Expectations for Attorney-Client Relationships: Establishing Clear, Strong & Effective Commitments When representing local governments, the Client is the entity (as an organization).  Elected officers, appointed officials, and staff members may be representatives of the Client. While the Attorney may work closely with those individuals, they typically are not the Clients.  Nonetheless, for purposes of this document, representatives of the local government are referred to as “Clients.”  Although each arrangement will vary, there are certain essential elements of successful Attorney-Client relationships that tend to...

Federal Immigration Policy Developments: Legal Implications for Local Governments This webinar will provide an overview of recent federal immigration policy changes and their potential legal and operational impacts on local governments. Topics will include shifts in federal enforcement priorities, emerging legal challenges affecting municipal policy, and the City of Denver's approach to policy in the shifting federal legal landscape. Attendees will gain insight into how evolving federal directives may influence local ordinances, law enforcement practices, and public service delivery. Speaker:...

Staying Safe and Sound for the Holidays – Strategies for the Legal Professional Holidays are often associated with joy and excitement, but they can be stressful, overwhelming, and challenging as well. For some, holidays bring up feelings of grief, isolation, disappointment, and sadness. The holiday season can quickly bring increased stress and anxiety to members of the legal profession whose lives are already filled to the brim with those emotions. With the alarming prevalence of substance use and mental health...

The Sea-Change in Labor and Employment Law In just the first year of President Trump’s second term, he has totally refashioned the labor and employment law landscape not only from that of his predecessor, but also from that of prior Republican administrations. This session will highlight the changes that have occurred as well as those that are on the horizon. Topics to be discussed include: Who are the new heads of the EEOC and the Department of Labor, and what...

Robocall Me Maybe? The Remix: How to Comply with Federal Law when your City Makes Automated Calls and Texts As cities seek to streamline processes and efficiently utilize funds in continually decreasing budgets, automated phone calls and text messages (“robocalls” and “robotexts”) may appear to be a cost‐effective option to communicate with citizens. This presentation discusses the applicable federal laws and regulations that govern automated calls, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Broadnet...

New Federal Rule for Digital Accessibility CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply. Learn more about the fast-approaching, digital compliance requirement for all government entities and special districts. How will this impact your cities websites, online documents, and mobile applications? Unwrap the minimum accessibility standard, what it means to cities, common pitfalls, and helpful resources for accomplishing compliance. Speaker: Zack Looney, Megan Griffith & Kara Coustry

Inmate Litigation – Techniques for Using the Prison Litigation Reform Act In this presentation, we will cover the background of the PLRA, and explore multiple ways that the PLRA can be used to successfully defend inmate litigation.  We will look at procedural hurdles, limitations on recovery, and the critical importance of having a well-crafted inmate grievance process. Speaker: Elmer Dickens

Navigating NEPA and ESA Compliance in a Changing Landscape This panel of environmental law experts will unpack recent and proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With a new focus on streamlining and flexibility, Federal reforms are reshaping timelines, processes, and standards. Municipal agencies face new challenges and opportunities in land use planning, infrastructure development, water supply planning, and conservation. Speaker: Gary M. Gold & Joseph Manalili

Election Law 2026: Legal Challenges and Readiness for the Midterms The 2026 mid-term elections are fast approaching amidst a continually changing environment of Presidential Executive Orders, litigation affecting voting rights and procedures, and concerns regarding the security of the nation’s elections infrastructure. While elections are generally the purview of states and localities, we will discuss the status of legal issues that may affect how elections are conducted around the country, as well as strategies for being prepared for challenges to...

Products Liability Law, PFAS, & Other Contaminants: Legal Strategies to Help Close Funding Gaps CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply. This webinar will provide an overview of how legal action against polluting chemical manufacturers is providing significant funding for municipalities nationwide. Ken Sansone will first provide a brief update on state and federal standards for contaminants in drinking water, wastewater, and biosolids, including the impact of recent changes to federal...