Chris is thrilled that his recent ordinance for Brookhaven, GA has been adopted by multiple municipalities, the Georgia Municipalities Association, and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia It’s about saving lives and flattening the curve of COVID-19 to prevent its spread and not overwhelm our healthcare system, while still adhering to the City’s Charter and respecting our nation’s Constitution. Says… Read More
SCOTUS to Discuss Chris Balch’s Amicus Brief on Qualified Immunity
The Supreme Court of the United States is still working, despite having postponed arguments for the rest of the month and closing the building to the public. They still meet to discuss pending and new cases every Friday. Craig v. Turner will be presented and discussed at the Court’s April 3 conference. We will likely know what may happen the… Read More
Postponed – Hear Chris Live on Signature Serenade and Help Make a Difference
Update – March 15, 2020 WCLK has postponed their 2020 Spring Membership Campaign. A rescheduled date for Chris and Victoria’s guest co-hosting of Signature Serenade will be posted here when we have that information. Chris and Victoria extend their deep appreciation to all who donated via the link below. If you have not yet had a chance to do so,… Read More
You, FCC, tell us again why cities are only allowed to charge rich telcos $270 to attach 5G tech to utility poles? Well, we just reached inside our A$$ and pulled it out, regulator tells court – via TheRegister.co.uk
Brexit aside, no one can call out absurdity like the Brits can. While some folks are still caught up on the red herring that local regulation equals no 5G (that 5G which doesn’t yet exist, by the way), The Register, a UK publication that sports the tagline, “Biting the hand that feeds IT,” highlights the FCC’s inability to explain or… Read More
The battle over 5G deployment in America’s cities – Balch Law Group on Axios News Magazine
Industry was way ahead of local government and government response for deployment of small cell wireless. They started coming to the City [Brookhaven, GA] with applications to deploy their devices and their facilities before we knew what was going on. And when we finally caught on to what was going on, we were like, “Wait you’re digging up our right… Read More
Balch Law Group Is Proud to Underwrite NPR Affiliate and Jazz Station WCLK
We believe that a big part of helping communities involves giving back to the cultural icons that highlight the best of what humanity has to offer. BLG is proud to underwrite WCLK. Jazz 91.9 WCLK is dedicated to developing and providing high quality multimedia and broadcast programs that uplift, educate and inform the Atlanta community and worldwide audience. Jazz 91.9… Read More
Because…Cookies
One of the very best things about being a boutique law firm is the ability to deliver personalized service no matter how big the client. So, in 2016 when Chris and his colleagues wanted to do something nice at the holidays for the staff of the cities BLG represents, Chris brainstormed ideas with his strategic planner and wife, Victoria Lansford…. Read More
A Peek Behind the Curtain
It has always been, and will always be, the policy of this firm never to discriminate against any person who seeks our representation. The Reporter Newspaper released a story online by Dyana Bagby about a legislative decision being considered by the City of Brookhaven, a client of this firm. It raises an important issue about how and when lawyers advise local government clients…. Read More
When You Want It Done Right
When John Ernst, Mayor of Brookhaven, Georgia gets an idea to create something big, something that will benefit his community for decades to come, he knows exactly how to get the ball rolling with integrity, transparency, and efficiency: He calls Chris Balch, whose firm Balch Law Group serves as the City Attorneys. One of these plans has now come to… Read More
Chris Quoted in Communications Daily
Slew of LFA Challenge Plaintiffs Reflects Communities’ Concerns – by Matt Daneman The plethora of municipality and state plaintiffs challenging the FCC’s cable TV local franchise authority (LFA) order in court… …Chris Balch, city attorney for Brookhaven, Georgia, also a plaintiff, said his locality’s participating due to concerns about the FCC order interfering in contractual issues between cities and cable companies…. Read More
Chris Balch, chair of the City of Atlanta Commission of Veterans Affairs
at Atlanta City Hall honoring Purple Heart recipients While Atlanta and our nation are indebted to all our veterans, those who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal have marked paid to that blank check they once wrote in favor of Uncle Sam by having been wounded in combat,” Chris Balch, chair of the City of Atlanta Commission of Veterans… Read More
Chris’ Recent Article in For the Defense
Defending Land-Use Cases When the Elected Official Is the Problem What to Do When They Say Something They Shouldn’t Have By Christopher D. Balch A well-conducted investigation will go a long way to helping a defense, but it is as much about public relations as about finding the truth and protecting public trust. Do the First Amendment rights of the… Read More