James Green:  

Hi Everyone! Well, to start where we left off, after graduation, I took degrees in English and French from U of I at Urbana. I then entered a Doctoral program in English at Cornell, but I left after obtaining an M.A. to go to Law School at the University of Michigan. After law school, I moved to Washington to begin private law practice. Eventually, I joined the Federal Communications Commission, where I served both as Legislative Director and Special Counsel to manage implementation of electronic surveillance laws. I then served as an FCC Senate Fellow and telecommunications advisor to the Offices of then Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and the Democratic Policy Committee. After leaving government, I founded my own legislative consulting firm, Mercury Strategies, LLC. I love the business and being my own boss. I principally represent telecommunications firms, high-tech companies, municipalities and universities on telecom issues before Congress, the Executive Branch and the FCC. Some of my most satisfying projects, however, is not about telecom--or about making money, since they are both done pro bono. One of them involves seeking funding and political support for an interfaith university with a core curriculum focused on peacemaking, the Nazareth Academic Institute in Nazareth, Israel, which brings Jewish, Muslim and Christian students together in an effort to seed peaceful relations in that troubled region. It is a candle of hope for the future that is now burning more brightly as is has recently become certified by the State of Israel as a branch campus of the University of Haifa, a victory that was gained in great part due to the efforts of our fellow classmate, Rob Prescott--now Professor Robert Prescott of Bradley University. Kudos to Rob! From 2007 until the retired players accepted a settlement from the NFL, I also represented Mike Ditka's "Gridiron Greats" organization, as well as the Vince Lombardi Foundation, on all legislat...Expand for more