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...

Strategies for Addressing Homelessness 2025 This CLE presentation explores how the City of Houston has used a combination of local ordinances, strategic partnerships, and federal frameworks to address homelessness. Since 2012, Houston has housed over 30,000 individuals, aided by targeted city ordinances regulating encampments, expanding access to emergency shelter, and facilitating supportive housing initiatives. The presentation also examines how the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act has shaped local responses, particularly in ensuring access to education and housing stability for homeless youth...

Go-to Tips for Cross-Examination: Specific Tools You Can Use Today in Any Municipal Litigation This presentation will offer concrete techniques for crafting and conducting cross-examination of witnesses in any type of municipal litigation. Geared toward arming attorneys new to trial and evidentiary hearings with immediately usable tools, this session will focus on the mechanics of preparing cross-examination outlines and provide specific hip-pocket tips for maintaining witness control. Speaker: Ellie Neiberger

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...

Legal Writing 101 Get valuable tips on writing — everything from an email to an appellate brief.  Much of daily communication is the written word, and this seminar will teach you everything you need to know to make your communication clear and powerful. Speaker: Blithe Bock

Regulation of Short Term Rentals: Issues and Considerations Many communities are struggling with issues relating to short-term rentals, especially after the proliferation of vacation rental aggregation websites over the past couple decades. Examples of some of the issues that arise are pressures on workforce housing, regulatory takings, and public nuisances, such as trash and noise. Although the impacts of STRs are often heightened in regions that are desirable for vacation or recreational opportunities, the impacts of STRs can be felt...

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...

Shielding the City: Key Considerations Before Filing an Answer CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply. Join IMLA for a timely webinar featuring legal leaders from Annapolis and Little Rock. This essential session walks through the strategic groundwork municipal attorneys should lay before answering a lawsuit—from identifying procedural defenses to assessing insurance coverage and coordinating with city leadership. Whether you're new to public sector litigation or a seasoned municipal law expert,...

Administrative Warrants: Getting the Code Officer’s Foot in the Door This webinar will discuss administrative warrants as a necessity for code enforcement inspections.  We will discuss the differences between an administrative warrant as opposed to criminal warrants.  Followed by a review of the case law requiring code enforcement officers to obtain one, the process, and scenarios. Speaker: Savita Rai & Samuel Adams

Local Governments and Gun Violence Prevention 2025: Pathways for Municipal Regulation and Litigation  CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply. This CLE presentation will explore the evolving landscape of gun violence prevention, focusing on the challenges and opportunities local governments face in enacting firearms ordinances and holding firearms industry members accountable when they jeopardize public safety. The session will focus largely on the Second Amendment and affirmative litigation strategies. It will...