37^th Annual

School Law Conference

Austin Feb 17-18, 2022 AT&T Conference Center
Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Feb 17-18, 2022
Conference Concluded

Buy

Related products: eConference Materials

RECEPTION SPONSORS
Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C.
Brackett & Ellis, P.C.
Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt and Kutchin
Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P.
The Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Thompson & Horton LLP
Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C.

Download Brochure (PDF)

Overview

UT Law CLE’s 37th 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.

Day 1 February 17, 2022
Day 2 February 18, 2022

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, Feb. 17, 2022
Presiding Officer:
Christopher B. Gilbert, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
7:30 am
Austin Only

Registration Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:20 am

Welcoming Remarks
8:30 am

0.75 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
9:15 am

0.50 hr

Special Education Update

Review a round-up of recent agency guidance—as well as administrative and judicial decisions—concerning special education with a focus on COVID-19 issues. Dive into topics including “long-COVID,” IEP implementation, and compensatory services.

Elvin Houston, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle, P.C. - San Antonio, TX
9:45 am

0.50 hr

LGBTQIA+ Update

Analyze and untangle the web of issues relating to transgender students, including participation in UIL activities, proposed policies suggesting gender reassignment surgeries may be child abuse, student records and bathroom/locker room issues, and employment protections for openly gay teachers. With so much changing in the last year alone, this presentation discusses emerging case law, legislation, and regulations that affect LGBTQIA+ students and staff.

Andrea Mooney, Eichelbaum, Wardell, Hansen, Powell & Muñoz, P.C. - Plano, TX
10:15 am

15-Minute Break
10:30 am

0.50 hr

The FLSA and School Districts

Explore the application of the FLSA to school districts including misclassification of exempt employees, calculating overtime for dual employment, and compensatory time.

Ann Manning, The Underwood Law Firm, P.C. - Lubbock, TX
11:00 am

0.50 hr

The Changing Landscape of Contract Abandonment and Resignation from a Chapter 21 Contract

The passage of HB2519—as well as proposed amendments to the State Board for Educator Certification's disciplinary rules related to good cause or mitigating factors to resign from a teacher contract—have sparked a debate within the education community about when a teacher should be permitted to resign mid-year from a Chapter 21 employment contract. This presentation considers the background of that discussion and examines the new legislation and status of SBEC's rules related to enforcement of contract abandonment.

Julie Leahy, Texas Classroom Teachers Association - Austin, TX
11:30 am

0.50 hr

Critical Race Theory

So, exactly what is Critical Race Theory (CRT)? Learn about CRT, how it came to be, and explore what this scholarly work and the analytical framework offers us in our understanding of the intersection of race and law.

Shavonne Henderson, Assistant Dean for Equity and Inclusion, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
12:00 pm
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)

Included in registration.
Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 17, 2022
Presiding Officer:
Christopher B. Gilbert, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:30 pm

0.75 hr

Senate Bill 3 and the Two CRTs

SB3, passed in the 87th Texas Legislature's second special session, has the stated intent of “updat[ing] civics and social studies curriculum and instruction and prohibit[ing] the teaching of critical race theory and its elements.” But does this law also impact the other CRT, culturally relevant teaching? Attorneys from both sides of the bar explore the new law in-depth and share practical strategies for implementation, while also highlighting the potential dangers of over compliance.

Denise Nance Pierce, Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP - Austin, TX
Jason L. Stuart, United Educators Association - Fort Worth, TX
1:15 pm

15-Minute Break
1:30 pm

0.75 hr

Laws that May Negatively Impact Mental Health

Sometimes the most well-intentioned laws have negative impacts. This presentation explores the school laws that have the biggest risk of impacting the mental health and wellbeing of students.

Amanda Marie Bigbee, Keller ISD - Keller, TX
Amy Grosso, Round Rock ISD - Round Rock, TX
2:15 pm

0.75 hr

School District Election Issues

In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2013 decision in Shelby Cnty., Ala. v. Holder invalidating Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, do school districts still need to consider potential liability for violating the voting rights of minority voters? Learn about this and other current election-related topics, from redistricting to recounts.

Debbie Moritz Esterak, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Austin, TX
Leila Sarmecanic, Clear Creek ISD - League City, TX
3:00 pm

0.75 hr ethics

Managing Generational Differences

The mentorship of young attorneys is an ethical obligation of the supervising attorneys and is critical for the retention of good attorneys. Communication, clarity, and leadership/culture sharing are all critical to bridging the generational divide. This is true for law firms that represent school districts, law firms that represent the employees of school districts, and general/in-house counsel for school districts.

Rebecca S. Bradley, Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C. - McKinney, TX
Deron T. Robinson, Denton ISD - Denton, TX
Jim Whitton, Brackett & Ellis, P.C. - Fort Worth, TX
3:45 pm

Adjourn
Austin Only

Networking Reception (in Austin from 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.)

Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, Feb. 18, 2022
Presiding Officer:
Christopher B. Gilbert, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
7:30 am
Austin Only

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:25 am

Morning Announcements
8:30 am

0.50 hr

COVID Update: Litigation

A summary of the results, or at the least current posture, of the ongoing COVID litigation and its potential future implications for school districts, students, and employees. There will also be a focus on procedural lessons for the practitioner gleaned from this fast-paced, high-profile litigation.

Jonathan G. Brush, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX
9:00 am

0.50 hr

COVID Update: Impact of Funding

Discuss the pandemic funding that has been made available to school districts and charter schools and the impact it can have on improving learning loss.

Cory Green, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX
9:30 am

0.50 hr

COVID Update: Employee Issues

What is happening in 2021-22 related to COVID? Hear an update on employment matters, including the intersection of the ADA and FMLA.

Giana Ortiz, The Ortiz Law Firm - Arlington, TX
10:00 am

0.50 hr

COVID Update: Parents and Students

What’s COVID got to do with it? Explore and discuss parent/student grievances, student discipline, and board decisions in the time of COVID.

Heather M. Castillo, Arlington, TX
10:30 am

15-Minute Break
10:45 am

0.75 hr

Online Student Speech and the Impact of the Mahanoy Decision

A school district attorney explores the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court Mahanoy decision in relation to multiple district activities, including school discipline, extracurricular participation and discipline, and in relation to school safety matters. This presentation also reviews new court decisions applying Mahanoy.

Ellen H. Spalding, Karczewski Bradshaw Spalding - Houston, TX
11:30 am

0.75 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Managing Board Meetings in Today’s Political Climate

Communities with divided political views are experiencing unusually high interest in board meeting public comments and other feedback from citizens near and far. School boards now need strategies to give each person a fair opportunity to speak while also dealing with unruly participants. Meanwhile, many school officials have been targeted by threats or verbal attacks—and when things get personal, we attorneys have to keep calm and remember our ethical obligations, too.

Joy S. Baskin, Texas Association of School Boards - Austin, TX
Mia M. Martin, Richardson, TX
12:15 pm
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)

Included in registration.
Friday Afternoon, Feb. 18, 2022
Presiding Officer:
Christopher B. Gilbert, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:45 pm

0.75 hr

Title IX: The First 50 Years

In 1972, Congress enacted Title IX, ushering in a new era of equity in education. Prior to Title IX, just 30,000 women participated in NCAA sports compared to 170,000 men, and women earned less than 10 percent of all law degrees. Two long-time practitioners survey the major events of the last 50 years and discuss anticipated developments, including proposed amendments to Title IX’s regulations.

Lisa A. Brown, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
Jackie Gharapour Wernz, Thompson & Horton LLP - Dallas, TX
1:30 pm

15-Minute Break
1:45 pm

0.75 hr

“Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave”: Commissioner Jurisdiction after Davis, With a Little DOI and Charter Thrown In

Rarely does a school law case make it to the Texas Supreme Court and rarely is the topic so significant. This presentation analyzes Davis v. Morath & Dallas ISD, in which the Texas Supreme Court (perhaps) answered the question of what makes a grievance untimely and whether an untimely grievance deprives the Commissioner of appellate jurisdiction under Texas Education Code §7.057. As a bonus, this presentation also touches upon the Commissioner’s appellate jurisdiction related to districts of innovation and charter schools.

Paul Tapp, Association of Texas Professional Educators - Austin, TX
2:30 pm

0.75 hr ethics

Practicing Law Remotely: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

Drawing on two recent ABA ethics opinions, this presentation explains the ethical pitfalls of practicing law remotely as they apply to school law attorneys and discusses strategies for avoiding them.

John Husted, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX
Francisco J. Valenzuela, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX
3:15 pm

Adjourn

Day 1 February 17, 2022
Day 2 February 18, 2022

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Joy S. Baskin

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Amanda Marie Bigbee

Keller ISD
Keller, TX

Rebecca S. Bradley

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

Lisa A. Brown

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Jonathan G. Brush

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

Heather M. Castillo

Arlington, TX

Debbie Moritz Esterak

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

Cory Green

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Amy Grosso

Round Rock ISD
Round Rock, TX

Shavonne Henderson

Assistant Dean for Equity and Inclusion, The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Elvin Houston

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

John Husted

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

Julie Leahy

Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Ann Manning

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

Mia M. Martin

Richardson, TX

Andrea Mooney

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

Giana Ortiz

The Ortiz Law Firm
Arlington, TX

Denise Nance Pierce

Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP
Austin, TX

Deron T. Robinson

Denton ISD
Denton, TX

Leila Sarmecanic

Clear Creek ISD
League City, TX

Ellen H. Spalding

Karczewski Bradshaw Spalding
Houston, TX

Jason L. Stuart

United Educators Association
Fort Worth, TX

Paul Tapp

Association of Texas Professional Educators
Austin, TX

Mark P. Tilley

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Francisco J. Valenzuela

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

Jackie Gharapour Wernz

Thompson & Horton LLP
Dallas, TX

Jim Whitton

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

Planning Committee

Christopher B. Gilbert—Co-Chair

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Andrea Slater Gulley—Co-Chair

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

Brandon Y. Brim

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

Von Byer

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Valerie Ann Carrillo

Escamilla & Poneck, LLP - Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX

Juan J. Cruz

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Laredo, TX

Bryan P. Dahlberg

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

Wayne D. Haglund

Haglund Law Firm, P.C.
Lufkin, TX

Cory S. Hartsfield

Cory Hartsfield PC
Grapevine, TX

Richard E. Hill

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

Christie L. Hobbs

Northwest ISD
Fort Worth, TX

Elneita Hutchins-Taylor

Houston Independent School District
Houston, TX

Kevin F. Lungwitz

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

Mia M. Martin

Richardson, TX

Leticia D. McGowan

Richardson ISD
Richardson, TX

Mari M. McGowan

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

Amanda Moore

Texas State Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Micki Morris

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

Thomas E. 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

Paul Tapp

Association of Texas Professional Educators
Austin, TX

Paige Williams

Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Austin, TX

MCLE Credit

Texas – 12.00 hrs | 1.75 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 – 12.00 hrs | 1.75 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 – 14.50 hrs | 2.00 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.

Pennsylvania – 12.00 hrs | 1.50 hrs Ethics

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks after credit is claimed and submit. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Other States – 12.00 hrs | 1.75 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.

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 provided to other licensing authorities as needed.

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

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 14.50 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) – 12.00 hrs

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 – 12.00 hrs | 1.75 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 – 12.00 hrs | 1.75 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 – 14.50 hrs | 2.00 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.

Pennsylvania – 12.00 hrs | 1.50 hrs Ethics

To claim Pennsylvania MCLE credit, Pennsylvania 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.

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks after credit is claimed and submitted. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

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

Other States – 12.00 hrs | 1.75 hrs Ethics

Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State

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 – 14.50 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) – 12.00 hrs

Key Dates

Austin – Feb 17-18, 2022 – AT&T Conference Center

Conference Concluded

Live Webcast – Feb 17-18, 2022

Conference Concluded

Buy

Austin
Live Webcast

Individual
Last day for $550.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$600.00 for registrations received after this time

School District Employee
Last day for $475.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$525.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $495.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$545.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $440.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$490.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 11, 2022

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 14, 2022

Individual
Last day for $550.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$600.00 for registrations received after this time

School District Employee
Last day for $475.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$525.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $495.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$545.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $440.00 Regular pricing: Feb 9, 2022

$490.00 for registrations received after this time

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

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

Accommodations

Conference registration is required to book a room within the hotel block. Attendees can find the booking code and instructions in their conference registration confirmation email.

Parking Information

Daily self-parking will be validated for the AT&T Conference Center garage or surrounding UT garages. Please note Dobie is not a UT garage and parking cannot be validated. Separate fees apply for valet and overnight parking.

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

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

At Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C., we deliver what you need most: representation that addresses your problems and provides protection for your interests. For issues that demand expertise in a variety of legal areas, we provide single-source convenience. Most real-life legal problems are not resolved by applying a single legal concept or statute. For an attorney with the breadth and depth of experience and knowledge to handle complex and multi-faceted legal issues, contact us. Our practice includes a wide range of business-related legal services. We use the firm’s deep roots in the community to provide clients with knowledgeable advice about operating a business or educational institution in the region.
www.abernathyroeder.com
Brackett & Ellis, P.C.

Brackett & Ellis is recognized in U.S. News and World Report as a top-tier law firm in Education Law, and as a Top Ranked Law Firm by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review. Brackett & Ellis represents the boards of independent school districts, charter schools, universities, community colleges, education foundations, and private and independent schools in all aspects of school law.

The Firm represents educational entities in both state and federal courts, and before the Texas Commissioner of Education and other state and federal agencies. Its attorneys are frequent presenters at national, state, and regional education conferences, and have served as officers on the Texas Association of School Boards’ Council of School Attorneys, the State Bar of Texas School Law Section, and the Education Law Association Board. Brackett & Ellis is also a full-service law firm that includes trial lawyers experienced in both plaintiffs’ and defendants’ work, as well as lawyers who practice in real estate, business, estate planning, intellectual property, employment, oil and gas, and insurance law.
www.belaw.com
Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt and Kutchin

A leader in school litigation, FHMBK has, for 60 years, been dedicated to its core values of Integrity, Excellence, Commitment and Teamwork. A perennial “Super Lawyer” and an “Impact Player of the Year” for his victory in the “Candy Cane” case, Thomas Brandt leads a group of talented and dedicated lawyers and “Rising Stars” who perform at the highest level. Consistently named a top-tier Best Law Firm by U.S. News and World Report and AV Preeminent by Martingdale-Hubbell, FHMBK has established itself as the “Go To” law firm for handling high-profile and cutting edge litigation. Significant victories include: Morgan v. Swanson (First Amendment and religious liberty); Lance v. LISD (Section 504); Rideau v. KISD (Section 504); and I.F. v. LISD (Title IX). FHMBK is dedicated to the representation of school districts, their officials and employees.
www.fhmbk.com
Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P.

Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. is a law firm that has dedicated itself to the representation of public and private K-12 institutions, as well as junior and community colleges for nearly thirty years. RMG has twelve (12) lawyers with offices located in Houston and Austin. Our lawyers are recognized statewide for their knowledge, experience, and success in representing public school districts and other educational institutions.

The Firm’s attorneys have served as lead counsel in hundreds of state and federal court lawsuits and appeals concerning matters involving employment, civil rights, open government, student issues, special education, general commercial litigation, construction defect litigation, real estate, procurement, and matters of governmental immunity. The Firm’s attorneys also provide day-to-day consulting and training to its clients in all areas of school law.
www.rmgllp.com
The Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

This year, the Underwood Law Firm celebrates its 110th year in practice. We are a full-service law firm committed to timeless values and standards that will continue to be the benchmark by which we measure our success: integrity in all things, service to our community, and a keen responsibility to our clients and colleagues. Underwood’s Education Law Practice Group represents numerous education institutions, including school districts, charter schools, colleges, and education service centers, and we recognize the unique responsibilities and expectations faced daily by our education clients. With offices in Amarillo, Fort Worth, Lubbock and Pampa, our attorneys work with education institutions throughout the State and possess a wealth of knowledge regarding the legal issues unique to education law. We are honored to serve and provide efficient counsel to our education clients.
www.uwlaw.com
Thompson & Horton LLP

At Thompson & Horton, we strive to be partners with our clients. We specialize in providing the highest quality personalized legal service to educational entities, local governments, and private individuals and companies. Our attorneys have unique qualifications based on several hundred years of combined experience and have been closely involved with some of the most important legal and policy developments affecting our clients over the past 40 years. We are knowledgeable, passionate, candid, and responsive. At Thompson & Horton, it’s not just business – it’s personal.
www.thompsonhorton.com
Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C.

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C. is a law firm representing the interests of schools in Texas and New Mexico. Founded in 1983, Walsh Gallegos has seven offices and serves hundreds of school districts, charter school and private school clients. We believe that public education makes a difference. That belief, and the desire to work toward making a difference in our communities, is why we are here today.
walshgallegos.com

37th Annual

School Law Conference

Austin Feb 17-18, 2022 AT&T Conference Center Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Feb 17-18, 2022 Conference Concluded

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Overview

Event Schedule

Thursday Morning, Feb. 17, 2022

Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 17, 2022

Friday Morning, Feb. 18, 2022

Friday Afternoon, Feb. 18, 2022

Conference Faculty

Joy S. Baskin

Amanda Marie Bigbee

Rebecca S. Bradley

Lisa A. Brown

Jonathan G. Brush

Heather M. Castillo

Debbie Moritz Esterak

Cory Green

Amy Grosso

Shavonne Henderson

Elvin Houston

John Husted

Julie Leahy

Ann Manning

Mia M. Martin

Andrea Mooney

Giana Ortiz

Denise Nance Pierce

Deron T. Robinson

Leila Sarmecanic

Ellen H. Spalding

Jason L. Stuart

Paul Tapp

Mark P. Tilley

Francisco J. Valenzuela

Jackie Gharapour Wernz

Jim Whitton

Planning Committee

Christopher B. Gilbert—Co-Chair

Andrea Slater Gulley—Co-Chair

Brandon Y. Brim

Von Byer

Valerie Ann Carrillo

Juan J. Cruz

Bryan P. Dahlberg

Wayne D. Haglund

Cory S. Hartsfield

Richard E. Hill

Christie L. Hobbs

Elneita Hutchins-Taylor

Kevin F. Lungwitz

Mia M. Martin

Leticia D. McGowan

Mari M. McGowan

Amanda Moore

Micki Morris

Thomas E. Myers

Laura O'Leary

Giana Ortiz

Cory Rush

Heather R. Rutland

S. Anthony Safi

Marney Collins Sims

Fred A. Stormer III

Leslie R. Story

Paul Tapp

Paige Williams

Credit Info

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

Key Dates

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

Accommodations

Parking Information

37^th Annual

Austin Feb 17-18, 2022 AT&T Conference Center
Conference Concluded

Live Webcast Feb 17-18, 2022
Conference Concluded