Baitup, Joanne

Tom primarily represents energy utilities and telecommunications carriers on matters before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).  For energy utilities, his focus has been on various ratemaking, cost recovery, and regulatory compliance issues, as well as on energy facility siting and renovation matters.  For telecommunications carriers, his focus has also been on regulatory compliance issues, including consumer complaints, and on intercarrier matters involving interconnection, arbitration, and compensation issues.  Tom has been named a "Rising Star" in the utilities area by Minnesota Law &Politics and is the Secretary of the Communications Law Section of the MSBA.

Before joining Briggs in 2002, Tom was an Assistant Attorney General managing the Residential Utilities Division (RUD) in the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General before the PUC.  In this position, Tom oversaw development of the Attorney General's legal and policy positions in PUC matters affecting residential and small business ratepayers.  He also oversaw consumer enforcement actions brought by the Attorney General against utilities.  Prior to managing the RUD, Tom served as general counsel to the PUC.  In that role he advised the Commissioners on the energy, telecommunications, and administrative legal issues arising in matters before the Commission.

During his 10-year tenure at the Attorney General's Office, Tom also served as a prosecutor in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and as general counsel to the Department of Human Services (DHS).  In the MFCU, he prosecuted fraud and abuse committed by health care providers participating in the State's medical assistance program.  As general counsel to DHS, Tom supervised a team of attorneys who advised the Department on the state and federal laws governing health care, mental health, and licensing programs, as well as defended the Department in legal actions in both state and federal court.

Tom has extensive litigation experience involving both civil and criminal matters.  His appellate experience involves more than fifty cases briefed to the Minnesota appellate courts and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, including two appearances before the Minnesota Supreme Court and fifteen before the Court of Appeals.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tom received his B.A. cum laude from Carleton College of Northfield, Minnesota.  He received his law degree magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law where he was a member of the William Mitchell Law Review.