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Conference art

40th Annual

School Law Conference

Austin Feb 12-13, 2025 AT&T Conference Center

$725 Individual  |  $825 after Jan 29

$655 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum)  |  $755 after Jan 29

$580 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum)  |  $680 after Jan 29

$525 School District Employee

Live Webcast Feb 12-13, 2025

$825 Individual

$745 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum)

$660 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum)

$525 School District Employee

$100 Add-on rate for in-person registrants

Register
Related products: Materials

Overview

UT Law CLE’s 40th 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.

  • Register now

Event Schedule

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

  • Day 1 February 12, 2025
  • Day 2 February 13, 2025
  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Wednesday Morning, Feb. 12, 2025
  • 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
    Cellphone Bans in Schools
    Examine the call for cellphone bans in schools, challenges faced and the impact on the school environment. 

    Leticia D. McGowan, Richardson ISD - Richardson, TX

  • 9:45 am
    0.50 hr
    What We've Learned re: Bullying

  • 10:15 am
    15-Minute Break

  • 10:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Voting Rights Act Litigation: The Basics and Big Changes 
    No two Voting Rights Act lawsuits are alike. Each case requires unique analysis of the community subject to the suit. A few landmark cases in 2023 and 2024 added to this complexity. Cover the basics of Section 2 claims under the Voting Rights Act, and explain changes in the law as a result of Petteway and other recent decisions.

    Charles J. Crawford, Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C. - McKinney, TX
    Lucas Henry, Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C. - McKinney, TX

  • 11:15 am
    0.75 hr
    A Well-Informed Electorate: Best Practices for Avoiding Electioneering and Voting Rights Complaints
    A discussion of recent electioneering and Voting Rights Act litigation, including a review of various legal issues that school district officials must navigate when speaking with their communities about school funding, budget shortfalls, and other matters of public concern.

    Stephanie A. Hamm, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX

  • 12:00 pm
    Austin Only
    Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)
    Included in registration.

  • Wednesday Afternoon, Feb. 12, 2025
  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:30 pm
    0.50 hr
    Cyber Attacks and Data Breaches
    Cyber threat actors are increasingly targeting school districts. Review mandatory data breach notification laws as well as common cyber insurance policy provisions that require due diligence and prompt action by school officials.

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

  • 1:00 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 1:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    Anxiously Awaiting Accommodations Topic

    Julie Leahy, Texas Classroom Teachers Association - Austin, TX
    Jacob Woolston, Pflugerville ISD - Pflugerville, TX

  • 2:00 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    When Employees Go Viral
    Dive into the challenges faced when employees become the subject of viral attention—whether caused by the district, an employee, or external actors. Explore when, who, and how to take action, and what legal implications have been established as a result of such events.

    Jefferson K. Brim III, Brim & Brim, P.C. - Austin, TX
    Mario G. Perez Jr., J. Cruz & Associates, LLC - Laredo, TX

  • 2:45 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 3:00 pm
    1.00 hr ethics
    Update on Conflicts of Interest
    An overview and analysis of the rules, case law and ethics opinions regarding conflicts of interest rules including simultaneous representation of potentially adverse clients, positional conflicts, conflicts involving the lawyer’s personal interest, imputed disqualification, conflicts involving insurance, conflicts regarding former or prospective clients, and conflicts arising from pre-retention contacts.

    Dennis P. Duffy, Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC - Houston, TX

  • 4:00 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    When Lawyers Make the News: It’s Not About You. It’s About Your Client.
    With the guidance provided by the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer’s Creed, and existing ethics opinions, this presentation focuses on ethical considerations lawyers often face when handling cases that make the news and will offer practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls that arise when your case makes the spotlight. Consider lessons learned from stories and examples of lawyers who themselves made headlines and faced legal trouble for ethical lapses in the scope of client representation.

    Thomas P. Brandt, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX
    John Husted, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX

  • 4:45 pm
    Adjourn


  • Austin Only
    Networking Reception (in Austin from 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.)
    Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Thursday Morning, Feb. 13, 2025
  • 7:30 am
    Austin Only
    Conference Room Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:30 am
    2.00 hrs
    Complying with Safety and Security Personnel Requirements in Texas Public Schools
    Address the legal requirements for safety and security personnel, ways that school districts can achieve compliance through school marshal or guardian plans, through contracting with outside law enforcement agencies, or by creating their own police departments. Discuss the different legal and practical considerations for each strategy, including entity and individual liabilities for those involved. 

    Allyson Collins, Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois - Austin, TX
    Hans P. Graff, Leon Alcala, PLLC - Houston, TX
    Marney Collins Sims, Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District - Houston, TX

  • 10:30 am
    15-Minute Break

  • 10:45 am
    0.50 hr ethics
    AI Topic

    Wesley L. Nute, Jr., Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C. - Plano, TX

  • 11:15 am
    0.50 hr
    Special Education: Attorney's Fees

    Christopher Schulz, Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP - San Antonio, TX

  • 11:45 am
    0.75 hr
    Special Education: Topic #2 (student disability rights/level of violence at schools)

    Elvin Houston, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Kyle & Robinson, P.C. - San Antonio, TX
    Jeff Kelly, Association of Texas Professional Educators - Austin, TX

  • 12:30 pm
    Austin Only
    Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)
    Included in registration.

  • Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 13, 2025
  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 1:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    School Vouchers in Texas?
    Review the current bills being considered by the 89th Legislature and speculate about whether they will become law.

    David J. Campbell, O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, PC - Austin, TX

  • 1:30 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 1:45 pm
    0.50 hr
    Drawing the Lines: School Nurse Authority
    The school nurse in the state of Texas has autonomy and responsibilities that stem from a myriad of laws, regulations and policies that arise outside of the education law setting, but that necessarily must overlap and interact with education laws and policies. Explore information of which the school law attorney should be aware when advising client school districts regarding their expectations regarding what the school nurse can, should and must do as well as where the lines are drawn between oversight and overstepping.  

    Stacy C. Ferguson, Escamilla & Poneck, LLP - San Antonio, TX

  • 2:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.50 hr ethics
    Interacting and Dealing with Difficult People: Ethically Working with All Kinds of Others
    The Texas Lawyer's Creed reminds us of our oath to "disagree without being disagreeable." But today's polarizing culture ensures we will have to interact with coworkers, leaders, and volunteers who can make it very hard to remain civil. In this enlightening and entertaining session, we'll discuss how to navigate difficult conversations respectfully, manage our own impulses toward being difficult, and actively model civility to ensure that we are in compliance with our legal and professional duties toward all.

    DeDe Church, DeDe Church & Associates, LLC - Austin, TX

  • 3:00 pm
    Adjourn

  • Day 1 February 12, 2025
  • Day 2 February 13, 2025
Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Thomas P. Brandt

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

Jefferson K. Brim III

Brim & Brim, P.C.
Austin, TX

David J. Campbell

O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, PC
Austin, TX

DeDe Church

DeDe Church & Associates, LLC
Austin, TX

Allyson Collins

Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois
Austin, TX

Charles J. Crawford

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

Dennis P. Duffy

Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC
Houston, TX

Stacy C. Ferguson

Escamilla & Poneck, LLP
San Antonio, TX

Hans P. Graff

Leon Alcala, PLLC
Houston, TX

Stephanie A. Hamm

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Lucas Henry

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

Elvin Houston

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

John Husted

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

Jeff Kelly

Association of Texas Professional Educators
Austin, TX

Julie Leahy

Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Leticia D. McGowan

Richardson ISD
Richardson, TX

Micki Morris

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

Wesley L. Nute, Jr.

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

Mario G. Perez Jr.

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Laredo, TX

Christopher Schulz

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

Marney Collins Sims

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
Houston, TX

Mark P. Tilley

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Jacob Woolston

Pflugerville ISD
Pflugerville, TX

Planning Committee

Cory Rush—Co-Chair

Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois
Houston, TX

Leslie R. Story—Co-Chair

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Brandon Y. Brim

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

Valerie Ann Carrillo

Escamilla & Poneck, LLP
San Antonio, TX

Juan J. Cruz

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Laredo, TX

Bryan P. Dahlberg

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

Debbie Moritz Esterak

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

Judson Clayton Gibson

Association of Texas Professional Educators
Austin, TX

Christopher B. Gilbert

Thompson & Horton LLP
Houston, TX

Hans P. Graff

Leon Alcala, PLLC
Houston, TX

Andrea Slater Gulley

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

Wayne D. Haglund

Haglund Law Firm, P.C.
Lufkin, TX

Richard E. Hill

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

Christie L. Hobbs

Northwest ISD
Fort Worth, TX

Kevin F. Lungwitz

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

Leticia D. McGowan

Richardson ISD
Richardson, TX

Laura O'Leary

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

Giana Ortiz

The Ortiz Law Firm
Arlington, 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

Portia Talley

Texas State Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Paige Williams

Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Catosha L. Woods

Houston Independent School District
Houston, TX

Key Dates

Austin – Feb 12-13, 2025 – AT&T Conference Center
Live Webcast – Feb 12-13, 2025
Register now
  • Austin
  • Live Webcast
Individual
Last day for $725.00 Regular pricing: Jan 29, 2025

$825.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $655.00 Regular pricing: Jan 29, 2025

$755.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $580.00 Regular pricing: Jan 29, 2025

$680.00 for registrations received after this time

School District Employee
Last day for $525.00 Regular pricing: Jan 29, 2025

$525.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 7, 2025

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 10, 2025
Individual
Last day for $825.00 Regular pricing: Jan 29, 2025

$825.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $745.00 Regular pricing: Jan 29, 2025

$745.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $660.00 Regular pricing: Jan 29, 2025

$660.00 for registrations received after this time

School District Employee
Add-on
Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 7, 2025

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 10, 2025

Venue

speaker

AT&T Conference Center

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

Accommodations

We’ve arranged a room block at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center for our event attendees. Once registration opens and you complete your registration, you'll receive the hotel code in your confirmation email. This code gives you access to the discounted rate, subject to room availability.

Parking Information

Parking is available in the conference center's attached garage, as well as Rowling Hall Garage. Both garage entrances are located on W 20th St. Guests may self-park or use the hotel's valet services at the University Avenue entrance. Parking rates are subject to change without notice. 

Self-parking fees: 

Hourly Parking:
0-30 minutes, $3
31-60 minutes, $4
1– 2 hours, $6
2– 3 hours, $9
3– 4 hours, $12
4– 5 hours, $15
5– 8 hours, $18
8– 24 hours, $21
Lost ticket, $42

Valet Parking Rates:
Daily valet: $21
Overnight valet: $38

Additional Information

The conference will take place in Zlotnik Ballroom in Rowling Hall, the new addition of the AT&T Conference Center. If you self-park in the AT&T Conference Center Garage, please take the conference center elevators to level “M1” and follow signs to Zlotnik Ballroom. If you park in Rowling Hall Garage, please take the elevators to level “B4” Zlotnik Ballroom.

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