issues for Commissioner
  Ness, while Dan Connors, who is responsible for wireless telecommunications and
  international matters, will also take on the responsibilities of acting senior advisor.  An
  announcement of a permanent senior advisor will be made shortly.
  
                          - FCC -