How to Advise Councilmembers Regarding DEI Initiatives (Even When They Are Against Them) Join Jeannine Williams, Chief Assistant City Attorney for St. Petersburg, Florida, for an insightful discussion on advising council members on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In this presentation, Jeannine will delve into the principles of accountable government and share strategies for tailoring your advice to council members while maintaining objectivity. Attendees will also gain valuable insights into the various DEI initiatives successfully implemented by the City...

Regulating Short-term Rentals at the Local Level The proliferation of the short-term rental industry has left local governments throughout the country contemplating how to balance protecting the character and integrity of their municipality while providing the necessary services resulting from increased traffic and tourism, among other things.  This course will provide an overview of the tools available at the local level to regulate short-term rentals, as well as a case law overview analyzing how different jurisdictions treat short-term rentals.  The...

AI: The Future of Humanity or the End of Civilization AI is more than a movie starring Haley Joel Osment from 2001, it's a force that has the potential to drastically change the practice of municipal law. This session would examine the various ways A.I. can impact attorneys representing local government. Or, as AI put it: The presentation will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the legal profession and the justice system, by providing examples of current and emerging...

Section 1983 Update: What You Need to Know in 2024 This presentation will provide a case law update on Section 1983 cases in the last year and what to expect in 2024. The presentation will also serve as an overview of Circuit cases covering hot-button issues in today’s legal landscape. From COVID-19 mandates to wrongful conviction, the Section 1983 Update will cover what municipal lawyers and lawyers who represent municipalities should know and expect when facing Section 1983 cases in...

Exceptions to the Fourth Amendment’s Warrant Requirement: Searches in Businesses and Schools The Fourth Amendment generally requires law enforcement officials to obtain a warrant supported by probable cause before entering or searching a person’s private property. The Supreme Court has carved exceptions to this rule to allow warrantless searches in certain contexts, including regulated businesses and schools. This presentation will discuss the evolving contours of the warrantless search doctrine and offer tips for government lawyers to keep their law enforcement...

Removing Individuals from Public Property CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply. Municipalities often must deal with members of the public who disrupt meetings, harass employees, or even threaten to harm elected officials. In such instances, officials may seek to temporarily remove that person from public property or ban them from re-entering the property. This presentation will cover the legal considerations for municipalities when removing or banning individuals from public property,...

Texas’ Super Preemption Legislation: The End of Home-Rule Authority in the State? CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply. In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, more commonly known as the super preemption bill, which purports to preempt municipalities and counties from regulating a broad range of conduct. This webinar will provide an overview of the law, discuss its legal and policy implications, and review the pending...

Supreme Court Preview for Local Governments: 2024-2025 Term This is NOT an IMLA webinar and CLE will not be offered. Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the new Supreme Court term and what decisions local governments should watch. The Supreme Court will rule on several major cases this term, including issues related to: The Clean Water Act So-called "ghost guns" Title VII Claims and "majority discrimination" Fourth Amendment claims and the...

Drafting, Editing, and AI This workshop gives you a chance to learn about the perils--and promise--of AI-assisted writing. Speaker: Patrick Barry

FRE 702 Update and Sampling of Experienced Law Enforcement Expert Utilization Strategies Challenges, limitations, and exclusions of law enforcement operations experts have been increasing. Some federal circuits have been increasing scrutiny of expert testimony admission. The Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) Rule 702: Testimony by Expert Witnesses was updated on December 1, 2023. This program includes: (1) review of FRE 702, (2) common grounds for law enforcement expert limitation and exclusion, and (3) strategies identified and experienced over several decades...