Christopher K. Sandberg
Partner

Experience

Chris Sandberg is a partner in the firm, and advises clients on a wide range of technology-related matters.

Telecommunications

He has been involved in the telecommunications industry for over 35 years, working first as a state regulator and then representing local and long-distance carriers, PCS carriers, CLECs, and aggregators/VARs. Mr. Sandberg regularly assists clients in securing operating authority, complying with state and Federal telecom regulations, responding to FCC and PUC complaints, negotiating contracts and licenses, and buying and selling businesses. He has also taught Telecommunications Law at the graduate school and law school level for over 20 years.

Information Technology

Mr. Sandberg has long been involved in legal issues relating to Internet, working first with BBS providers and then ISPs as the Internet developed. He helped organize and supported the first nation-wide association of independent ISPs. He has advised and represented broadband service providers, authors, content providers, and enhanced service providers on contract disputes, sales and marketing problems, CAN-SPAM compliance, billing and tax issues, and DMCA issues.

In the broader area of technology, Mr. Sandberg works with businesses that make or use technology as part of their core operations, including hardware and software vendors, publishers, and units of state and local government. He has served on two major public projects related to the use of the Internet and electronic media: the Minnesota Information Policy Task Force and the Minnesota Government Information Access Council. His client work includes negotiating organization-wide software agreements, creating master licensing contracts, resolving channel conflicts, and representing clients in state and Federal courts.

Energy

Mr. Sandberg has also had a long-term involvement with energy law issues. He was part of the team that drafted Minnesota’s first PURPA rules, and has been an advocate in gas and electric utility rate cases, proceedings for certificates of need, and wind energy siting matters. He has advised clients on renewable energy development, right-of-way issues, and utility power purchase agreements.

In supporting his clients, Mr. Sandberg drafts and reviews vendor contracts, obtains trademark and copyright protection, negotiates complex agreements, testifies before legislative and administrative bodies, defends professional licenses, and resolves commission payment disputes.

Representative Cases

In re Great River Energy 2010 WL 2266138 (Minn.Ct.App. 2010)
In re MISO Day 2 Cost Recovery 2008 WL 1748236 (Minn.Ct.App. 2008)
Johnson v. Commission of Health 671 NW2d 921 (Minn.Ct.App. 2003)
In re NWB Tel. Co. 1988 WL 47810 (Minn.Ct.App. 1988)
NWB v. MPUC 420 NW2d 646 (Minn.Ct.App. 1988)
In re Interstate Switched Access Charges by NWB 402 NWM 242 (Minn.Ct.App. 1987)
In re MPUC Initiation of Summary Investigation 417 NW2d 274 (Minn.Ct.App. 1987)

Presentations

The FCC’s National Broadband Plan: Seeing The Big Picture, 2010 Regional Communications Law Forum, June 2010
Change at the FCC: How Will It Impact Your Business? - Communications Technology Association of Minnesota - Annual Conference, October 2009
IP 101 for Artists: Protecting Your Work, Minnesota Indian Business Regional Development Conference, April 2008
CALEA on Broadband and VOIP, 2007 Communications Law Forum, July 2007
Aspects of Internet Privacy, The Patriot Act, and Cybercrime Convention, 2004 Regional Communications Law Forum, July 2004
Attorneys and Technology: Managing Technology and Related Ethical Malpractice Risks, 75th Annual Meeting of the Association for Transportation Law, Logistics, and Policy, June 2004

Publications

Telecommunications Law and Policy for the 21st Century, 6th Ed., Telecommunications Law textbook
The Pros And Cons Of Independent Contractors, Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce newsletter, Summer 2008
Limiting Liability For Online Discussion Areas, Scrapbook Retailer, January 2003

Professional Associations

FBA, MSBA

Civic Associations

Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America