James (Jim) Baller represents clients across the United States (U.S.) in a broad range of communications matters, including high-capacity broadband network projects, public-private broadband partnerships, telecommunications, wireless facility siting, right-of-way management, pole and conduit attachments, and barriers to community broadband initiatives.
Jim was the founder and president of the U.S. Broadband Coalition, a diverse group of more than 160 communications service providers, high technology companies, labor unions, public interest and consumer groups, state and local government entities, utilities, charitable institutions, and other organizations. The Coalition fostered a broad national consensus on the need for a national broadband strategy and recommended the framework that was subsequently reflected in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Plan. Jim was also the co-founder and president of the Coalition for Local Internet Choice, an alliance of more than 600 organizations and individuals that worked to prevent or remove barriers to the ability of local governments to make the critical broadband infrastructure decisions that affect their communities.
Jim advises clients in numerous matters involving complex factual, legal, and policy issues. He collaborates with legal, financial, accounting, engineering, and other technical experts to assist state, regional, and local government entities in making comprehensive telecommunications plans, establishing state-of-the-art communications systems, developing strategic partnerships, and integrating right-of-way and zoning ordinances, franchises, licenses, pole-attachment agreements, contracts, forms, permits, and other related documents.
Jim is a frequent speaker on communications matters, and he has authored and co-authored numerous articles on such matters. This includes “Broadband Partnerships: For Many Communities, A Good Idea at a Good Time,” International Municipal Lawyers Association Journal (Sep-Oct 2021); “Public Infrastructure/Private Service: A Shared-Risk Partnership Model for the 21st Century,” The Benton Institute for Broadband and Society (October 2020); “The Emerging World of Broadband Public-Private Partnerships: A Business Strategy and Legal Guide,” The Benton Foundation (May 2017); “Economic Development: The Killer App for Local Fiber Networks,” Broadband Communities Magazine (November/December 2016); “A Practical Primer on Pole Attachments” (March 2012); “Report of the US Broadband Coalition on a National Broadband Strategy” (September 2009); “Bigger Vision, Bolder Action, Brighter Future: Capturing the Promise of Broadband for North Carolina and America” (June 2008); “A National Broadband Strategy: ‘Make No Small Plans,'” NATOA Journal (Fall 2007); “Eight Bold Steps to a National Broadband Strategy,” FTTH Prism (January 2007); “America Needs a Fiber-Based National Broadband Policy Now,” FTTH Prism (October 2006); “Deceptive Myths About Municipal Broadband: Disinformation About Public Ownership Impeding Progress,” Broadband Properties Magazine (May 2005); and “Curbing Anticompetitive Practices By Cable Incumbents: If Not Now, When?” NATOA Journal of Municipal Telecommunications Policy (Winter 2004).
Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, Jim was the president of a nationally-ranked boutique Washington, DC telecommunications firm.
More Legal and Business Bylines From James Baller
- Telecom Alert: Net Neutrality Order; 4.9 GHz Proceeding Filings; Data Privacy Laws in Maryland; Waiver Request Pleading Cycle [Vol. XXI, Issue 20] - (Posted On Monday, May 13, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: 70/80/90 GHz Rules; $200 Million Fine for Sharing Customer Data; Equipment Authorization Program NPRM; FCC and FTC MOU; 911 Telecommunicator Webinar [Vol. XXI, Issue 19] - (Posted On Monday, May 06, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: Net Neutrality Restored; Lower 900 MHz Petition for Rulemaking; 988 Georouting Second FNPRM; NORS/DIRS Pleading Cycle Extended [Vol. XXI, Issue 18] - (Posted On Monday, April 29, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: $100k Consent Decree; Colorado Protects Neural Data; 6 GHz AFC Complaint Portal; Pleading Cycle Set in EAS Proceeding [Vol. XXI, Issue 17] - (Posted On Monday, April 22, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: Broadband Consumer Labels Program; ACP May Reimbursement; Digital Equity State Capacity Grant; 5 GHz Rules for UAS [Vol. XXI, Issue 16] - (Posted On Monday, April 15, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: Robocall Spring Cleaning Initiative; NIST Cybersecurity Handbook; 6 GHz Interference Concern; New NEPA Categorical Exclusions [Vol. XXI, Issue 15] - (Posted On Monday, April 08, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: 6 GHz Interference Concerns; Antenna Structure Inspection Exemption; $10,000 Penalty for BDC and Broadband DATA Violations; $811 Million in DEA Funding [Vol. XXI, Issue 14] - (Posted On Monday, April 01, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: Transfer of Control NAL; 6 GHz Systems Modification; Estimated May ACP Reimbursement Range; 988 Lifeline Georouting NPRM Circulated [Vol. XXI, Issue 13] - (Posted On Monday, March 25, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: FCC Raises Broadband Speed Benchmark; New Emergency Alert Code Proposed; Cybersecurity Labeling Program; Supplemental Coverage from Space Model Adopted [Vol. XXI, Issue 12] - (Posted On Monday, March 18, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: Multilingual EAS Comment Cycle; ACP Program Wind Down; Auction Authority Alternatives Comment Cycle; Two-Factor Authentication for CORES [Vol. XXI, Issue 11] - (Posted On Monday, March 11, 2024)
The National Law Review selected the Telecommunications Practice Group at Keller and Heckman as a Go-To Thought Leader for 2021 for its coverage of legislation and regulation involving the telecommunications industry. Of particular note is its frequent updates on telecommunications policy and regulations through its Telecom Alert, which breaks down the latest news affecting the industry. Keller and Heckman authors who contribute regularly to the Telecom Alerts include Jaimy “Sindy” Alarcon, James Baller, Jason P. Chun, Timothy A. Doughty, Michael T. N. Fitch, C. Douglas Jarrett, Gregory E. Kunkle, Casey Lide, Thomas B. Magee, Tracy P. Marshall, Kathleen Slattery Thompson, Sean A. Stokes and Wesley K. Wright.