CU Law Profiles
Faculty Profile

Phil J. Weiser

Telecomm, IP & Antitrust

You may also visit my faculty home page.

Hometown

Hastings-on-Hudson, New York (Westchester County, about 30 minutes outside the New York City)

Hobbies, Sports, or Extracurricular Passions

Avid baseball fan; devoted pick-up basketball player; reading; playing with kids

Favorite Book

The Lord of the Rings

Favorite Movie

Fletch

What were you doing before you came to the University of Colorado Law School?

Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division

What is one interesting, fun, or offbeat thing you have done in your lifetime?

Took a driving tour of the baseball parks in the Midwest.

What do you consider to be one of your biggest accomplishments?

Having a baby girl (Aviva)

What do you like most about Boulder?

The Flatirons are breathtaking.

What do you like least about Boulder?

People who believe in herbalists and shun modern medicine.

Favorite Place To Eat Out in Boulder

Sushi Zenmai

Why did you decide to become a professor?

The opportunity to teach, take time to follow my ideas in research, and enjoy a flexible lifestyle that would afford me an opportunity to pursue a variety of extra-curricular interests.

What do you like most about teaching at CU?

The students here are terrific and we also enjoy a terrific surrounding community of professionals interested in supporting CU.

What area of law are you most interested in and why?

My primary focus in is technology law. In general, I always found the economics of regulation and industry structure fascinating. After law school and clerking for a couple of years, Joel Klein, then the head of the Antitrust Division, offered me an opportunity to work at the Division and focus on telecommunications policy. Before that, I had not taken much of a particular interest in the area, but I did realize that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 would create a number of interesting legal issues. Little did I realize how intellectually rich and engaging I would find the numerous issues at the intersection of technology, law, and business (see my book by clicking here!

Are you involved with any student organizations?

I am the faculty advisor to the Journal of Telecommunications and High Technology Law as well as the telecommunications and trademark law moot court teams. I am also the Executive Director of the Silicon Flatirons Telecommunications Program. For students interested in the legal issues associated with technology, all of these organizations provide valuable exposure to cutting edge-legal issues.

What piece of advice would you give a student about surviving being a 1L?

Don't believe the hype. Get life in perspective and keep your mind focused on being intellectually curious and engaged--as opposed to worrying whether you are keeping up with others.

What piece of advice would you give a student about getting the most out of law school?

Find the areas and professors that you are most enthusiastic about and go with them. Also, be mindful of the opportunity to develop a network of contacts and career options as you get involved in an array of extra-curricular activities.

What piece of advice would you give a 1L or 2L as they choose their 2L and 3L courses?

Don't worry about the bar exam. A review course will teach you what you need to know.

What are the top three reasons that you think a prospective student should choose CU Law?

1. It has a terrific student body that excels academically, supports one another, and keeps things in perspective
2. It has a great faculty-student ratio and a culture that values the nurturing of intellectual inquiry and professional development.
3. Boulder is a spectacular place to live

What piece of advice would you give a prospective student about choosing a law school?

Trust your instincts. As you visit places, try to imagine yourself there and go with the place that seems to fit you the best.

Could you describe each of the main classes that you teach, and give your explanation of what those classes are about?

Telecommunications Law Discusses the regulatory challenges in facilitating competition in the wireline, wireless, video, and Internet industries.

Introduction to Intellectual Property Examines the structure of our nation's intellectual property laws.

The Law and Economics of the Information Age (seminar) Considers the broad array of legal and economic issues that confront the information industries.

Privacy, Security, and Digital Rights Management Covers the law governing the protection of information, including personal privacy, computer security, and digital content