DELAYED START TO WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021. Due to the severe weather currently impacting Texas, and the associated welfare insecurities, we have delayed the start of the conference.

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Overview

UT Law CLE’s 36th 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.

Event Schedule

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

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Day 1 – Wednesday Afternoon, Feb. 24, 2021
    Presiding Officer:
    Andrea Slater Gulley, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C. - Amarillo, TX
  • 12:50 pm
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 1:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    Expressions of Identity: A 21st Century Snapshot of Dress Code Issues
    Explore the judiciary’s recent treatment of dress code challenges brought under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Discussion includes practical tips for school districts to use in crafting dress codes that are appropriately sensitive to racial and gender stereotypes.

    Elizabeth L. Humphrey, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX

  • 1:30 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 1:35 pm
    1.00 hr
    Ensuring Impartiality in the Title IX Formal Complaint Process
    The new Title IX regulations apply processes and standards already familiar to higher education institutions to K-12 schools despite material and distinct differences between the two settings. Examine perspectives from both sides of the bar for maintaining impartiality in the investigation of formal Title IX complaints, accounting for the age and maturity of complainants, and other unique challenges in the K-12 context.

    Eric Ransleben, The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben - Roanoke, TX
    Cory Rush, Karczewski Bradshaw Spalding - Houston, TX

  • 2:35 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 2:40 pm
    0.50 hr
    Race, Repetition, and Reform
    Public schools are shaped by and themselves shape the biases and beliefs of their staff and students. Explore the ways in which implicit bias impacts the treatment of students of color while systems such as exclusionary discipline and school policing discourage those same students from believing that they have the power to advocate for anything better.

    Hector Bojorquez, Intercultural Development Research Association - San Antoino, TX
    Sesenu Y. Woldemariam, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid - San Antonio, TX

  • 3:10 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 3:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    Bostock and Its Consequences for School Districts – Title VII…and Beyond?
    Bostock is a landmark decision with clear consequences for every school district, as an employer, and its LGBTQ+ employees, but its reasoning has and will continue to impact the relationship between school districts and its LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ students. Explore Bostock’s important effects on Title VII and the TCHRA, including on the appropriate burden of proof to be applied, and on Title IX, including student-athlete and facilities issues.

    Francisco J. Valenzuela, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX

  • 4:00 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 4:05 pm
    1.00 hr
    COVID-19: Districts and Employees – The Balance Between Educating Students and Keeping Everyone Safe
    This presentation focuses on the evolving challenges facing districts and employees in the face of COVID-19 and addresses ADA accommodations, safety protocols, and a return to in-person learning.

    Karl Tiger Hanner, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
    Cynthia Rincón, Fort Worth ISD - Fort Worth, TX

  • 5:05 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 5:10 pm
    0.50 hr
    Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act: Judicial Updates and Other Developments
    Passed in 1994 and amended in 2011 to add protections against a hostile workplace, USERRA can complicate otherwise permissible employment decisions. A review of judicial decisions is intended to provide an overview of how the courts are interpreting the law with respect to reservists with civilian employers.

    Hans P. Graff, Sara Leon & Associates, LLC - Houston, TX

  • 5:40 pm
    Adjourn Day 1
    Day 2 starts Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 1:15 p.m. CST

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Day 2 – Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 25, 2021
    Presiding Officer:
    Mari M. McGowan, Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C. - McKinney, TX
  • 1:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    Commissioner Decisions Update
    Hear an update on Commissioner of Education decisions from the past year.
    This presentation was originally scheduled on Monday at 1:15 p.m.

    Mark P. Tilley, Texas Association of School Boards - Austin, TX

  • 2:00 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 2:05 pm
    0.50 hr
    Screening Applicants and Do Not Hire List: An Update
    The TEA Directors in charge of educator discipline layout the requirements of the Do Not Hire Registry for public school administrators. Topics include an update on the implementation of the Registry, screening applicants through fingerprinting, searching the Registry, the consequences of ignoring the Registry, and the obligations of Texas school administrators to investigate and report educator misconduct.
    This presentation was originally scheduled on Monday at 2:05 p.m.

    Laura Moriaty, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX
    David Rodriguez, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX

  • 2:35 pm
    40-Minute Break

  • 2:40 pm
    0.50 hr ethics
    Making Work-From-Home Work for You: Strategies for Coping During COVID-19
    A discussion on work-home balance when you can't seem to escape either.
    This presentation was originally scheduled on Monday at 2:40 p.m.

    The live webcast includes the materials for this presentation in your course materials, but not the live presentation. The presentation on Making Work-From-Home Work for You: Strategies for Coping During COVID-19 will be recorded and the video will be made available via "Your Briefcase" in the separately accredited eConference in 4–6 weeks.

    Bree Buchanan, Krill Strategies - Austin, TX
    Sarah Flournoy, Brackett & Ellis, P.C. - Fort Worth, TX

  • 3:15 pm
    1.00 hr
    Protecting Student Privacy While Using Virtual Learning, Educational Apps, and Advanced Technology Tools
    Explore the challenges of protecting student privacy and the applicability of FERPA while using remote learning, educational applications, and advanced technology. The session covers U.S. Department of Education guidance, court cases, and relevant inquiries from educational agencies and institutions regarding the use of such strategies and tools. 
    This presentation was originally scheduled on Monday at 3:15 p.m.

    Dale King, U.S. Department of Education - Washington, DC

  • 4:15 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 4:20 pm
    0.75 hr
    Overcoming the Challenges of Remote Learning
    Examine the various obstacles parents and school districts face with remote learning and hear solutions on how all stakeholders can collaboratively work together to ensure students with disabilities are provided a FAPE. 
    This presentation was originally scheduled on Monday at 4:20 p.m.

    Colleen M. Elbe, Disability Rights Texas - Lubbock, TX
    Pam Kaminsky, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX

  • 5:05 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 5:10 pm
    0.50 hr ethics
    Ethics: Are You Phoning it In? The Ethical Perils of Practicing Law from Your Cell Phone
    A review of the rules relating to ethical cell phone usage and how they correspond to our duties as lawyers.
    This presentation was originally scheduled on Monday at 5:10 p.m.

    Jaime Garcia, J. Cruz & Associates, LLC - Laredo, TX

  • 5:40 pm
    Adjourn Day 2
    Day 3 starts Friday, February 26, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. CST

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Day 3 – Friday Morning, Feb. 26, 2021
    Presiding Officer:
    Christopher B. Gilbert, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
  • 9:00 am
    0.75 hr
    Basics and Issues with Selling and Purchasing Real Property, Mineral Leases, and/or Cell Tower Leases
    An overview of the basics and possible issues surrounding the purchase and/or sale of real property or entering into mineral or cell tower leases.    

    Jason Michael Adelstein, Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP - San Antonio, TX

  • 9:45 am
    5-Minute Break

  • 9:50 am
    0.75 hr
    Workers Comp and Impact of COVID-19 on Claims
    COVID-19 has provided many new and distinct legal complications. One of the many complications is the rise in workers’ compensation claims and whether COVID-19 constitutes an occupational disease under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. Review best practices and new updates on workers’ compensation.

    Rebecca S. Bradley, ARBH - McKinney, TX
    Dan Price, Shanley Price, LLP - Austin, TX

  • 10:35 am
    5-Minute Break

  • 10:40 am
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Ransomware Attacks: Not If, But When
    An update on the recent ransomware activities targeting school districts and a practical guide to coordinating a response. Review common entry points, the first 48 hours post-attack, and reporting obligations under state and federal law.
    This presentation was recorded and will be broadcast during the live webcast. The speaker will not be available in real-time to answer questions.

    Kimberly Celeste Gordy, Baker & Hostetler LLP - Houston, TX

  • 11:25 am
    5-Minute Break

  • 11:30 am
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Advocating for your Clients in a Zoom World
    2020 ushered in a whole new way of advocating on behalf of clients. This session explores the best methods for using Zoom or other virtual platforms to conduct depositions, mediations, hearings, and trials. Join experienced litigator Meredith Prykryl Walker as she shares some of the lessons learned in the age of Zoom.

    Meredith Prykryl Walker, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C. - Irving, TX

  • 12:15 pm
    5-Minute Break

  • 12:20 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    It's Zoom's World, We're Just Living in It: Confidentiality and Ethics in Video Conferencing
    The recent increased reliance on video conferencing has raised a host of questions many of us hadn't thought of before, such as: What ethical obligations do I owe to clients when video conferencing? How do I assure attorney-client confidentiality and confidentiality of student information? What on earth is Zoombombing? This ethics-based presentation addresses those questions and more.

    Jeff Crownover, Prosper ISD - Prosper, TX

  • 1:05 pm
    Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Jason Michael Adelstein

Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP
San Antonio, TX

Hector Bojorquez

Intercultural Development Research Association
San Antoino, TX

Rebecca S. Bradley

ARBH
McKinney, TX

Bree Buchanan

Krill Strategies
Austin, TX

Jeff Crownover

Prosper ISD
Prosper, TX

Colleen M. Elbe

Disability Rights Texas
Lubbock, TX

Sarah Flournoy

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

Jaime Garcia

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Laredo, TX

Kimberly Celeste Gordy

Baker & Hostetler LLP
Houston, TX

Hans P. Graff

Sara Leon & Associates, LLC
Houston, TX

Karl Tiger Hanner

Attorney at Law
Austin, TX

Elizabeth L. Humphrey

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Pam Kaminsky

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

Dale King

U.S. Department of Education
Washington, DC

Laura Moriaty

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Dan Price

Shanley Price, LLP
Austin, TX

Eric Ransleben

The Law Offices of Eric G. Ransleben
Roanoke, TX

Cynthia Rincón

Fort Worth ISD
Fort Worth, TX

David Rodriguez

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Cory Rush

Karczewski Bradshaw Spalding
Houston, TX

Mark P. Tilley

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Francisco J. Valenzuela

Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Meredith Prykryl Walker

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

Sesenu Y. Woldemariam

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
San Antonio, TX

Planning Committee

Christopher B. Gilbert—Co-Chair

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Mari M. McGowan—Co-Chair

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

Brandon Y. Brim

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

Von Byer

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Juan J. Cruz

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Laredo, TX

Bryan P. Dahlberg

Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP
San Antonio, TX

Andrea Slater Gulley

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

Wayne D. Haglund

Haglund Law Firm, P.C.
Lufkin, TX

Cory S. Hartsfield

Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C.
Grapevine, TX

Christie L. Hobbs

Northwest ISD
Fort Worth, TX

Wesley E. Johnson

Escamilla & Poneck, LLP
San Antonio, TX

Kevin F. Lungwitz

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

Mia M. Martin

Richardson Independent School District
Richardson, TX

Leticia D. McGowan

Dallas Independent School District
Dallas, TX

Amanda Moore

Texas State Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Micki Morris

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

Susan Morrison

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Austin, TX

Thomas E. "Tom" Myers

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

Laura O'Leary

Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt and Kutchin
Dallas, TX

Giana Ortiz

The Ortiz Law Firm
Arlington, TX

Cory Rush

Karczewski Bradshaw Spalding
Houston, TX

Heather R. Rutland

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

S. Anthony Safi

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

Marney Collins Sims

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
Houston, TX

Fred A. Stormer III

The Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Amarillo, TX

Leslie R. Story

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Paige Williams

Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Credit Info

MCLE Credit
UT Law CLE will report credit to the State Bar of Texas on your behalf. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit.
Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. Print and keep the Certificate of Completion for your records. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit.
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. 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 Oklahoma MCLE credit, Oklahoma credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. 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.
UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks of the webcast conclusion. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.
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. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you.

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
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 Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.
UT Law CLE is a Registered Provider of TEA Board Member training under provider number 19-047-B. 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

Key Dates

Live Webcast – Feb 24-26, 2021
Register now
Live Webcast
Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 12, 2021

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 15, 2021

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