Tara is Chair of the Communications Section and a member of the firm's Policy Committee. In her over 20 years in private practice, she has developed extensive experience in cable and broadband regulation. Her practice includes counseling and representation in connection with federal and state governmental matters, as well as communications-related transactions and litigation. She counsels communications industry clients on matters such as network access, net neutrality, OVD competition issues, and compliance with the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 and the related FCC rules for accessibility of advanced communications services and equipment. She assists clients with transfer of control issues in the purchase and sale of systems, and advises them in retransmission consent and program carriage disputes before the Federal Communications Commission and the courts. Her clients include Cablevision Systems Corporation, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Discovery Communications, AMC Networks, MSG Networks, and others.
Tara received her B.A. in Government and Modern European Studies from Cornell University (1990). She earned her J.D., with high honors, from Duke University School of Law (1993). She serves as the Washington office’s coordinator for community service activities, as well as the firm's Co-chair for Professional Development.
Publications
Speaking Engagements
- Co-chair, Program Overview, Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2016, Practising Law Institute (PLI) , New York, NY (04.14.2016)
- Co-chair, Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2015, Practising Law Institute, New York, NY (01.26.2015)
- Co-chair, Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2014, Practising Law Institute, New York, NY (01.27.2014)
- Co-chair, Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2013, PLI, Webinar (01.28.2013)
- Co-chair, Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2012, PLI, Webinar (01.30.2012)
Newsroom
EDUCATION
- Duke University (JD, with high honors, 1993)
- Cornell University (BA, Government and Modern European Studies, 1990)
BAR ADMISSIONS
- District of Columbia
- Massachusetts
Markham Erickson is chair of Steptoe’s Internet, Telecom, and Technology practice group, where he counsels clients in some of the most highly visible, complex legal matters in these sectors. He successfully applies novel and creative theories, earning precedent-setting outcomes on cases of first impression. Markham has represented Internet companies since the beginning of the commercial Internet, and has been the lead counsel for Internet firms in the so-called network neutrality debate since its inception. He regularly engages the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on investigations, complaints, rulemakings, and proposed mergers in the communications sector, and represents technology companies on questions relating to copyright and technology.
Markham is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top Internet and media lawyers. He serves as co-chair to the annual Broadband and Cable Law Seminar at the Practising Law Institute in New York City. He is ranked in The Legal 500, Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA, where he is described as being “as knowledgeable on internet matters as anyone I have ever met” and as a “first-rate lawyer.” In recognition of his authority in the field, Markham was appointed by the White House to represent the United States before the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on Internet speech and regulatory matters.
In addition to leading the firm’s practice group, Markham is co-chair of the Steptoe’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. He also is a member of the firm’s Professional Advancement Committee and its Hiring Committee.
