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: FY 2024 Fees; $470k Penalty for ACP Violations; Broadband Labels Compliance Date; AI Robocall NPRM; Cybersecurity Labeling Applications [Vol. XXI, Issue 38] - (Posted On Monday, September 16, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: FY 2024 Regulatory Fees; Section 706 NOI; Illegal Calls and Texts Proposal; CBRS NPRM; 17 GHz Proposal [Volume XXI, Issue 37] - (Posted On Monday, September 09, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: $950k Settlement for 911 Outage; FCC Adopts UAS Rules; FCC Adopts 5G Fund Rules; Fifth Circuit Stays USF Ruling [Vol. XXI, Issue 36] - (Posted On Tuesday, September 03, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: $1 Million for Robocall Violations; $96,000 for NORS Violations; Louisiana Launches BEAD Funding; BDC Filing Violations [Volume XXI, Issue 35] - (Posted On Monday, August 26, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: 911 Reliability Certification System; CBRS NPRM; BDC NPRM Pleading Cycle; $160,000 Penalty for Unauthorized Satellite [Vol. XX, Issue 34] - (Posted On Monday, August 19, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: New Emergency Alert Code; Robocall Mitigation Database NPRM; AI-Generated Robocall NPRM; USF Contribution Factor Comments [Vol. XXI, Issue 33] - (Posted On Monday, August 12, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: $15 Million for Network Outage Violations; Cybersecurity Labeling Program; Net Neutrality Rules; August Open Meeting [Volume XXI, Issue 32] - (Posted On Monday, August 05, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: USF Struck Down; AI Transparency Requirements; AT&T Service Outage Report; $16 Million Penalty for CPNI Violations [Vol. XXI, Issue 31] - (Posted On Monday, July 29, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: NG911 Rules; Robocall Mitigation Database Proposed Rulemaking; AI-Generated Robocall Rules; E-Rate Funding for Schools and Libraries [Vol. XXI, Issue 30] - (Posted On Monday, July 22, 2024)
- Telecom Alert: 911 Service Outage Petition; BDC Improvements; Open Internet Order Effective Date Robocall Spring Cleaning; $34.6 Million Settlement [Vol. XXI, Issue 29] - (Posted On Monday, July 15, 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.