2026 School Law eConference

Commissioner Decisions Update (Apr 2026)

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

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

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

Update from the 89th Legislature (Apr 2026)

Hear the latest information on major updates to the Texas Education Code and related regulations. Focus on some of the most significant changes that have not made the headlines.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Danny Stockton, North Texas Education Coalition - Melissa, TX

HB6: Chapter 37 Update (Apr 2026)

A review of 2025 legislative updates affecting student discipline and removal.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Jennifer Gordon, Association of Texas Professional Educators - Austin, TX
Amir Roohi, Houston Independent School District - Houston, TX

The READER Act and SB13: Affecting Library Materials (Apr 2026)

The Reader Act created a framework for evaluating and adopting library materials. Vendor rating of books was found unconstitutional, but portions of the statute remained. With the passage of SB13, school districts must now navigate overlapping, but distinct definitions of “sexually explicit,” “sexually relevant,” and recently defined “harmful material” as they navigate the review and selection of books for school libraries.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Hans P. Graff, Leon | Alcala, PLLC - Houston, TX

Practical Tips for Submitting a Public Information Act Ruling Request (Apr 2026)

Take an in depth look at the requirements of section 552.301 of the Government Code. Look at common pitfalls when submitting a ruling request and representative samples. Review some hypotheticals to help get your ruling request right. 

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Tamara Smith, Office of the Attorney General - Austin, TX

Education Savings Accounts: Understanding School Choice in Texas (Apr 2026)

Provide background on the passage of the bill, the status of the administrative code rules, and considerations for school district trustees and leaders as the school choice legislation is implemented.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

David D. Anderson, Strive Public Policy Resources, LLC - Austin, TX

Family Law Issues in Public Schools (Apr 2026)

Explore the various family law issues that arise in the public school setting, including parental rights, custody disputes, and student rights.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Valerie Ann Carrillo, Escamilla & Poneck, LLP - San Antonio, TX

Section 504 Parental Rights (Apr 2026)

Provide an overview of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, with a focus on the procedural and substantive rights of parents and the legal obligations of schools to ensure nondiscrimination and equitable access to education.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Olivia Lee, Disability Rights Texas - Austin, TX

Community Colleges Update: New Laws, Guidance, and More (Apr 2026)

An overview of recent legislative changes (including those affecting dual credit programs), new agency guidance, and notable cases affecting community colleges.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Kyle Stone, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX

TEA Special Investigations (Apr 2026)

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Rebecca S. Bradley, Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C. - McKinney, TX
Rebecca Clevlen, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX

Avoiding Difficult Clients (Apr 2026)

Lawyers are faced with many ethical challenges both in representing, and in deciding whether to represent, all kinds of people and entities. Identify what lawyers need to know to hopefully prevent, or if necessary disengage from, inappropriate representations involving difficult clients.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

William J. Chriss, The Snapka Law Firm - Corpus Christi, TX

AI Without the OMG! A School Lawyer’s Guide to Ethical and Responsible AI Use (Apr 2026)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies can bring efficiency, insight, and the occasional existential crisis—but they also introduce ethical risks for lawyers and school law practitioners. Explore how the legal profession can shape ethical frameworks that keep us out of trouble (and out of the headlines). Through emerging trends, professional responsibility rules, and real-world “please-don’t-let-this-happen-to-you” scenarios, look at emerging technologies and how to use them as well as break down the legal and ethical obligations surrounding AI and offer practical tools for staying compliant, accountable, and somehow still fully human.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Kelley Kalchthaler, Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & De Los Santos P.C. - Austin, TX

Pick a Title, Any Title: Update on Title VI and Title IX (Apr 2026)

Federal law, including Title VI and Title IX, are in flux. Address current court and agency interpretations of Title VI and Title IX and the requirements of investigations, thereunder, as well as the impact of executive orders.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

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

Understanding the Grievance Process: Best Practices for School Attorneys (Apr 2026)

Provide school attorneys with a comprehensive overview of the legal framework governing employee, public, parent, and student grievances under Texas law and district policy.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Heather M. Castillo, Law Office of Heather McClellan Castillo - Arlington, TX
Juan J. Cruz, JCA LAW, PLLC - Laredo, TX

SB12: Affecting Nurses and Counselors (Apr 2026)

Discuss the intersection of SB12 and licensing standards for K-12 school nurses and counselors. Is this really a tight rope with no safety net?

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Sarah Flournoy, Brackett & Ellis, P.C. - Fort Worth, TX

Navigating Employee Free Speech in Today’s Schools: Legal and Ethical Challenges (Apr 2026)

Advising on employee free speech in schools has never been more complex. Discuss practical strategies and ethical considerations for navigating today’s polarized environment.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Morgan Beam, Thompson & Horton LLP - Houston, TX
Carrie Galatas, Attorney at Law - The Woodlands, TX
Karl Tiger Hanner, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX

Dancing in the Dark: Employment Actions When Access to Evidence is Limited (Apr 2026)

How can attorneys represent and advise their clients when they don't have the relevant evidence? Explore practical and ethical challenges with school district obligations to make quick reports to TEA before investigations are done, and employee-side hurdles in defending educators in district investigations and certification actions with the agency. 

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Jefferson K. Brim III, Brim & Brim, P.C. - Austin, TX
Christie L. Hobbs, Northwest ISD - Fort Worth, TX

Educating Vulnerable Children (Apr 2026)

An examination of a school district’s obligations to at-risk students.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Myra Scott Chickering, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX

Now I know my THC's and CBD's: Where Legal Weed Meets School Policy (Apr 2026)

When it comes to teacher discipline and cannabis use, the law can get a little “hazy.” Explore the complex intersection between evolving cannabis laws and educator conduct standards, examining how schools can navigate teacher discipline, off-duty marijuana use, and the growing confusion around CBD products in states where cannabis is legal.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Divya Advani, Irving Independent School District - Irving, TX
Lisa Pittman, Pittman Legal - Austin, TX

Maintaining Your Ethics in Trying Times: One Lawyer’s Tale (Apr 2026)

Lawyers know that hard cases make bad law. Likewise, maintaining your professional ethics in a difficult situation is very different than day-to-day practice. Hear ethical perspectives and lessons learned from serving as a local elected official and a defendant in lengthy litigation while still practicing as a lawyer.

Originally presented: Feb 2026 School Law Conference

Leah Stewart, Reed, Claymon, Meeker, Krienke & Spurck, PLLC - Austin, TX