IMLA

Ethics Webinar
2023-12-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
My Client, My Enemy? Ethical Challenges When Representing Cities
This presentation will discuss ABA Rules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.7 when discussing the challenges faced with representing cities. Rule 1.3 addresses organizations as clients, and Comment 1 touches upon entities acting through their officers, directors, etc. Complexities arise when Rule 1.1 calls for competent representation and the need to abide by client decisions under Rule 1.2, but individual city officers find themselves in positions contrary to the city they serve. Rule 1.7 provides guidance on Conflicts of Interest. Rule 1.3 requires lawyers dealing with a city’s officers to explain the nature of the relationship and address when interests diverge. This presentation will provide a variety of scenarios and pose hypothetical questions illustrating these points.
Speaker: Alan Bojorquez

General Webinar
2023-12-14 13:00 - 14:00
Local Government Attorney Essentials
Local Government attorneys need to handle a wide variety of legal responsibilities, some unique to local government. The number of issues and topics requiring legal proficiency can be overwhelming. This presentation will help city and county attorneys develop a plan for navigating their initiation into local government law. While this webinar is designed for attorneys who are new to local government, experienced local government attorneys can also benefit from a review of the basics of municipal law.
Speaker: Roger Horner

First Amendment & Public Comment Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2023-12-15 13:00 - 14:00
Public Comment – The Good, The Bad, and The Legal
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
As Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) from the show Parks and Rec humorously stated: “What I hear when I’m being yelled at [during a public meeting] is people caring loudly at me.” This presentation will explore the benefits of public comment, some of the issues commonly associated with public comment, and what you can do to address those issues.
Speaker: Randall Van Vleck & Todd Sheeran

Police Webinar
2023-12-19 13:00 - 14:00
Managing Risk by Embedding Mental Health Co-responders in Police Departments
As communities across the country continue to examine ways to improve outcomes and reduce the costs of interactions between police officers and individuals experiencing mental illness, many have adopted a risk management approach. This presentation will examine the potential benefits of embedding mental health co-responders within police departments. The potential benefits include increasing the safety of those involved in such encounters; helping ensure that people experiencing mental illness are directed to the most appropriate resources; decreasing the number of police encounters with such individuals; reducing the costs associated with these encounters (including litigation costs); and improving the speed with which problems associated with these encounters are solved.
Speaker: Doug Hoffer

Mental Health and Wellness Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2023-12-21 13:00 - 14:00
Sleep, Neuroscience, and Ethics
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
Sleep impairment impacts all aspects of client representation, including competence, focus, diligence, decision-making, effective client communication, and case management. Sleep deprivation predicts lawyer misconduct by increasing anxiety, interrupting working memory, and impairing effective executive thinking. This program provides the latest neuroscience behind sleep, and its impact on mental health, substance use, ethical behavior, and performance.
Speaker: Joan Bibelhausen, JD & Robin Wolpert, Esq,

Personnel Webinar
2023-12-26 13:00 - 14:00
What to Expect When They are Expecting: The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)
This webinar will cover topics including rollout of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”). The PWFA was effective June 27, 2023; the EEOC’s 275 pages of Proposed Regulations were published about 5 weeks later, on August 11, 2023. The PWFA requires the EEOC to issue final regulations by December 29, 2023. Be ready for this happy event!
Speaker: Robin Cross

Employment Law Webinar
2024-01-09 13:00 - 14:00
Are You Ready for This Year’s Employment Law Challenges?
New employment laws and recent decisions include everything from the new Pregnancy Fairness Act, the Supreme Court’s recent expansion of the rights of religious employees to reasonable accommodation and using AI in the workplace. If ensuring compliance with those was not enough, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor are now expected to implement a slew of worker-friendly priorities. This webinar will address the significant labor and employment law developments that are, and will be, affecting your operations and the landscape of employment law.
Speaker: Jonathan Mook & Robin Cross

Land Use Webinar
2024-01-11 13:00 - 14:00
Land Use 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

Ethics & Technology Webinar
2024-01-16 13:00 - 14:00
Artificial Intelligence, Attorney Ethics, and City Policies
An introduction to what Artificial Intelligence is and how its use intersects with the ethics of the legal profession. Discussion includes ABA model rules:

1.1“Competence” (Comment 8 addresses use of technology).
1.4 “Communication.”
1.6 “Confidentiality of Information.”
3.1 “Meritorious Claims and Contentions.”
3.2 “Expediting Litigation.”
3.5 “Impartiality & Decorum of the Tribunal.”
4.1 “Truthfulness in Statements to Others.”

The topic also covers what elements to include in a city policy on the use of AI and a review of some sample city policies.
Speaker: Cathy Cunningham & Teneé Frazier

Mental Health & Wellness Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2024-01-23 13:00 - 14:00
Creating A Workplace Culture of Wellness and Inclusion
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
This webinar will cover strategies and insights for attorneys to create a culture of wellbeing in the workplace that is inclusive and psychologically safe for everyone. This includes acknowledging that different people have different needs and can be accomplished by encouraging collaboration, safe and transparent communication, setting clear expectations and being flexible about accommodations. The benefits are increased wellbeing, higher productivity and less stress in the workplace.
Learn more about how to facilitate this in your workplace including:

The benefits to diversity, equity and inclusion.
How to align clear expectations to eliminate uncertainty.
Using feedback to create change.
Accommodate those with seen and unseen disabilities.

Speaker: Diane O’Connell

Local Government Council Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2024-01-25 13:00 - 14:00
Councilmembers Gone Wild! Tips on Dealing with Challenging Councilmembers
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
This session will consider practical tips and strategies for the City Attorney in working with problematic City Council members.
Speaker: Patrick W. Baker & Kimberly Rehberg

Environmental Webinar
2024-01-30 13:00 - 14:30
Remedying Environmental Damage: Tools for Municipal Attorneys
Municipal attorneys are experts in recovering monies owed to the government by enforcing liens, collecting taxes, fees and fines. Environmental lawyers for municipalities are often consumed with regulatory actions, transactions related to solid waste disposal, and defense work. Often uncollected are the large claims municipalities may have for damage to municipal water systems (drinking water, wastewater, stormwater) and other municipal properties and facilities relating to environmental contamination or other adverse impacts. This webinar surveys the universe of claims municipalities can and do pursue against large corporations for environmental harms. It is aimed to stimulate thinking on how to identify and pursue accountability for harms to public resources and the public health, as well as to create new revenue streams based on harms negatively impacting the community and to hone the enforcement tools in the municipal lawyer‘s tool box.
Speaker: Kyle J. McGee, Viola Vetter, Suzanne Sangree, Jason H. Wilson & Juliana Carter

Wellness Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2024-03-05 13:00 - 14:00
How Not to Die & How Not to Diet: Practical Tips for Attorney Wellbeing
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
Tailored for attorneys, this webinar will delve into essential topics encompassing health and lifestyle choices. Specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by professionals with sedentary lifestyles, such as attorneys, this session sheds light on preventable and reversible health issues. Chronic disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the US. Heart disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and the accompanying physical impairment can prevent attorneys from competently representing clients & diligently performing services.
Speaker: Gary Laturno

Construction & Public Contracts Webinar
2024-03-07 13:00 - 14:00
Current Trends on Public Works Projects, including a focus on Lost Productivity and Total Cost Claims
Lost productivity claims are common on public works construction projects. Contractors bid fix priced contracts assuming a set level of productivity with narrow profit margins. However, projects rarely proceed according to plan, but instead, unwanted events occur that can cause out-of-sequence work, delays, accelerations, trade stacking, overtime shifts, diluted supervision, and supply problems resulting in total cost claims. This presentation discusses the owner’s best practices defending against such claims.
Speaker: Mark Guevara & Jennica Dycus

Mental Health Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2024-03-14 13:00 - 14:00
Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Strategies to Sustain and Protect Legal Professionals’ Well-being
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
This course overviews obstacles to lawyer wellness and examines evidence-based strategies for building or maintaining mental health while engaging in the very demanding practice of law.
Speaker: Michelle Fontenot

Police Liability Webinar
2024-03-19 13:00 - 14:00
Hot Topics in Law Enforcement Liability under Sec.1983: What Every Municipal Lawyer Should Know
Whether you are a defense lawyer or legal advisor, this webinar will help you to stay current on recent developments in police liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. After a brief refresher on claims and defenses, the program will turn to recent developments: consensus policies on use of force; chokeholds and neck restraints after George Floyd; de-escalation and use of force against emotionally disturbed subjects; the latest on shooting at vehicles and vehicular pursuits; best practices on the use of force during protests and demonstrations; restrictions on no-knock warrants after Breonna Taylor; and the duty to intervene to prevent the misconduct of others. The program will end with a discussion about reducing money damages in high profile cases with inflammatory facts. All this, plus links to resources you can use in your practice.
Speaker: Wayne Beyer

First Amendment Auditors Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2024-03-26 13:00 - 14:00
Keeping Calm and Carrying On – What to Do When First Amendment Auditors Arrive in Town
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
Local government offices and agencies across the country are experiencing an ever-growing increase of First Amendment audits, a phenomenon involving disruptive visitors entering public spaces armed with video cameras and an intent to provoke reactions from public employees. This presentation discusses what First Amendment audits are, the legal framework governing filming in public spaces, and how local government agencies should prepare for and respond to First Amendment audits.
Speaker: Deborah J. Fox & Kristof D. Szoke

Consumer Protection Webinar
2024-03-28 13:00 - 14:00
Taking Action Against Medical Debt
Medical debt impacts over 100 million Americans. It affects people’s ability to access affordable credit, find quality housing, or even obtain a job. This session will examine how the CFPB has combated the burden of medical debt and how local consumer protection agencies can join the fight.
Speaker: James “Jim” Savage & John McNamara

Telecom Webinar
2024-04-01 13:00 - 14:00
Robocalls Update: Automated Calls by Cities and New FCC Rules
In December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued the Broadnet Order on Reconsideration holding that cities and their contractors who initiate automated phone calls and text messages (“robocalls”) are subject to the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 as well as associated FCC rules and orders. In July 2023, the FCC updated its rules to require cities to comply with certain standards, which previously only applied to telemarketers, when making robocalls to residential lines for a non-commercial purpose. This webinar discusses the applicable federal laws governing robocalls, practical considerations and best practices for cities when making robocalls to citizens, and the impact of the new FCC rules to cities.
Speaker: David Johnson

LGLC Navigating Social Media as a Local Leader Webinar - This is not an IMLA Webinar
2024-04-22 14:00 - 15:00
Navigating Social Media as a Local Leader in the Wake of Recent SCOTUS Decision
This is NOT an IMLA webinar and CLE will not be offered by IMLA.
osted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), legal experts will lead a discussion of the Lindke v. Freed decision in which the Supreme Court set forth the test for when local government officials are considered “state actors” for the purposes of the First Amendment when they post on social media.
Come learn how your municipality can implement and enforce local policies that reflect this court decision.
The LGLC is a coalition of national and local government organizations formed in 2023 by the National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) 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.
Speakers: Julie A. Tappendorf & Amanda Karras

Legal Departments in Transformation Webinar - Free Live & Not For CLE
2024-05-23 13:00 - 14:00
Legal Departments in Transformation: Navigating Success, Access to Justice, and Technological Change in 2024
This is a sponsored webinar and CLE will not be offered.
Join Thomson Reuters and learn about the evolving landscape of government legal departments in 2024. This webinar will explore how government legal departments define and measure success, the strategic approaches to overcoming ongoing challenges in the public sector, and the efforts to improve access to justice in an era of technological advancement. Discover how legal professionals confidently employ current technologies and understand the vital role of AI in shaping the future of government legal departments.
Speakers: Rabihah Butler & Christie Weidemann

Implicit Bias Webinar
2024-05-28 13:00 - 14:00
Me? Biased? How Biology and Psychology Affect Our Opinions and Actions
So much of the practice of law involves decision-making, and convincing others to make better decisions based upon fact rather than emotion. This course is intended to guide the attendees to appreciate how they involuntarily make decisions and guide them to recognize and prevent bias, and to know how to effectively communicate with persons whose bias affects others.
Speaker: Claude E. Ducloux

Code Enforcement Webinar
2024-06-11 13:00 - 14:00
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

Police Misconduct Webinar
2024-06-18 13:00 - 14:00
Navigating the Conflicts of Interest facing the Municipal Attorney Responsible for Police Misconduct Litigation
In cases involving alleged police misconduct, civil suits seeking damages are usually brought against individual officers under Title 42, United States Code, section 1983, though sometimes units of local government employing the officers are also named as defendants. The unit of government that employs the officer is usually obligated to provide a defense for the officer-defendant, and to indemnify the officer for legal costs, including the payment of judgments and settlements of actions arising from the scope of employment. Individual officers named as defendants accordingly are represented by attorneys whose fiduciary obligations run to the officer, not the municipality or other governmental entity that employs the officer. These attorneys have an ethical obligation to keep evidence of their clients’ misconduct from their clients’ employers, even if this leads to expensive settlements paid by the employer. Thus, there is a serious potential conflict of interest between the interests of the individual officer named as a defendant that the officer’s employer, raising important issues of both ethics and public policy. This presentation will outline those conflicts and suggest how they may be best navigated by municipal attorneys, even when they must hire or supervise attorneys representing individual officers entitled to indemnity, while also protecting the interests of their governmental client.
Speaker: Lawrence Rosenthal

Short Term Rentals Webinar
2024-06-27 13:00 - 14:00
What Happens Next: Enforcing (And Litigating) Short-Term Rental Regulations
This webinar is a follow-up to a previous session on drafting enforceable short-term rental regulations. After the often rigorous procedure of adopting comprehensive short-term rental regulations, navigating the new enforcement landscape – and any resulting legal challenges – presents a new set of difficulties, particularly in light of the ever-changing nature of short-term rental operations and the continuing lack of definitive case law on key short-term rental issues. This presentation will discuss suggested approaches to enforcement, including coordination with code enforcement and prosecutors; options for neutralizing threats of litigation; and strategies for responding to common claims raised in short-term rental litigation.
Speaker: Rachel Raggio

Well-Being Webinar
2024-07-02 13:00 - 14:00
Wellness in Law: Finding Harmony Between Personal and Professional Performance
This session will tentatively cover the following topics:

Explain the importance of attorney well-being as an integral aspect of fulfilling the duty of competence
Define the dimensions of Well-Being in Law
Provide recommendations for positive change in attorney well-being
Analyze a case study of a law firm as one of the best places to work
Promote resources available to attorneys

Speaker: Ken Nourse

LGLC Supreme Court Review for Local Governments: 2023-2024 Term Webinar - This is not an IMLA Webinar
2024-07-08 13:00 - 14:30
Supreme Court Review for Local Governments: 2023-2024 Term

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

Homeless encampments
First Amendment social media for government employees and officials
An employment standard for transfers under Title VII
Impact fees and more!

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.
Speakers: Theane Evangelis, John Korzen & Amanda Karras

Public Information Acts Webinar
2024-07-09 13:00 - 14:00
Current Challenges and Trending Topics in Public Information Acts
This CLE will focus on the current challenges faced by government lawyers assisting their clients in navigating their state’s public information act laws. It will discuss trends and best practices for navigating this ever-changing field.
Speaker: Hilary Ruley

Telecom Webinar
2024-07-11 13:00 - 14:00
Modern Franchising – Authority, Revenue, & Digital Equality
This CLE will show how cable franchises are still important contracts for local governments, discuss the impact of streaming video on these contracts, and review recent litigation and legislation. We will discuss how modern broadband franchising could be used to best ensure equal access to broadband, including a review of current litigation, legislation, the BEAD program, the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA), and FCC advocacy. We will also review the FCC’s Digital Discrimination Order, municipal participation in the docket, and its appeal to the Eighth Circuit.
Speaker: Michael “Mike” Bradley

Service Animals Webinar
2024-07-16 13:00 - 14:00
IT’S A ZOO HERE! A practical guide on permitting Service Animals into the Workplace
It is important to accommodate wherever possible any employee with a disability who needs the accommodation of a service animal. As an employer, you need to understand what a service animal is, what is a reasonable expectation and request from you, and how to blend all of that. Not always easy, but we have some suggestions. Join us for the answers!
Speaker: Joanie Winters
