Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

California, 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1987
U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1987
U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2006

Suzanne K. Toller

Partner

Co-chair, Communications Practice

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San Francisco

T415.276.6536

F415.276.6599

Suzanne Toller's work includes representing communications clients, with an emphasis on wireless companies, before the FCC and state public utility commissions. She advises clients on a broad range of regulatory and legal matters and develops public policy positions and legislative strategy on telecommunications issues. Suzanne also represents clients in local permitting actions and in civil litigation, in matters ranging from wireless cell site construction to breach of contract.

Suzanne's clients include: Cricket Communications, MetroPCS, NextG Networks, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and XO Communications.

Representative Experience

Richmond Residents For Responsible Antenna Placement v. City of Richmond, et al.

Defended wireless carrier against due process and CEQA challenge to permits granted for installation of wireless facilities. Superior Court found in favor of client on all claims. Court of Appeal affirmed in full. (2009)

North County Communications v. California Catalog & Technology

Represented wireless telecommunications carriers in suit brought by CLEC seeking compensation for traffic terminated on its network. The case was dismissed. The judgment was affirmed on appeal. 594 F.3d 1149 (9th Cir. 2007)

MetroPCS, Inc. v. City of San Francisco

Trial of a case brought under Section 332 of the Communications Act. One of the few cases in the history of this important statute ever to go to trial. The appellate opinion is the most important decision in the 9th Circuit construing this statute. 400 F.3d 715 (9th Cir. 2006)

NextG Networks of Calif., Inc. v. City of San Francisco

Order granting judgment and permanent injunction for NextG, pre-empting pursuant to Section 253 of federal Communications Act the defendant city's requirements for deployment of wireless facilities in public rights-of-way. 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 36101 at *11-12 (Patel, J.) (9th Cir. 2006)

Telecommunications regulatory approvals for Sprint Corporation

Obtained state regulatory approvals nationwide for spinoff of Embarq Corporation from Sprint. (2006)

Telecommunications regulatory for Sprint Corporation

Obtained state regulatory approvals nationwide for Sprint/Nextel merger. (2005)

CPUC 'cramming' complaint for major wireless company

Successfully resolved (through mediation) a CPUC 'cramming' complaint brought by a consumer organization against a major wireless company relating to its offering of ring tones and other wireless content.

FCC rulemakings for communications companies

Represented communications companies in a number of FCC rulemakings including those relating to intercarrier compensation, numbering, local number portability and telemarketing.

Intercarrier compensation dispute for three wireless providers

Represented three wireless providers in Southern District of California litigation arising out of an intercarrier compensation dispute; obtained dismissal of complaint.

Interconnection arbitration for two wireless carriers

Represented two wireless carriers in an interconnection arbitration against 11 rural local exchange carriers before the California PUC; prevailed on all issues.

Interconnection strategy development for wireless carrier

Developed a strategy for a wireless carrier to address rural carrier demands for interconnection in more than 20 states.

Legal and regulatory implications of mobile content offerings for a major search engine

Advised a major search engine on legal and regulatory implications of its mobile content offerings.

State and federal regulatory for wireless companies, competitive local exchange carriers and long distance carriers

Obtained state and federal regulatory approval for multiple mergers and acquisitions of wireless companies, competitive local exchange carriers and long distance carriers.

Wireless cellsites for wireless carrier

Developed and executed multifaceted strategy for a wireless carrier to address a municipality's refusal to renew land use permits for existing wireless cellsites.

Additional Qualifications

Vice President, 1999-2001; Senior Counsel, Legal and External Affairs Department, 1998-1999 – AT&T Wireless Services
Legal Advisor to Commissioner Rachelle B. Chong, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C., 1995-1997
Counsel, CMT Partners d.b.a. Cellular One, 1994-1995
Associate, Morrison & Foerster, 1987-1994

Professional & Community Activities

Secretary, 2011; Member, 2009-present – Conference of California Public Utility Counsel
Executive Committee, 2002-2003; Member, 1996-present – Federal Communications Bar Association
Conference of California Public Utilities Counsel, 1987-present
President, 2001-2003; Member, 1990-present – Women in Telecommunications

Professional Recognition

Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Communications Law by Best Lawyers, 2007-present
Selected to "Northern California Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters, 2005-2010