IMLA

Finance Webinar
2022-02-10 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
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

Civility Discussion
2022-02-09 15:00 - 16:00
If you care to take part in this call, please email cstorer@imla.org.

By way of background, there is a feeling, if not a reality, that civility, public discourse, and interactions we all have with one another are becoming more negative by the day. This, we find, is true in local government as well. NLC released a report in 2021 highlighting the existence of the issue on a national scale (https://www.nlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/On-the-Frontlines-of-Todays-Cities-1.pdf).
Engagement with the people is essential to our form of government. This is especially true when it comes to local governments. The discussion between a local entity and the public is not like Twitter, an uncivil individual can’t just be removed from the platform. Local governments are tasked with finding ways to operate that maximize public engagement and free speech while maintaining order and civility in public meetings, amongst local officials, between local officials and the public, and on social media.
Join Robert Palmer, the General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for the Iowa League of Cities to discuss the role of the local government attorney in assisting the government in promoting civility, including a discussion of legal considerations in doing so. This is not a formal presentation, but rather, the aim is to foster discussion on zoom between members interested in this issue.

Affirmative Litigation Call
2022-02-09 13:00 - 14:00
If you care to take part in this call, please email cstorer@imla.org.

Telecommunications Webinar
2022-02-08 13:00 - 14:30
Key Legal Issues: From Plan Implementation Through Ongoing Operation and Regulatory Compliance
This presentation is the second of a two-part presentation. Lawyers from Keller and Heckman LLP will address the critical legal and regulatory issues that public broadband initiatives and partnerships typically encounter at each stage of a project from initial opportunity assessment to ongoing operation and regulatory compliance. It will focus on negotiation and implementation of project plans; startup activities; contract matters of many kinds; and federal and state regulatory compliance. This presentation will also discuss privacy and cybersecurity; and developments to watch. Part 1 is scheduled for January 6, 2022.
Speaker: Jim Baller, Sean Stokes, Casey Lide, Wes Wright & Tracy Marshall

Code Enforcement Conference Call
2022-02-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-01-05 13:00 - 14:00

Homelessness Working Group Conference Call
2022-02-03 15:00 - 16:00, 2022-01-06 15:00 - 16:00, 2021-12-02 15:00 - 16:00, 2021-12-01 15:00 - 16:00

Cannabis Call
2022-02-02 15:00 - 16:00

General Webinar
2022-02-01 13:00 - 14:00
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

Code Enforcement Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2022-01-28 13:00 - 14:00
An Assist from the Bench: Addressing Problem Properties with Dedicated Code Enforcement Courts
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
Litigation frequently serves as the legal backstop when code enforcement agencies have exhausted other avenues to gain compliance or when properties pose special challenges or imminent threats to public health and safety. While they can appear straightforward, today’s code cases involve complex legal issues related to ownership and title, interpretation of state laws and local ordinances, and the innovative use of civil and criminal remedies. Compounding the challenge, municipal attorneys often bring cases in courts that lack both expertise in the legal and policy nuances that drive code enforcement and familiarity with the community context that surround problem properties. In a handful of cities across the country, however, code enforcement cases are assigned to a dedicated court or court division with the jurisdiction and experience necessary to adjudicate the myriad of violations and issues at play.
This webinar will discuss a range of legal and procedural topics impacting municipal attorneys and prosecutors that handle code cases, including considerations for the effective presentation and resolution of code enforcement cases. This webinar will also compare and contrast two of these specialized judicial models: the Shelby County (TN) Environmental Court and the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court. In a conversation with faculty from the Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy (SCEMA), Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Patrick Dandridge and Cleveland Height Municipal Court Judge JJ Costello will address the opportunities and challenges that come with having a devoted court hear, decide, and manage code enforcement cases.
Speaker: Judge J.J. Costello, Judge Patrick Dandridge, Daniel M. Schaffzin & Joe Schilling

Climate Change Conference Call
2022-01-26 15:00 - 16:00

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Conference Call
2022-01-26 14:00 - 15:00

Diversity Webinar
2022-01-25 13:00 - 14:00
Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (DEI) In the Workplace: Creating Impactful and Sustainable DEI Programs in Law Firms
The presentation will largely be geared towards programming for law firms. The topic of DEI in law firms has been discussed at some level for many years. But just encouraging awareness and discussion is not enough. The presentation will provide tips and strategies for attorneys, including those representing local governments, to successfully implement sustainable DEI Programs in law firms. The presentation will also discuss the current trends in diverse hiring and recruitment and the benefits of prioritizing DEI programming.
Speaker: Chanae Wood

Last day to register for the 2022 Event Bundle
2022-01-15
2022 MEGA Bundle
2 great events for one low price!
2022 Mid-Year Seminar & 87th Annual Conference
April 8-11, 2022 | Washington, D.C. | Omni Shoreham Hotel
October 19-23, 2022 | Portland, OR | Hilton Portland Downtown & The Duniway, A Hilton Hotel

Super Save Rates for the Mid-Year Seminar End
2022-01-14
2022 Mid-Year Seminar

April 8-11, 2022 | Washington, D.C. | Omni Shoreham Hotel

Law Practice Management Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members & Free Live for Thomson Reuters Members*
2022-01-13 13:00 - 14:00
Office Management Solutions – Government Insights
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
*Free live for Thomson Reuters Members with Registration Code.
This session will give you deeper knowledge into what City and County Agencies are doing right now for office management solutions. The discussion will tackle what challenges they are trying to solve for and what they are investing in for people and technology solutions. Specifically, addressing matter management, document automation and public records requests.
Speaker: Kay Engler, Gordon Kwan & Andy Heglund

COVID-19 Conference Call
2022-01-11 15:00 - 16:00

Diversity Webinar
2022-01-11 13:00 - 14:00
How Denver Does It: The Creation of an Equity Program and Issues Faced
Kwali Farbes and Deanne Durfee from the Denver City Attorney’s Office will speak about the Denver City Attorney’s Office’s program on equity. The presentation will discuss how the program was created and curriculum used for the program. The presentation will also discuss practical issues, including legal issues, that come with implementing such a program in a law office.
Speaker: Kwali Farbes and Deanne Durfee

Young Lawyers Conference Call
2022-01-10 13:00 - 14:00

Telecommunications Webinar
2022-01-06 13:00 - 14:30
Key Legal Issues: From Preliminary Assessment Through Detailed Project Planning
In this two-part presentation, lawyers from Keller and Heckman LLP will address the critical legal and regulatory issues that public broadband initiatives and partnerships typically encounter at each stage of a project from initial opportunity assessment to ongoing operation and regulatory compliance. They will focus on authority issues; federal and state funding opportunities; infrastructure challenges (rights-of-way, easements, franchises, pole attachments, wireless matters, etc.); and access to customers, content, and services. This presentation will also discuss telephony issues (including 911); organizational and governance issues; and partnerships. Part 2 is scheduled for February 8, 2022.
Speaker: Jim Baller, Sean Stokes, Casey Lide, Tracy Marshall & Wes Wright

Last day for members to register for lower price Kitchen Sink
2021-12-31
2022 Kitchen Sink Subscription

Your ENTIRE office will receive 40+ CLE distance learning events for a fraction of what it would cost separately!

“The work of the city and county attorney gets more complex with each passing year. One significant challenge is keeping abreast of recent developments in federal law and regulatory actions affecting public agencies. Each year, IMLA puts on 40+ webinars which allow me and my staff to stay current and be in the best position possible to advise our clients on these difficult issues. It is without a doubt the best training resource we have for legal issues at the federal level.”

Last day for members to register for the Mega Bundle
2021-12-31
2022 MEGA Bundle

All THREE listed below for one low price!
2022 Mid-Year Seminar, 87th Annual Conference & 2022 Kitchen Sink Subscription

April 8-11, 2022 | Washington, D.C. | Omni Shoreham Hotel
October 19-23, 2022 | Portland, OR | Hilton Portland Downtown & The Duniway, A Hilton Hotel

Preemption Webinar - Free Live For IMLA Members
2021-12-09 13:00 - 14:00
Equitable Housing Preemption
CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.
This session examines state preemption of local authority to protect tenants, particularly during COVID, and expand affordable housing . Many state legislatures, in both “red” and “blue” states, preempt local governments from increasing housing supply, crafting inclusionary zoning, or implementing rent regulations to alleviate housing unaffordability. This dynamic has particularly come to a head during the COVID-19 pandemic as local governments have sought to impose eviction moratoriums and extend other support to burdened renters. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for local government leadership on equitable housing policies, and even where state preemption exists, local governments may still be able advance housing equity through collaboration with the federal government through the American Rescue Plan.
Speaker: Nestor Davidson, Sarah Beth Gehl, Lauren A. Lowery & Ben Winig

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Book Club Meeting
2021-12-08 15:00 - 16:00
If you care to take part in this call, please email cstorer@imla.org.

The book is: Standing Bear is a Person

Ethics Webinar
2021-12-07 13:00 - 14:00
Ethics: the Local Government Attorney’s Role as a Competent Advisor
One of the primary functions and a day-to-day responsibility of a local government attorney is providing advice. All attorneys advise clients, but the advice a local government attorney gives the local government governing body, boards, commissions, and staff affects an entire community and in a broader sense, our society. This presentation examines the interplay of ABA Model Ethics Rules 1.1 (Attorney Competence) and 2.1 (Attorney’s Role as Advisor) and how those rules affect local government attorneys regular professional life when advising governing bodies and staff, including the need to: (1) Be straightforward; (2) present other considerations beyond strictly technical legal advice; and (3) consider the timing and process of offering advice.
Speaker: Judge Rodney D. Adams, Cathy Cunningham & Roger Horner

Animal Law Webinar
2021-12-01 13:00 - 14:00
Herding Cats- Augmenting Animal Services in a Post-COVID World
95% of Americans now view pets as members of their family and animal services is evolving to reflect new community values and expectations, similar to the evolving role of policing. Best Friends staff with expertise in these issues will discuss empowering animal field services officers to be more responsive and efficient in the field, effective policies concerning dangerous dogs and reckless owners, community engagement of volunteers and legal frameworks to reduce the risk of liability.
Speaker: Ledy VanKavage, Scott Giacoppo, Tammy Jo Hallman & Rebecca Huss

Affirmative Litigation Webinar
2021-11-18 13:00 - 14:00
Affirmative Litigation – The Municipality as Plaintiff
This presentation is a review of various major affirmative litigation activities by local governments, including false claims, video services, e-cigarettes, PFAS, climate change, and opioids. This presentation will also discuss causes of action, defenses, and case trajectories.
Speaker: Erich Eiselt, Sara Gross & Michael Bologna
