I was raised by a pacifist who wholly believed Dr King and Mahatma Ghandi’s creed of nonviolence. Then I learned about WWII and confronted bullies on the playground and realized that sometimes violence is a necessary response to injustice and violence. I enlisted in the Marines to put action to my belief that I was…
Public Hearings Online in Georgia – Chris Balch Clarifies
In an article published today, the AJC stated (without citation or authority) that public hearings by local governments had to be held in person. That is flatly incorrect. Georgia cities, including Brookhaven, have been conducting public hearings via online platforms throughout the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to do so. The Open Meetings Act, O.C.G.A. § 51-14-1et seq., allows…
Governor Kemp’s Executive Order 05.12.20.02 Opens Pools But Leaves Much to the Imagination
Yesterday afternoon, the Governor issued Executive Order 05.12.20.02. Written in the intensely bureaucratic language we have come to expect, the Order is far from a model of clarity. By omission, the Governor has directed that public pools are allowed to reopen. Pools are not included or directly mentioned in the Executive Order but they are…
Chris Balch’s Ordinance for Brookhaven, GA, Designed to Save Lives During COVID-19, Adopted by GMA and ACCG
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…