Webinar Schedule

            

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Land Use Webinar
June 24 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Land Use Law 101
Join experienced land use and local government law practitioner David Warner in this webinar as he explores property rights, regulation of private property, planning, zoning, subdivisions and other modern legal issues in land use law. For those new to land use law, this is a primer on the up-to-date basics you need to know to spot issues and to determine the appropriate course of action. For the experienced practitioner, this presentation not only serves as a refresher course, but also includes new points of law that have developed in recent years, which impact the basics.
Speaker: David Warner

                    

                        
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David Warner serves as Principal Counsel with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Largo, Maryland specializing in land use and local government law. His past experience includes service as a city attorney for municipalities in California and Illinois, counsel to private development companies, and positions with the National Archives and Records Administration and State of Wisconsin. His work focuses on a broad range of zoning, subdivision, and planning issues involving complex development projects, administrative procedures, and litigation.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Affordable Housing Webinar
July 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Accessory Dwelling Units: The Key to Unlocking Affordable Housing
This webinar focuses on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) policy in Denton and Texas, with comparative insights from other states to highlight varying regulatory approaches and outcomes. Topics include the benefits and potential drawbacks of promoting ADU development, as well as impacts on neighborhoods, infrastructure, and housing affordability. The session also examines community sentiment, infill development opportunities, and trends in actual ADU construction by homeowners.
This presentation addresses both practical and legal considerations related to ADU implementation.
Speaker: Hilary McMahon

                    

                        
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Hilary McMahon is a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Denton, Texas, specializing in land use and planning matters for the city’s bustling development services department. Prior to joining the City in 2021, she worked in the private sector handling real estate and zoning matters for her clients.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Construction Law Webinar
July 8 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Land Use, Zoning, and Affordable Housing: Current Policy and Practice
The affordability, availability, and accessibility of housing remains a critical issue across the US. New England states have not been spared in this equation. Recent state legislative action indicates an appetite for change which could spur long-needed construction and development. In this session, leading experts will discuss: the successes and challenges of state-level zoning requirements, balancing local and state control and the impact of state control on home rule, and the potential for federal action. Other state-level efforts for the planning and financing needed to activate housing choice will also be discussed.
Speaker: Katie Hodgon, Donna Brewer & Jennifer Raitt

                    

                        
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Katie Hodgdon serves as Association Counsel to the Association of Towns of the State of New York. As Association Counsel, Ms. Hodgdon provides legal assistance and training to town officials on a variety of municipal issues, negotiates contracts on behalf of the Association and administers the Association’s Continuing Legal Education program, among other things. Prior to joining the Association of Towns, Ms. Hodgdon acted as counsel for the New York State Conference of Mayors. Ms. Hodgdon also completed a clerkship as an Appellate Court Attorney for the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department in Albany, New York.
Ms. Hodgdon is admitted to practice in New York and is a member of the New York State Bar Association, where she serves as co-chair of the Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee and the Code Drafting Committee of the Local and State Government Law section, as well as on the section’s Executive Committee. In 2023, she was appointed to serve on the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on the Ethics of Public Sector Lawyering, as well as to her second five-year term on the Third Judicial District’s Committee on Character and Fitness.
 
Donna M. Brewer  is a partner with Harrington Heep LLP, a private firm that concentrates in municipal law, and she heads the firm’s litigation and employment practice groups. Donna has served as a Town Counsel for over 25 years. She got her start in the municipal field by serving as an appointed member of her town’s Historic District Commission. Donna has decades of experience in public sector litigation on such disparate topics as zoning and land use, employment discrimination, procurement, and construction disputes. She is a graduate of Middlebury College and New York University School of Law.
 
Jennifer Raitt is the Executive Director of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, leading regional planning efforts in transportation, housing, economic development, and sustainability. With extensive experience in local and regional government and the nonprofit sector, she has managed multimillion-dollar projects and budgets, secured competitive grants, and implemented innovative planning policies. Jenny’s expertise focuses on planning solutions that drive inclusive growth and resilience.
Jenny chairs the American Planning Association’s Legislative and Policy Committee and is a board member of CHAPA and B’nai B’rith Housing. She currently serves on Governor Maura Healey’s Embodied Carbon Interagency Coordinating Council and recently served on the Commonwealth’s Unlocking Housing Production Commission which released its report Building for Tomorrow in February 2025. An experienced speaker, trainer, and author, Jenny’s recent published work includes Embracing Conflict: Honing Your Conflict Management Skills and Ending Zoning’s Racist Legacy. She has received multiple awards for leadership in housing and community development.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Voting Rights Webinar
July 10 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Proof of Citizenship and Other Election Proposals Impacting Voter Access
This webinar examines key aspects of voting access and election administration in Arizona, focusing on proof of citizenship requirements and proposed changes to early voting procedures. The session will provide an overview of how Arizona enforces citizenship verification for voter registration, contrasted with current federal legislation and legal standards. It will also explore legislative proposals aimed at reducing the early voting period to expedite election result reporting, alongside concerns raised by voter rights advocates about potential disenfranchisement.
Speaker: Christina Werther

                    

                        
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Christina Werther is a Partner at Pierce Coleman PLLC and has extensive state and local government experience, specifically in election law. As a former State Election Director for the State of Arizona and a current certified election officer, Christina has represented local governments in election lawsuits and advised state officials and local governments on policy, election administration, and campaign finance matters, including reasonable cause determinations and enforcement.
Christina serves as primary legal counsel for municipalities and her public law practice includes matters involving open meeting law, conflict of interest, public records, telecommunications, land use, government contracts, and state legislation. While serving as the General Counsel to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, Christina provided legal advice to League staff and the 25-member Executive Committee, filed amicus briefs and drafted model ordinances and legislation, and drafted and revised policies, manuals, and League publications. Christina has a strong relationship with the municipal staff throughout the State due to her efforts facilitating workgroups, meetings, and conferences, conducting regular trainings to elected officials and municipal staff, and providing technical assistance to League members and legal research to the municipal attorneys.
Christina is a frequent speaker on election issues and local government topics and has presented at numerous trainings and conferences for attorneys, clerks and elected officials. She remains active in the International Municipal Lawyers Association and the Arizona City Attorneys Association, serves on the Board of the St. Thomas More Society, a Catholic legal society (serving as President from 2015 to 2018) and has volunteered at Phoenix Legal Action Network assisting with completion of asylum applications. She also served on the Governor’s Bipartisan Elections Task Force in 2022 and has served as an elections troubleshooter in Maricopa County since 2007.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Grant Terminations and DEI Webinar
July 15 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Navigating the New Legal Landscape in President Trump’s Second Term: DEI, Federal Funding, and Litigation Related to Contract and Grant Termination
The second Trump administration has ushered in sweeping changes to federal policy on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), fundamentally altering the compliance landscape for municipalities, public agencies, and their partners. Through a series of executive orders, the administration has mandated the termination of DEI-related programs, contracts, and grants, and has introduced new certification requirements tying federal funding to strict compliance with anti-discrimination laws as interpreted by the current administration. These actions have triggered a wave of litigation, with courts across the country grappling with constitutional, statutory, and administrative challenges to the mass termination of federal funding and the imposition of new contract conditions.
This webinar will provide municipal lawyers with an overview of:

The key executive orders driving the rollback of DEI initiatives, including the termination of “equity-related” grants and contracts, and the new requirements for DEI certifications in federal agreements.
The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative and the increased use of the False Claims Act to investigate and potentially penalize entities alleged to be in violation of the administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws.
Recent federal grant and contract terminations and the resulting legal challenges to the validity of these executive actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, including an overview of key cases.
The jurisdictional complexities of challenging federal grant and contract terminations, including the interplay between district courts and the Court of Federal Claims, and the implications for seeking injunctive or monetary relief.
Practical impacts for municipalities, including the risk of funding loss, program disruption, and increased litigation exposure, as well as strategies for compliance, risk mitigation, and advocacy.

Attendees will gain timely insights into the current and emerging legal risks associated with DEI programming and federal funding, as well as contract and grant termination litigation and related best practices for those navigating this rapidly changing environment. The session will be especially valuable for municipal attorneys advising on federal grants, contracts, civil rights compliance, and public policy.
Speaker: Dominique Casimir & Sara Gerber

                    

                        
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Dominique Casimir is a Chambers-ranked partner at Blank Rome LLP, where she serves as Co-Chair of the General Litigation practice group. She concentrates her practice on addressing the cascade of issues confronting government contractors today, including complex disputes, internal and government investigations, enforcement, litigation, suspension and debarment, and strategic counseling. Dominique’s litigation experience is extensive, with notable successes in bid protests at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Government Accountability Office, and the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition, as well as in claims litigation before the Boards of Contract Appeal. She has a proven track record in significant government contracts litigation involving issues such as the statute of limitations, contractor key personnel matters, and the AbilityOne program. Additionally, Dominique has secured arbitration wins in prime-sub disputes and has facilitated efficient, negotiated dispute resolutions for her clients without resorting to litigation.
 
Sara Gerber counsels and represents clients in a broad array of matters related to government contracts, including government investigations, bid protests, contract claims and disputes, False Claims Act litigation, regulatory compliance, and corporate due diligence. Sara has litigation experience in federal and state courts, before the Government Accountability Office, and in various alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Artificial Intelligence Webinar – Free Live For IMLA Members
July 17 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Ethical Legal Research with Generative AI


Sponsored by LexisNexis.
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
This CLE presentation is for legal professionals who want a better understanding of the intersection between generative AI and legal ethics. Beginning with a foundational overview of AI and its generative capabilities, participants will explore the ethical implications as outlined by the American Bar Association (ABA) model rules. Key topics include maintaining competency (Rule 1.1), ensuring confidentiality (Rule 1.6), and effective supervision (Rule 5.1) in the context of AI use.
The course will also address potential sanctions for unethical AI practices and provide insights into the application of AI in legal research tools, emphasizing ethical principles and considerations. Participants will engage in discussions on specific ethical issues such as AI hallucinations, supervisory concerns, and confidentiality challenges.
The course concludes with a review of ethical AI use policies within law firms and an open discussion to consolidate learning and address participant queries. This course is designed to equip legal professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to ethically integrate AI into their practice.
After completing this course, you will:

Have a better understanding of Extractive and Generative AI
Be familiar with legal use cases for AI
Know how the ABA model rules are being applied to AI
Be able to draft an ethical law firm AI use policy
Be prepared to protect client data and work quality while taking advantage of AI

Speaker: Lisa Richardson

                    

                        
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Lisa Richardson is a Regional Sales Manager for LexisNexis State & Local Government.
She graduated from Miami University in 2005 with a BA in Political Science and European Studies and earned her JD from Case Western Reserve University in 2009.  She is licensed to practice in New York, as well as the Federal District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Lisa has over 13 years of extensive legal experience including serving as Senior Counsel in the Special Federal Litigation Division of the New York City Law Department, and as Deputy General Counsel of the New York City Department of Correction.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Contracts Webinar
July 22 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Municipal Airport Contracting 
In 2025, the City of Atlanta celebrates its 100-year anniversary as owner and operator of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest and most efficient airport. The presentation will provide a brief overview of the City of Atlanta’s procurement laws (local public contracting).  In more detail the presentation will discuss the incorporation of local procurement laws with federal contract requirements for municipalities that own commercial airports.
Speaker: Jessee R. Dagen-Tillman

                    

                        
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Jessee R. Dagen-Tillman is a Senior Attorney with the City of Atlanta Department of Law, representing the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

                            
                        
                    
                

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LGLC Supreme Court Review for Local Governments: 2024-2025 – This is not an IMLA Webinar
July 28 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Supreme Court Review for Local Governments: 2024-2025


This is NOT an IMLA webinar and CLE will not be offered.

Kitchen Sink Subscribers will need to register for this program, it will not be automatically sent.
Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the Supreme Court’s important decisions of the term impacting local governments. The Supreme Court heard several monumental cases this Term, including cases related to:

Public safety.  These include regulations pertaining to “ghost guns” and law enforcement’s use of force and the “moment of threat” doctrine
The environment.  These include the Clean Water Act and NPDES permit requirements as well as requirements under NEPA.
Employment law.  These include majority group discrimination, FLSA claims, and claims relating to post-employment retiree benefits.
Nationwide or universal injunctions (which has direct implications for current litigation regarding grant funding and grant conditions)

The LGLC is a coalition of national local government organizations formed in 2023 by the National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC) and International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) to provide education to local governments regarding the Supreme Court and its impact on local governments and local officials and to advocate for local government positions at the Supreme Court in appropriate cases. Visit the Local Government Legal Center to learn more.
Speaker: Luke McCloud & Amanda Karras

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Municipal Finance Webinar
August 5 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Fundamentals of Municipal Finance and Borrowing
Municipal attorneys are often asked, “Can we do this?”, when “this” relates to getting, spending, and borrowing money by their municipal clients. This session will consider the essential legal issues attendant to that question. We will discuss basic constitutional issues like public purpose, corporate purpose, and lending of the public credit; the theoretical distinction between taxes and fees; the legal ramifications of that distinction; and other limitations on the ways that municipalities can get and spend money. We will also briefly consider the role and types of municipal borrowing. Because the laws vary widely from state to state, the session will focus on issue spotting and general questions that the municipal attorney should consider when asked financial questions.
Speaker: Eric Shytle

                    

                        
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Eric Shytle is the General Counsel for the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Before joining the Association, Eric was chief of staff and general counsel of the City of Sumter, South Carolina, for eight years. Prior to working at the City of Sumter, Eric was a municipal bond lawyer at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. for 12 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and his master’s in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

                            
                        
                    
                

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First Amendment Webinar – Free Live For IMLA Members
August 21 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
This Webinar Is Banned!
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
This webinar will explore the legal landscape surrounding two hot-button issues in the ongoing culture wars: book selections in public schools and libraries, and the regulation of drag performances. The presentation will look at trends in state laws and local government actions, providing a comprehensive overview of the legal challenges and considerations faced by government lawyers. While the Supreme Court’s guidance on book banning dates back to 1982, the session will examine more recent lower court decisions with potential to influence current legal interpretations. Additionally, the webinar will analyze the wave of restrictions on drag performances and discuss recent and ongoing lawsuits challenging these regulations.
Speaker: Roger Horner

                    

                        
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Roger Horner joined the Government Practice team of Thomson Reuters Practical Law after more than three decades in local government. Previously, he was the City Attorney for Brentwood, Tennessee, where he advised the City Manager, City Commission, and all City boards and departments. Prior to that, he served as Brentwood’s Finance Director and was a financial analyst for the Tennessee Public Service Commission. Roger is a past president of the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association (TMAA) and received TMAA’s Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award in 2018. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) and a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. Roger has published legal resources and given presentations on a variety of municipal law topics, including land use and zoning, First Amendment issues, climate change mitigation, and ethics for city attorneys.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Construction Law Webinar
September 2 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Anatomy of the Life of a Typical Construction Dispute: Advice for Municipal Counsel to Navigate Each Step of the Process
In this seminar, experienced construction counsel and a construction claim expert will provide an overview of the typical life of a construction claim, with an eye towards helping municipal counsel navigate each step of the process. Presenters will provide practical advice enlivened punctuated by real-life examples. The seminar will address topics such as: 1) Ounce of Prevention: What counsel can do in advance to prevent or control construction disputes: Contract document preparation and careful documentation of issues which arise that may evolve into a dispute. The creator of the narrative often ends up as the victor. 2) What to do upon receipt of a claim, including assembly and review of documents, litigation hold notices, witness interviews, retention of experts. 3) early independent assessment of claims. 4) claim evaluation. 5) claim adjudication: litigation, arbitration, other. 6) dispute resolution tips
Speaker: Christopher Petrini & Roy Cooper

                    

                        
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Christopher J. Petrini is founding principal of Petrini & Associates, P.C.. P&A has represented over 70 cities, towns, school districts and public agencies since 2004. Mr. Petrini served as Town Counsel and then City Solicitor for the City of Framingham from 2001-2022. Mr. Petrini and P&A currently serves as full Town Counsel to several Massachusetts municipalities and presently serves or has served as special counsel representing dozens of local government entities in public construction litigation matters. Mr. Petrini has served as lead counsel in two major Massachusetts sewer infrastructure litigation cases that have resulted in over $50M in additional revenue or judgments for firm clients.
Mr. Petrini is a cum laude graduate of Georgetown University (A.B.) and a high honors graduate of Duke University School of Law (J.D.).  After Law School, Mr. Petrini served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Theodore McMillian of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Mr. Petrini has served as a Regional Vice President of IMLA representing the First Circuit since 2013 and is a Past President of the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association. Mr. Petrini frequently speaks on construction topics at IMLA and other organizations. In 2023 Mr. Petrini was selected as “Lawyer of the Year”  by Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly. In 2023 and 2025, Mr. Petrini was recognized as a “Go To Construction Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly. Mr. Petrini also was selected as a top national construction lawyer by The American Lawyer.  Mr. Petrini has been selected as a New England Super Lawyer 13 times (including the last 11 consecutive years) and as a Top 100 Lawyers in New England on three occasions. Mr. Petrini’s cases or comments have been featured in over 40 front page and other articles of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly since 2003.
In his spare time, Mr. Petrini pursues mountaineering, climbing and travel adventures, having climbed, summitted, trekked or visited Europe, Nepal, Tanzania, and Antarctica in recent years, along with many other U.S. and Canadian destinations.
 
Roy Cooper, as a Senior Vice President and leader of ARCADIS’ Technical Advisory group in North America, I oversee a diverse range of services aimed at guiding clients through complex construction challenges and maximizing project success. My responsibilities encompass the management of Contract Solutions, which focuses on assisting clients in avoiding, mitigating, and resolving construction disputes, as well as supervising technical due diligence, property assessments, sustainability advisory, energy auditing, net zero advisory, value engineering, and asset analytics. With a team of nearly 80 professionals under my guidance, I am dedicated to ensuring the financial success and operational excellence of our practice.
Licensing and Experience – As a licensed engineer in multiple states, including Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Texas, and Louisiana, I bring over 30 years of comprehensive construction experience to my role. My expertise spans the analysis and review of complex construction claims, offering support from initial stages through trial proceedings and expert testimony. I have taken the lead on extensive claims evaluation assignments across various project types, specializing in schedule impacts, cost impact analysis, mediation, and claims negotiation. My qualifications as an expert extend to both horizontal and vertical projects, reflecting a broad and in-depth understanding of the construction industry.
Educational Background and Expertise – With a solid foundation in construction principles and management, complemented by practical field and management experience, I possess a unique ability to swiftly identify and resolve intricate construction issues. My proactive approach and real-time problem-solving skills have positioned me as a go-to resource for addressing disputes during construction. As an accomplished public speaker, I am frequently invited to share my insights at seminars focused on construction claims and more effective project management. Prior to my consulting career, I contributed to the industry as a heavy/highway superintendent/engineer, further enriching my understanding of construction dynamics.

                            
                        
                    
                

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Airport Law Webinar
June 12 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Navigating Changes to Nondiscrimination and Immigration Enforcement Requirements In Revised FAA Grant Agreement Template and Airport Sponsor Grant Assurances
FAA’s recent revisions to the Airport Sponsor Grant Assurances and grant agreement template form have raised questions from recipients of FAA grant funding regarding the legal implications of entering into new FAA grant agreements and potential retroactivity of the new requirements.  Some of the recent changes appear to be designed to implement provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, and can be understood by reference to the Act.  However, several changes to the requirements regarding immigration laws and nondiscrimination laws are confusingly worded and may conflict with local, state, and federal laws and policies, in particular municipal and state DEI and sanctuary laws and policies.
This program, Presented by Slone Isselhard and Kirsten Crawford of Kaplan Kirsch LLP, will provide an overview of the changes to immigration and DEI laws and policies in the new FAA grant agreement template and Grant Assurances and the legal implications of such changes, particularly in light of the April 24, 2025 letter to DOT grant recipients issued by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.  The discussion will include how “illegal DEI” and “cooperation” with ICE may be interpreted, the current state of the law on DEI and sanctuary laws and policies, and how grant recipients have challenged these and similar grant conditions during the Trump administration’s current and preceding term for violation of the U.S. Constitution and Administrative Procedures Act.
Speaker: Kirsten Crawford & Slone Isselhard

                    

                        
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Slone Isselhard advises federal grant recipients throughout the United States on complex federal regulatory and policy issues, including those raised by recently published revisions to federal grant assurances, grant agreements, and DOT policies.  Slone offers clients an understanding of the unique issues that are raised for public owners of airports and other infrastructure, having served as an in-house attorney for the Chicago Department of Aviation prior to joining Kaplan Kirsch, LLP, where she advised the City on airport-specific federal regulatory matters for O’Hare and Midway International Airports. In addition to her focus on federal regulatory guidance, Slone specializes in helping clients to plan, develop, procure, contract, and manage major public infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on airport-related construction and real estate development. For more information on Slone, visit https://www.kaplankirsch.com/people/slone-isselhard/ or connect with Slone at https://www.linkedin.com/in/slone-isselhard-022b2164/.
 
Kirsten Crawford successfully guides clients through the discussion and drafting of significant policy shifts and complex regulatory framework developments. Her prior roles include Town Attorney for Breckenridge, Legislative Counsel for Denver City Council, and Staff Attorney for Denver International Airport. While serving as Breckenridge Town Attorney, Kirsten navigated complex federal grant funding conditions for affordable housing developments, among her other responsibilities.  As Legislative Counsel for Denver City Council, Kirsten provided legal advice on high-level policy matters for the City, including the initial adoption and defense of Denver’s immigration policies (now being challenged by the Trump administration as illegal “sanctuary city” policies) and establishment of Denver’s Immigration Legal Defense Fund. For more information on Kirsten, visit https://www.kaplankirsch.com/people/kirsten-j-crawford/ or connect with Kirsten at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-crawford-380533234/.

                            
                        
                    
                
Ethics Webinar
June 5 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Ethics of Good Governance: Europe’s 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance as Applied in the U.S.
American cities can adopt a fresh perspective on evaluating their overall performance by considering Europe’s 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance. As municipal attorneys, understanding these principles can enhance ethical standards and further democracy at the local level. This webinar will explore how these principles align with the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and their application in governance. Key topics include:

Responsiveness: ABA Model Rule 1.4
Efficiency & Effectiveness: ABA Model Rule 1.15
Openness & Transparency: ABA Model Rule 1.6
Rule of Law: ABA Model Rules – Preamble
Ethical Conduct: ABA Model Rule 1.7
Competence & Capacity: ABA Model Rule 1.1
Innovation & Openness to Change: ABA Ethics Ops. 477R & 495

Speaker: Alan Bojorquez

                    

                        
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Alan Bojorquez is the Managing Partner of a statewide law firm based in Austin, Texas. He serves as City Attorney or Special Counsel for multiple municipalities and has extensive experience in municipal law and governance ethics. Alan holds a BA, MPA, and JD from Texas Tech University and has served on the Board of Directors for the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA). A past president of the Texas City Attorneys Association, he is also the author of the Texas Municipal Law & Procedure Manual (7th Ed.). His expertise in local government law and ethical governance makes him a sought-after speaker and advisor in the field.

                            
                        
                    
                
False Claims Webinar
June 3 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Navigating the False Claims Act:  Compliance and Litigation
On January 21, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (the EO).  In that EO, the head of every agency was directed to include a term requiring any party to a contract or grant with the federal government certify that it does not “operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws” and the grantee must agree that its “compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decision” for the purposes of the False Claims Act.  This webinar will explore legal issues surrounding the False Claims Act.
Key topics include:

Overview of the Executive Order (EO) and its implications
The False Claims Act (FCA) and its role in enforcement actions
Authority interpreting materiality requirements in similar contexts
The Baltimore case and its latest developments
Legal challenges to implementation and potential defenses
Historical support for similar programs in federal legislation, regulations, and court decisions

Speaker: Scott Crouch

                    

                        
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Scott Crouch has practiced law in Chicago since graduating from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2010. Scott began his career in public service when he joined the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in January 2012. Scott has worked for the City of Chicago since 2017, and since 2023 he has worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel Supervisor with the City of Chicago’s Department of Law’s Revenue Litigation Division. Scott has represented hundreds of state and local government employees from a wide variety of professional and educational backgrounds, including front line emergency personnel, environmental scientists, snowplow drivers as well as directors and executives from state and municipal agencies. He has represented governmental clients in state and federal court in first amendment, excessive force, prison conditions, employment discrimination and retaliation, election, wage and hour law and a variety of other constitutional, civil rights, contract and personal injury matters. Scott also has extensive administrative law experience, investigating and prosecuting disciplinary matters before state and municipal hearing boards.
Scott has served on the steering committee of the Law Department’s Committee on Inclusion and Diversity (CID) since May 2023, chairing the Pipeline Subcommittee. In February 2024, Scott was elected CID secretary. Scott loves mentoring and helping law students and newer members of our profession and was honored as Alumnus of the Year in 2024 by Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Student Bar Association in recognition of his mentorship efforts.
Scott lives in Chicago with his spouse and two cats. He enjoys playing music, board games, bike rides and camping. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a child and has never lost his love of helping people and the outdoors.

                            
                        
                    
                
Animal Services Ordinance Webinar
May 27 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Modernizing Animal Care: Updating Ordinances to Empower Communities and Save Lives
As animal care and control agencies evolve into Pet Resource Centers, the role of ordinances in shaping community success has never been more critical. Outdated laws—some still referencing “dog catchers”—fail to address the modern approach to animal welfare. Data-driven decision-making now plays a key role in improving service delivery and enabling objective ordinance analysis.
Are there provisions in your local laws that are ineffective or unenforced? Join this webinar to learn how updating policies can empower staff, engage the community, save animal lives, and reduce financial strain on municipalities.
Speaker: Elise “Ledy” VanKavage & Scott Trebatoski

                    

                        
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Ledy VanKavage is a nationally recognized animal law expert with extensive experience in legislative advocacy. As the Senior Legislative Attorney for Best Friends Animal Society, she has played a pivotal role in spearheading humane state laws across the country. A former Senior Director of Legislation and Legal Training for the ASPCA, Ledy has influenced key policies, including breed-neutral dangerous dog laws and community cat programs. She has been featured on MSNBC, NPR, and in major publications such as Time Magazine and The New York Times. Ledy continues to lead efforts in modernizing animal welfare laws in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation.
 
Scott Trebatoski has over 25 years of experience in government animal sheltering and control, bringing a data-driven, business-minded approach to public animal welfare. His expertise in municipal management and policy reform has led to numerous advancements in cost-effective animal control. As an advocate for progressive sheltering strategies, Scott has successfully drafted ordinances and state statutes to modernize animal welfare practices. A highly sought-after speaker and consultant, he continues to drive policy improvements that benefit both animals and communities.

                            
                        
                    
                
Grant Compliance Webinar – Free Live For IMLA Members
May 20 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
From Confusion to Compliance: Grant Guidance in a Modern World 
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
The world of Grants can be a very rewarding yet complex place.  From NOFO’S, terms and conditions, special terms and conditions, federal regulations, grant-specific guidelines and local laws and ordinances, grant guidance needs to be done with a keen eye towards compliance, and a watchful eye on federal, state, and local structural changes.  Grant guidance and compliance is not a one-size-fits-all practice.  Through this MCLE, you will learn the dos and don’ts of grant compliance and actual pitfalls that may subject your clients to potentially having to pay back three times the grant amount under the false claims act.
Speaker: Barak Vaughn

                    

                        
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Barak Vaughn has been a practicing lawyer for over 24 years.  He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree from George Washington University and his law degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law.  Barak has spent the last 8 years as a Deputy City Attorney for the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney acting as the general counsel for various the Mayor’s Office, City Council, LAPD, LAFD, the Emergency Management Department, and all other City departments with respect to federal, state, local and private grants.  In addition, Barak acts as general counsel for the City’s Civil and Human Rights Department,  Community Investment for Families Department, Human Relations Commision, Los Angeles Health Commission, Domestic Violence Alliance, and Commision on Children and Family Services.  Barak has two exceptionally smart daughters, four rescue dogs and believes “if you don’t stand up, you don’t stand out.”

                            
                        
                    
                
LGLC Impacts of Federal Immigration Policy on Local Governments – This is not an IMLA Webinar
May 19 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Impacts of Federal Immigration Policy on Local Governments (Part 2)


This is NOT an IMLA webinar and CLE will not be offered.
Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join us for a second informational (not for CLE) webinar regarding the executive orders issued this year and federal policies in the area of immigration and how they may impact local governments and local government officials. Presenters will provide a high-level overview of the laws at issue and their impact on local government operations and duties.
The LGLC is a coalition of national local government organizations formed in 2023 by the National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC) and International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) to provide education to local governments regarding the Supreme Court and its impact on local governments and local officials and to advocate for local government positions at the Supreme Court in appropriate cases. Visit the Local Government Legal Center to learn more.
Procurement & Contracting Webinar
March 20 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Advanced Contracting for Municipal Attorneys 
This program will focus on the complexities of advanced public contract with value or qualification based procurement processes and alternative project delivery models becoming more common to sustainable govern programs, construction and climate response.   Learn how to move from traditional, price based selection to advanced, performance based contracting that lends itself to both sustainable facilities and practices. Learn the traps for the unwary in P3 contracting and know how to protect your municipality while ensuring a deal that’s financeable.
Speaker: Steven “Tip” Torres

                    

                        
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Steven “Tip” Torres has over 20 years of experience in  municipal law, including construction and public-private partnerships and has been a project advisor and chief legal counsel who has managed in excess of $1.5 billion in project value in the areas of utilities, water and wastewater, transportation, building construction and renewable energy.  Attorney Torres has significant knowledge and experience in state, federal and local regulations including  zoning, land use planning, and building and environmental permitting. His range of experience in state and federal regulatory permitting, enforcement, compliance and litigation includes work under the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, National and State Environmental Policy Acts, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act among others.
Attorney Torres is nationally recognized in his practice area and is a frequent lecturer, guest speaker and teacher/mentor to other practitioners. He is also an author, editor and lecturer for various national, international and regional government or industry trade groups, and co-edited the Second Edition of MCLE’s “Massachusetts Municipal Law”. Attorney Torres has had several essays published in the areas of labor law, international law, municipal law and constitutional law. He is a sought after speaker on municipal law, renewable energy, emerging technology and alternative delivery construction project development.  Attorney Torres has been a national panelist for the Design-Build Institute of America, the National League of Cities, the American Water Works Association, the International Municipal Lawyers Association, the Solid Waste Association of North America, the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York municipals and bar associations and other national and regional organizations.
Prior to joining West Group Law PLLC, Attorney Torres served for thirteen years as a city attorney for four consecutive mayoral administrations in two cities. He was Corporation Counsel for the City of Fall River, Massachusetts and City Solicitor for the City of Taunton, Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1987-1990 as a nuclear operations officer.

                            
                        
                    
                
Religion Webinar
March 11 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Practical Implications of the Supreme Court’s Recent Free Exercise and Establishment Decisions
This webinar will address the practical implications of recent Supreme Court decisions about the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses. Led by a practicing First Amendment lawyer and a First Amendment specialist at UVA Law School, it will cover religious exemptions from civil rights law, prayer in public schools, school funding decisions, and ways in which rhetoric about religious freedom can affect case outcomes. Both of the speakers have substantial expertise working with (and representing) local governments, and will aim to provide useful guidance to lawyers seeking to navigate the Supreme Court’s rapid transformation of the First Amendment
Speaker: Joshua Matz & Rich Schragger

                    

                        
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Joshua Matz is a partner at Hecker Fink LLP, resident in the DC office. Joshua works closely with clients as a strategic counselor, trial and appellate litigator, and advisor in responding to congressional and state attorney general investigations. He has successfully litigated cases at every level of the federal judiciary, and specializes in working with clients facing high stakes issues that call for comprehensive, trustworthy legal support. In those matters, Joshua draws on his experience as a law clerk to Justice Anthony Kennedy, his service on the House Judiciary Committee, and his expertise on constitutional law (he has co-authored two books with Harvard Law Professor Larry Tribe). Joshua’s clients have included cities, states, individuals, non-profits, funders, businesses, universities, judges, and congressional committees. In recent years, Joshua’s lawyering has been recognized by Chambers, Benchmark Litigation, Business Insider, Bloomberg Law, The National Law Journal, and The American Lawyer.
 
Rich Schragger joined the Virginia faculty in 2001 and was named the Walter L. Brown Professor in 2022. He was previously the Perre Bowen Professor, a chair he held starting in 2013. Schragger’s scholarship focuses on the intersection of constitutional law and local government law, federalism, urban policy, and the constitutional and economic status of cities. He also writes about law and religion. He has authored articles on the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses, the role of cities in a federal system, local recognition of same-sex marriage, takings law and economic development, and the history of the anti-chain store movement. Schragger has published in the Harvard, Yale, Chicago, Virginia and Michigan law reviews, among others. He teaches property, local government law, urban law and policy, and church and state.
Schragger received an M.A. in legal theory from University College London and received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. He was a supervising editor of the Harvard Law Review. After clerking for Dolores Sloviter, then-chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Schragger joined the Washington, D.C., firm Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin, where he practiced for two years.
Schragger has been a visiting professor at the University of Münster, Tel Aviv University, the University of Chicago School of Law, the New York University School of Law, the Georgetown University Law Center and the Quinnipiac School of Law, and has been the Samuel Rubin Visiting Professor at Columbia Law School. He is a faculty fellow at the Miller Center, a faculty adviser to the Local Solutions Support Center, and a member of the American Law Institute. He is the author of City Power: Urban Governance in a Global Age (Oxford University Press, 2016).

                            
                        
                    
                
Constitutional Law/Home Rule Webinar
March 6 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Constitutional Framework of the United States and the Role of Local Government Attorneys
This course will provide an overview of the governing structure in the United States (think Civics 101) and discuss how the dynamics of federalism and home rule authority impact the role of the local government attorney in the US.
Speaker: Katie Hodgdon

                    

                        
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Katie Hodgdon serves as counsel to the Association of Towns of the State of New York. As counsel, Ms. Hodgdon provides legal assistance and training to town officials on a variety of municipal issues and administrates the Association’s Continuing Legal Education program.

                            
                        
                    
                
Environmental Webinar – Free Live For IMLA Members
March 4 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Products Liability Law and Emerging Water Contaminants: Legal Strategies to Recover Regulatory Compliance Costs
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
This webinar will first provide a brief update on state and federal standards for contaminants in drinking water, wastewater, and biosolids, as well as the challenges and costs that recent and anticipated regulatory developments present for municipalities. Contaminants addressed may include PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, 1,2,3-TCP, perchlorate, and others pending legislation at the time of the webinar. Then, we will discuss how municipalities affected by contamination have used products liability principles to pursue legal action against the manufacturers responsible for pollution, referencing several case studies from successful litigation. Ken Sansone will explain the full legal process used in these cases, from initial detection of contaminants to the receipt of compensation. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of how local governments can reduce the financial impact of compliance with new water quality regulations by shifting the costs to manufacturers.
Speaker: Ken Sansone

                    

                        
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Ken Sansone is Senior Partner at SL Environmental Law Group, P.C., where he exclusively represents utilities, states, municipalities, and private entities in contamination lawsuits, including claims over PFAS, perchlorate, and 1,2,3 trichloropropane, or “TCP.” He has obtained more than $125 million in recoveries for water systems to treat TCP, a toxic contaminant from defective pesticides sold by Shell Oil and Dow Chemical, and currently represents about 250 water systems across the country over PFAS contamination cases. Ken served as lead trial and appellate counsel to the City of Pomona, and, in September 2021, obtained a $30.208M jury verdict for the City for the costs of cleaning up perchlorate contamination from the use of tainted fertilizer products made by SQM, a multinational mining company.
Prior to joining SL, Ken served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Hampshire. He has more than 20 years of experience handling complex civil and criminal cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts. Ken received his law degree from New York University and his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Duke University.

                            
                        
                    
                
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