Jim Baller is president of the Baller Herbst Law Group, a national law firm based in Washington, DC, and Minneapolis, MN. He represents clients in a broad range of communications matters nationally and in more than 35 states. He is also the founder and president of the US Broadband Coalition, a broad and diverse consortium of more than 160 prominent organizations that helped to forge a national consensus on the need for a comprehensive broadband strategy for the United States and recommended the framework reflected in the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan. In addition, Jim is the co-host of the broadband television policy series, Inside Voices on Critical Choices.

The Fiber to the Home Council has recognized Jim as “the nation's most experienced and knowledgeable attorney on public broadband matters.”  In 2001, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors named him its Member of the Year. In 2006, MuniWireless presented him its first Esme Award, for “working tirelessly to protect the interests of municipalities, many times in the face of huge opposition.”  In 2007, NATOA made him its first “Community Broadband Visionary of the Year,” for “almost single-hand