32^nd Annual

School Law Conference

Austin Feb 23-24, 2017 AT&T Conference Center
Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Feb 23-24, 2017
Conference Concluded

Buy

Related products: eConference Materials

Download Brochure (PDF)

Overview

UT Law’s 32nd Annual School Law Conference is the definitive program for school administrators, school board members, education professionals and the legal counsel who represent them. Presentations offer in-depth, practical discussion of the legal and regulatory issues affecting schools and school districts and provide a must-have set of materials and resources. 2017 highlights include:

Take a deep dive in to T-TESS and T-PESS practicalities with Jefferson K. Brim III, Brim, Robinett, Cantu & Brim, P.C., Austin, TX and Merri Schneider-Vogel, Thompson & Horton LLP, Houston, TX.
Hear practical guidance for working with students, staff, school boards, and community members on the multi-faceted issues related to transgender students.
Get the latest on Cameras in the Classroom with Nona C. Matthews, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C., Irving, TX
Explore the line between school employee’s speech as public employees and private citizens.
Gain practical tips on reasonable accommodations from a former general counsel turned human resources administrator.
Review recent Commissioner of Education decisions and hear the latest developments from the Attorney General’s Office.
Learn to navigate the contentious intersection of individual rights relating to student speech, dangerous behavior, and service animals in the school setting.
Explore the issues addressed in the EEOC Strategic Enforcement Plan for Fiscal Years 2017-2021 with Joe Bontke, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Houston, TX.
Review requirements, best practices, and pitfalls of which every school lawyer should be aware when financing, purchasing, or selling real property interests.
Network with fellow school law attorneys while earning up to 12.50 hours of credit, including 2.0 hours of ethics.

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Day 1 February 23, 2017
Day 2 February 24, 2017

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, Feb. 23, 2017
Presiding Officer:
Ellen H. Spalding, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX
7:30 am
Austin Only

Registration Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:25 am

Welcoming Remarks
8:30 am

1.00 hr

Commissioner Decisions Update

Hear an update on Commissioner of Education decisions from the past year.

Mark P. Tilley, Texas Association of School Boards - Austin, TX
9:30 am

0.50 hr

Recent Developments from the Attorney General's Office

Survey the latest Attorney General opinions, open records decisions, and open meetings guidance applicable to Texas schools.

Sierra Del Fisher, Karczewski Bradshaw LLP - Beaumont, TX
10:00 am

Break
10:15 am

0.75 hr

A Future Look at EEOC Emerging Issues

Hear a succinct overview of issues important to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission including eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring, protecting vulnerable workers, preventing systemic harassment, wellness initiatives, gender stereotyping, social media, new forms of retaliation and harassment, and other emerging topics in the Strategic Enforcement Plan for Fiscal Years 2017-2021.

Joe Bontke, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Houston, TX
11:00 am

0.75 hr

T‑TESS and T‑PESS Update: A Practicum of Everyday Challenges to These New Appraisal Systems

Discuss feedback from respective clients on challenges they face as they navigate these new appraisal systems, and get suggestions for avoiding wasteful days in conflict.

Jefferson K. Brim III, Brim, Robinett, Cantu & Brim, P.C. - Austin, TX
Merri Schneider-Vogel, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
11:45 am

0.50 hr

Collision of Individual Rights

Student speech, service animals in classrooms, and managing dangerous behaviors—learn to navigate the contentious intersection of individual rights in the school setting.

Eric G. Rodriguez, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C. - San Antonio, TX
12:15 pm
Austin Only

Lunch On Your Own
Thursday Afternoon
Presiding Officer:
Ellen H. Spalding, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX
1:30 pm

0.50 hr

Best Practices for Working with Transgender Students

Gain practical guidance for working with students, staff, school boards, and community members on the multi-faceted issues related to transgender students.

Marney Collins Sims, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD - Houston, TX
2:00 pm

0.50 hr

There Is No Escaping Special Education Issues for the School District Attorney

Discuss the vocabulary, issues, regulations, and key cases about which all school attorneys should be aware.

Jim Walsh, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C. - Austin, TX
2:30 pm

0.50 hr

FLSA Update

Take a look at the Department of Labor’s recent changes to the overtime regulations and their expected impact. Explore how school districts frequently run afoul of the FLSA, practical tips to minimize liability exposure, and creative options available to school districts under the statute.

Caitlin Holland Sewell, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX
3:00 pm

0.50 hr

EEOC: Arrested Developments

Hear an overview of the EEOC's Enforcement Guidance on Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII. Learn how the guidance affects hiring decisions and how school districts can ensure they stay on the right side of the law.

Leah Robertson, Midland ISD - Midland, TX
3:30 pm

Break
3:45 pm

0.50 hr

The Importance of the Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Doctrine

Gain insight into the exhaustion of administrative remedies doctrine, including its exceptions and application during the grievance process and state court litigation.

Juan J. Cruz, J. Cruz & Associates, LLC - Laredo, TX
4:15 pm

0.50 hr

Financing, Purchasing and Selling Property

Real estate transactions can trigger unique procedural and legal requirements for school districts and charter schools. Review requirements, best practices, and pitfalls of which every school lawyer should be aware when financing, purchasing, or selling real property interests.

Michelle Regal Morris, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX
4:45 pm

0.75 hr ethics

Navigating through the SBEC Educator’s Code of Ethics

Survey the provisions of Texas Administrative Code § 247.2, including disciplinary proceedings and sanctions and a review of recent cases.

This session has moved to Friday at 1:50 p.m.

Augustin Rivera Jr., Del Mar College District - Corpus Christi, TX
5:30 pm

Adjourn

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, Feb. 24, 2017
Presiding Officer:
Fred A. Stormer III, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. - Amarillo, TX
7:30 am
Austin Only

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:30 am

0.75 hr

Teachers Say The Darnedest Things—Again

Hear a school district attorney’s and a school employee attorney’s perspectives on the First Amendment line between school employees' speech as public employees and private citizens.

Michael J. Currie, Texas Classroom Teachers Association - Austin, TX
Christopher B. Gilbert, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
9:15 am

0.75 hr
0.50 hr ethics

Conducting School Investigations That Result in Useable Findings, On Time, and Within Budget

Learn tips and best practices in conducting investigations, including evidentiary issues, information gathering, and reporting. Also, review ethics considerations, including privilege, conflicts, and more.

Giana Ortiz, The Ortiz Law Firm - Arlington, TX
Corey E. Tanner, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. - Austin, TX
Ronnie Paiz Garcia, Underwood - Lubbock, TX
10:00 am

0.50 hr

Cameras in the Classroom

Review the new Texas Education Code provision requiring the installation and operation of cameras in certain self-contained special education classrooms. Discuss the relevant Commissioner’s rules and recent Attorney General opinion, gain practical application tips, and understand FERPA implications.

Nona C. Matthews, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C. - Irving, TX
10:30 am

Break
10:45 am

0.75 hr

Settlement Agreements for the 21st Century

Explore whether it is time to update and rethink how settlement agreements are written. An employer and an employee lawyer share their thoughts on resolving conflicts and how improvements may be made.

Kevin F. Lungwitz, The Lungwitz Law Firm, P.C. - Austin, TX
Lisa R. McBride, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
11:30 am

0.50 hr

Discrimination and Student Discipline

Schools are increasingly focused on maintaining safe school environments while avoiding any illegal discrimination or claims of illegal discrimination. Discuss alternative discipline techniques, the role of the Campus Behavior Coordinator, and other methods of using student discipline data to achieve optimal environments.

Lynn Rossi Scott, Brackett & Ellis, P.C. - Fort Worth, TX
12:00 pm
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch

Included in registration.
Friday Afternoon, Feb. 24, 2017
Presiding Officer:
Fred A. Stormer III, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. - Amarillo, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:20 pm

0.75 hr

Every Student Succeeds Act Update

Hear an overview of the new federal law and an explanation of the major changes that impact Texas school districts, including the latest updates from the Department of Education and the Texas Education Agency regarding transitions and key state decisions.

Jasmine Wightman, Texas Association of School Boards, Inc - Austin, TX
1:05 pm

Break
1:20 pm

0.50 hr

Reasonable Accommodations: A Discussion of Logistics and Practical Implications

Get practical tips on handling accommodation requests, including tips for working with health care providers, from the perspective of a former General Counsel turned Human Resources Administrator.

Cynthia Rincón, Fort Worth ISD - Fort Worth, TX
1:50 pm

0.75 hr ethics

Conflicts, Ethics and Slippery Slopes

Taxpayer, parent, spouse, school board member—a school lawyer can hold many roles. Examine the potential conflicts of interest that can arise for school law attorneys.

This session has moved to Thursday at 4:45 p.m.

Amanda Moore, Texas State Teachers Association - Austin, TX
Janet Sobey Bubert, Underwood Law, P.C. - Fort Worth, TX
2:35 pm

Adjourn

Day 1 February 23, 2017
Day 2 February 24, 2017

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Joe Bontke

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Houston, TX

Jefferson K. Brim III

Brim, Robinett, Cantu & Brim, P.C.
Austin, TX

Janet Sobey Bubert

Underwood Law, P.C.
Fort Worth, TX

Juan J. Cruz

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Laredo, TX

Michael J. Currie

Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Sierra Del Fisher

Karczewski Bradshaw LLP
Beaumont, TX

Ronnie Paiz Garcia

Underwood
Lubbock, TX

Christopher B. Gilbert

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Kevin F. Lungwitz

The Lungwitz Law Firm, P.C.
Austin, TX

Nona C. Matthews

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C.
Irving, TX

Lisa R. McBride

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Amanda Moore

Texas State Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Michelle Regal Morris

Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P.
Houston, TX

Giana Ortiz

The Ortiz Law Firm
Arlington, TX

Cynthia Rincón

Fort Worth ISD
Fort Worth, TX

Augustin Rivera Jr.

Del Mar College District
Corpus Christi, TX

Leah Robertson

Midland ISD
Midland, TX

Eric G. Rodriguez

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C.
San Antonio, TX

Merri Schneider-Vogel

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Lynn Rossi Scott

Brackett & Ellis, P.C.
Fort Worth, TX

Caitlin Holland Sewell

Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P.
Houston, TX

Marney Collins Sims

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Houston, TX

Corey E. Tanner

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Austin, TX

Mark P. Tilley

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Jim Walsh

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C.
Austin, TX

Jasmine Wightman

Texas Association of School Boards, Inc
Austin, TX

Planning Committee

Ellen H. Spalding—Co-Chair

Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P.
Houston, TX

Fred A. Stormer III—Co-Chair

Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Amarillo, TX

Jefferson K. Brim III

Brim, Robinett, Cantu & Brim, P.C.
Austin, TX

Shellie Hoffman Crow

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C.
Austin, TX

Juan J. Cruz

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Laredo, TX

Bryan P. Dahlberg

Schulman Lopez & Hoffer LLP
San Antonio, TX

Donna Derryberry

Association of Texas Professional Educators
Austin, TX

Sierra Del Fisher

Karczewski Bradshaw LLP
Beaumont, TX

Christopher B. Gilbert

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Andrea Slater Gulley

Amarillo Independent School District
Amarillo, TX

Wayne D. Haglund

Haglund Law Firm, P.C.
Lufkin, TX

Jennifer L. Hall

Escamilla & Poneck, LLP
San Antonio, TX

Roger D. Hepworth

The Fowler Law Firm
Austin, TX

Elneita Hutchins-Taylor

Houston Independent School District
Houston, TX

Julie Leahy

Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Kevin F. Lungwitz

The Lungwitz Law Firm, P.C.
Austin, TX

Marquette M. Maresh

Marquette Legal
Austin, TX

Mia M. Martin

Richardson Independent School District
Richardson, TX

Leticia D. McGowan

Dallas Independent School District
Dallas, TX

Mari M. McGowan

Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C.
McKinney, TX

Amanda Moore

Texas State Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Thomas E. "Tom" Myers

Brackett & Ellis, P.C.
Fort Worth, TX

Laura O'Leary

Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt and Kutchin
Dallas, TX

S. Anthony Safi

Mounce, Green, Myers, Safi, Paxson & Galatzan, P.C.
El Paso, TX

Deborah Salzberg

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Marney Collins Sims

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Houston, TX

Mark P. Tilley

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Holly Boyd Wardell

Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Mehl, P.C.
Austin, TX

MCLE Credit

Texas – 12.50 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Administrative Law, Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Labor and Employment Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 12.50 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Oklahoma – 15.00 hrs | 2.50 hrs Ethics

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 15.00 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

TX School Board Member (TEA) – 0.00 hr

UT Law CLE is a Registered Provider of TEA Board Member training under provider number 2022-3-2-RP-6149. You may use your hours from the School Law Conference to self-report your credit for TEA Board Member training. More information is located at the TEA website and the training site here:

https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/school-boards/school-board-member-training

http://www.tea.state.tx.us

MCLE Credit

Texas – 12.50 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Administrative Law, Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Labor and Employment Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 12.50 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

To claim California MCLE credit, California credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Oklahoma – 15.00 hrs | 2.50 hrs Ethics

To claim Oklahoma MCLE credit, Oklahoma credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #169) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Oklahoma Bar Association for MCLE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the webcast.

Other States – 12.50 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State

If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.

To claim Other States MCLE credit, Other States credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records and to provide to other licensing authorities as needed.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 15.00 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. In compliance with the rules, UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

To claim Texas Accounting CPE credit, the Texas Accounting CPE credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. Self-report your CPE credit directly to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

TX School Board Member (TEA) – 12.50 hrs | 2.00 hrs Ethics

Key Dates

Austin – Feb 23-24, 2017 – AT&T Conference Center

Conference Concluded

Live Webcast – Feb 23-24, 2017

Conference Concluded

Buy

Austin
Live Webcast

Individual
Last day for $495.00 Regular pricing: Feb 22, 2017

$545.00 for registrations received after this time

School District Employee
Last day for $395.00 Regular pricing: Feb 23, 2017

$445.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $445.00 Regular pricing: Feb 22, 2017

$495.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $400.00 Regular pricing: Feb 22, 2017

$450.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 17, 2017

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 20, 2017

Individual
School District Employee
Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 17, 2017

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 20, 2017

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

The University of Texas at Austin
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX
877.744.8822 (reservations)
Map

Accommodations

Special Room Rate: $185
good through February 8, 2017
reference "2017 School Law Conference"
(subject to availability)

Parking Information

Free daily self-parking at UT garages. Separate fees apply for valet and overnight parking.

32nd Annual

School Law Conference

Austin Feb 23-24, 2017 AT&T Conference Center Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Feb 23-24, 2017 Conference Concluded

Buy

Related products: eConference Materials

Overview

Event Schedule

Thursday Morning, Feb. 23, 2017

Thursday Afternoon

Friday Morning, Feb. 24, 2017

Friday Afternoon, Feb. 24, 2017

Conference Faculty

Joe Bontke

Jefferson K. Brim III

Janet Sobey Bubert

Juan J. Cruz

Michael J. Currie

Sierra Del Fisher

Ronnie Paiz Garcia

Christopher B. Gilbert

Kevin F. Lungwitz

Nona C. Matthews

Lisa R. McBride

Amanda Moore

Michelle Regal Morris

Giana Ortiz

Cynthia Rincón

Augustin Rivera Jr.

Leah Robertson

Eric G. Rodriguez

Merri Schneider-Vogel

Lynn Rossi Scott

Caitlin Holland Sewell

Marney Collins Sims

Corey E. Tanner

Mark P. Tilley

Jim Walsh

Jasmine Wightman

Planning Committee

Ellen H. Spalding—Co-Chair

Fred A. Stormer III—Co-Chair

Jefferson K. Brim III

Shellie Hoffman Crow

Juan J. Cruz

Bryan P. Dahlberg

Donna Derryberry

Sierra Del Fisher

Christopher B. Gilbert

Andrea Slater Gulley

Wayne D. Haglund

Jennifer L. Hall

Roger D. Hepworth

Elneita Hutchins-Taylor

Julie Leahy

Kevin F. Lungwitz

Marquette M. Maresh

Mia M. Martin

Leticia D. McGowan

Mari M. McGowan

Amanda Moore

Thomas E. "Tom" Myers

Laura O'Leary

S. Anthony Safi

Deborah Salzberg

Marney Collins Sims

Mark P. Tilley

Holly Boyd Wardell

Credit Info

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

Key Dates

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

Accommodations

Parking Information

Stay in the loop with UT Law CLE

32^nd Annual

Austin Feb 23-24, 2017 AT&T Conference Center
Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Feb 23-24, 2017
Conference Concluded