Education
Ph.D., UC Davis, 2015
M.A., San Francisco State University, 2008
J.D., University of Michigan, 1979
B.A., Brandeis University, 1976
Background
I returned to the academy after a career as a lawyer and executive with telecommunications and internet companies.
Teaching
I taught history of democracy, US Constitutional history, historiography, modern European and world history, and introductory International Relations, at San Francisco State University from 2012-24. I often used historically-embedded live-action role-playing games from the “Reacting to the Past” pedagogy.
I am the co-founder of the History for the 21st Century Project (www.history21.com) designed to assess and reconceptualize introductory history courses in US colleges and universities.
I teach public history courses on modern European and world history.
Recent Publications
- Review, Ron Harris, Going the Distance: Eurasian Trade and the Rise of the Business Corporation 1400-1700, Journal of World History 33:1 (2022) 171-174
- “Manufacturing International Law: Pre-printed Treaties in the 'Scramble for Africa',” Journal of the History of International Law 22:3 (2020) 439-465
- “International Arbitration,” Encyclopedia of Diplomacy (Wiley-Blackwell, 2018)
- “Arbitration at Vienna: Recasting the History of International Dispute Resolution” –Jus Gentium (3:2, 2018)
- Review, Lauren Benton and Lisa Ford, Rage for Order, Journal of World History 29:1 (2018) 102-5
- Review, Steven Press, Rogue Empires, Jus Gentium 2:2 (2017) 662-665
- “Taming Arbitration: States’ Men, Lawyers, and Peace Advocates in the Pre-World War I Era,” Journal of the History of International Law 19:3 (2017) 362-396
- “The Global Construction of International Law in the 19th Century: The Case of Arbitration” –Journal of World History 27:2 (2016) 303-325
- My blog: “Condemned to Repeat It” appears weekly on my website (www.steveharris.net)
Law and Business
2003-2009 STEVEN M. HARRIS LEGAL AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
Worked with a variety of telecommunications and internet companies on legal issues, strategic matters, organizational design and implementation.
2002-2003 COMETA NETWORKS, INC.
Vice President - Corporate Affairs & General Counsel
Retained to build start-up organization and infrastructure for wireless data access wholesaler created by AT&T, IBM, Intel, Apax and 3i. Established corporate structure and operations, initially responsible for legal, financial, human resource, corporate communications and business development functions.
1998-2002 SOFTNET SYSTEMS, INC.
Senior Vice President-Corporate Affairs & General Counsel
Responsible for legal, corporate and external affairs for publicly-held, global broadband internet services provider using cable, satellite and wireless technologies; including M&A, contracts, public policy, litigation, corporate and securities, IP and compliance. Managed human resources, corporate communications and corporate strategy.
1983-1998 PACIFIC TELESIS GROUP
Vice President, Broadband Services, 1993-1998
Part of the leadership team for PacTel’s entry into video services and creation of "information superhighway" network. Built team for government relations, public policy, community relations, regulatory, public relations, and industry affairs.
Executive Director, Regulatory Planning and Policy, 1987-93
Managed development of public policy and helped frame business initiatives relating to competition, corporate structure, privacy, jurisdiction and new technologies.
Executive Director, Federal Regulatory Relations, Washington, D.C., 1983-87
Initiated representation of Pacific Telesis before FCC and participated in development of regulatory issues on behalf of Pacific Bell and its cellular and other affiliates.
1981-1983 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Legal Assistant to Commissioner Stephen Sharp
Legal Advisor to US Delegation, 1982 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, Nairobi, 1982.
Special Assistant to the General Counsel
1979-1981 SCHNADER, HARRISON, SEGAL AND LEWIS,
Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Associate Attorney