James M. Tobin is a Partner in the law firm of Morrison & Foerster. He is Co-Chair of the firm's Communications Practice Group and heads its San Francisco, California-based telecommunications group.

Mr. Tobin's domestic telecommunications practice involves representation of telecommunications service providers in the long distance telephone, cellular, and metropolitan fiber optic network industry segments in acquisitions or mergers, contract negotiations, and transaction structuring. He also represents large users in transactions and regulatory proceedings involving telecommunications issues. Mr. Tobin's regulatory practice focuses on matters before the California Public Utilities Commission, as well as their relationship to U.S. Federal Communications Commission requirements.

Mr. Tobin's international telecommunications practice includes advising regulatory authorities of foreign countries concerning the implementation of revised regulatory frameworks; advising foreign telecommuncations companies concerning U.S. and other international regulations and in connection with U.S. transactions; and the representation of U.S. telecommunications utilities in international negotiations and transactions.

Before joining Morrison & Foerster in 1988, Mr. Tobin served in corporate positions including Senior Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary of ALC Communications Corporation, and Vice President - Regulatory Affairs for Southern Pacific Communications Company (now U.S. Sprint) and Southern Pacific Satellite Company (now GTE Spacenet). From 1991 through 1993 Mr. Tobin also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Southern Pacific Telecommunications Company. He is also the former Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel), the long distance telephone industry trade association located in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Tobin received his A.B. with honors from the University of California, Riverside, and his J.D. from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. He is admitted to the bars of California and Michigan, and is also a member of the American Bar Association and Federal Communications Bar Association.