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Please note topic selection is on a first come first served basis and we are not able to guarantee you a topic due to size limitations.
Designed for those new to local government law, this table offers a relaxed space to discuss the unique challenges of the first few years as a municipal attorney. Join us to swap early-career tips, ask “No Stupid Questions,” and build a network of peers who are navigating the same learning curve.
Host:
Todd Sheeran
Herriman, Utah
Discussion about the unique management challenges for City Attorney’s offices with 2-5 attorneys including how to best organize the office, delegation challenges, using technology, and addressing turnover and vacancies.
Host:
Kari R. Fisk
Grand Island, Nebraska
Host:
Amanda Karras
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Advising council and law enforcement post Grants Pass on public camping and ROW use ordinances, street ambassadors, day resource centers, park and street clean ups, business and resident concerns, state or federal involvement. Share what your community is doing and hear from others on this wide spread and challenging issue and current hot topic.
Host:
Steve Nick
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
No single theme—just timely, practical discussion. Join colleagues for a wide-ranging conversation on the diverse legal questions facing local governments today.
Protests, Assembly Rights, and Government Response—what are the limits on assembly and free speech? Is AI changing the nature of free speech under the First Amendment? Impact of free speech on freedom of the press? First Amendment Auditors—when and where do they cross the line?
Host:
Kelly Y. Schwab
Chandler, Arizona
The integration of data centers with municipal infrastructure and community development is a complex yet crucial aspect of modern urban planning. Municipalities play a vital role in shaping the development and operation of data centers, ensuring that these facilities align with economic, environmental, and community development goals. This table will discuss the topics your community needs to know related to zoning and permits of data centers, their economic impact, suggested community outreach solutions, and environmental considerations.
Host:
Ashley M. Ulbricht
Taft Law
“dealing with expert witnesses”
Host:
Thomas Carpenter
Little Rock, Arkansas
Employment law is a never ending source of opportunities for creative problem solving. We will discuss common employment law issues and strategies to address them. Topics will include managing challenging employees, reasonable accommodation, and labor negotiations.
Host:
Darren Shulman
Upper Arlington, Ohio
Our table will discuss current challenges and opportunities in municipal oversight of broadband, cable television, streaming services, and telecommunications providers, focusing on state legislative developments, new cases, enforcement proceedings, and franchising strategies. We’ll discuss legislative and legal strategies for protecting municipalities and their residents regarding modern communications.
Host:
Michael R. Bradley
Bradley Werner, LLC
This table will give IMLA members an opportunity to share information (and stories) about parliamentary procedure for elected officials. Issues to be discussed include: sources of parliamentary procedure, role of the presiding officer, meeting agendas, motion practice, and tools for educating elected officials.
Host:
Ben Mount
North Carolina League of Municipalities
We will discuss ways to structure your leadership approach. The host will encourage the sharing of examples of actions that bring leadership principles to life.
Host:
Alan Bojorquez
Bojorquez Law Firm, PC
This table discussion will examine the updates on federal funding; case updates on conditions against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to receive funding; compliance requirements; and strategies to strengthen DEI initiatives within local jurisdictions.
Host:
Deanna Shahnami
International Municipal Lawyers Association
This table will discuss how emerging technologies are changing daily operations in local government, from legal research and drafting to permitting, public communications, and artificial intelligence.
Host:
Sean Cooley
International Municipal Lawyers Association
IMLA members have increasingly gone on the offensive to protect the interests of their constituents, whether seeking redress for opioids, PFAS, ghost guns, vapes, and other harms, enjoining and penalizing abusive consumer practices in finance, housing, and other areas, and more recently, pushing back against federal overreach in funding, immigration, and other civil incursions. Join the kindred spirits who wage war on behalf of their communities, discuss issues of common interest, and make new connections.
Host:
Erich Eiselt
International Municipal Lawyers Association
A table for chief legal officers and that will discuss law office management issues.
At its core, the code enforcement function of a municipality is about making sure people comply with ordinances that protect public health, safety, and neighborhood standards. The codes/ordinances to be enforced are Property Maintenance codes (blight, junk, tall grass, unsafe structures), Building codes (unpermitted work, unsafe construction), Zoning ordinances (illegal uses, setback violations, too many rentals, etc.) Sign ordinances (size, lighting, and location), Nuisance ordinances (noise, debris, abandoned vehicles) Health and Sanitation regulations, and sometimes rental registration/inspection programs.
Host:
Peter Letzmann
An informal, practitioner-focused discussion on the evolving challenges facing local government employers—ranging from discipline and due process to remote work, accommodation requests, and workforce expectations. We’ll share lessons learned, common pitfalls, and practical strategies for advising elected officials and department leadership.
Host:
Todd M. Starr
Mesa County, Colorado
A discussion on how various construction project delivery methods—such as design bid build, CMAR, and design build—impact project risk allocation, cost, schedule, and municipal control. Participants will explore when each delivery system is most effective and why public entities may prefer one over another.
Host:
Wallace Trembath III
Casper, Wyoming
