40^th 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

RECEPTION SPONSORS
Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C.
Brackett & Ellis, P.C.
Brim & Brim, P.C.
Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
JCA LAW, PLLC
Leon Alcala, PLLC
Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P.
Thompson & Horton LLP
Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & Roalson P.C.

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. Topics will include:

Commissioner Decisions Update
Complying with Safety and Security Personnel Requirements in Texas Public Schools
Update on Conflicts of Interest
Cellphone Bans in Schools
When Lawyers Make the News: It’s Not About You. It’s About Your Client.
Artificial Intelligence as a Core Competency: An Ethics Lens
Cyber Attacks and Data Breaches
School Vouchers in Texas?
Drawing the Lines: School Nurse Authority
When Employees Go Viral

Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE hours for the year.

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
Presiding Officer:
Leslie R. Story, Texas Association of School Boards - Austin, 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

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

Paige Duggins-Clay, Intercultural Development Research Association - Austin, TX
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
Presiding Officer:
Debbie Moritz Esterak, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Austin, TX
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

Accommodating Anxiety, Stress and Related Conditions in Today’s Classroom Environment

School district employees are presenting increased cases of anxiety, depression and stress-related conditions. Hear a school district general counsel and teacher association attorney present their perspective on how to navigate the intersection of mental health in the context of reasonable accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

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., JCA LAW, PLLC - 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
Presiding Officer:
Bryan P. Dahlberg, Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP - San Antonio, TX
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

Artificial Intelligence as a Core Competency: An Ethics Lens

Identify the ethical issues raised under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. In further exploring the practical use cases for AI products, platforms, and machine learning technology within an underdeveloped security regime, this presentation will alert practitioners to common pitfalls relating to clients communications, confidentiality, and fees within the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI usage.

Wesley L. Nute, Jr., Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C. - Plano, TX
11:15 am

0.50 hr

Attorney’s Fees in Special Education Litigation

If a school loses a special education due process hearing, the parent’s attorney’s fees can potentially cost a school more than $100,000 in federal court. Look at parent’s entitlement to attorney’s fees, methods to reduce the fee amount, and the availability of attorney’s fees to schools that prevail.

Christopher Schulz, Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP - Austin, TX
11:45 am

0.75 hr

Obligations in Tension: The Challenges and Considerations When a Teacher is Harmed by a Student

Focus on the district’s obligations to their students and teachers when a special needs student causes harm to a teacher. Through a series of scenarios, explore both what is required and best practices to keep districts in compliance while also respecting the needs and safety concerns of teachers.

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
Presiding Officer:
Cory Rush, Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois - Houston, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
1:00 pm

0.50 hr

School Vouchers in Texas?

Review the current bills being considered by the 89^th 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

Paige Duggins-Clay

Intercultural Development Research Association
Austin, 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.

JCA LAW, PLLC
Laredo, TX

Christopher Schulz

Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP
Austin, 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

JCA LAW, PLLC
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

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

AT&T Conference Center

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

Accommodations

The room block at the AT&T Conference Center has been exhausted.

Nearby accommodations include:

The Otis Hotel, Autograph Collection
Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District
Hampton Inn and Suites Austin at The University/Capitol
The DoubleTree Austin - University Area
Moxy Austin - University

Or visit: Hotels for Hope to search for a hotel

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.

Our Sponsors

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

Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C.

Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C.
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
Brim & Brim, P.C.

Brim & Brim, P.C.
Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.

Founded in 1987, Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C. provides quality, comprehensive legal representation to Texas school districts. By collaborating with educators and focusing on the complete needs of our clients, our attorneys serve hundreds of districts in the state. Eichelbaum Wardell makes law for public school districts, and we have done so consistently with cases where we have represented schools all the way to the United States Supreme Court.
www.edlaw.com
JCA LAW, PLLC

J. Cruz & Associates, LLC was established as one of South Texas’s premier school law and governmental entity defense firms. We remain at the forefront of innovation, applying novel ideas and approaches to our clients’ legal issues. We excel in the areas of civil litigation, employment, public finance, construction, transactional, and real estate legal matters. Our firm vows to provide every client the most professional, efficient, and effective legal counsel while maintaining a reputation that is genuine, trustworthy, and hardworking.
www.jca-law.com
Leon Alcala, PLLC

Leon Alcala, PLLC
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 three decades. RMG has fourteen (14) 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
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 Kyle Robinson & Roalson P.C.

Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & Roalson, 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

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

Event Schedule

Wednesday Morning, Feb. 12, 2025

Wednesday Afternoon, Feb. 12, 2025

Thursday Morning, Feb. 13, 2025

Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 13, 2025

Conference Faculty

Thomas P. Brandt

Jefferson K. Brim III

David J. Campbell

DeDe Church

Allyson Collins

Charles J. Crawford

Dennis P. Duffy

Paige Duggins-Clay

Stacy C. Ferguson

Hans P. Graff

Stephanie A. Hamm

Lucas Henry

Elvin Houston

John Husted

Jeff Kelly

Julie Leahy

Leticia D. McGowan

Micki Morris

Wesley L. Nute, Jr.

Mario G. Perez Jr.

Christopher Schulz

Marney Collins Sims

Mark P. Tilley

Jacob Woolston

Planning Committee

Cory Rush—Co-Chair

Leslie R. Story—Co-Chair

Brandon Y. Brim

Valerie Ann Carrillo

Juan J. Cruz

Bryan P. Dahlberg

Debbie Moritz Esterak

Judson Clayton Gibson

Christopher B. Gilbert

Hans P. Graff

Andrea Slater Gulley

Wayne D. Haglund

Richard E. Hill

Christie L. Hobbs

Kevin F. Lungwitz

Leticia D. McGowan

Laura O'Leary

Giana Ortiz

Heather R. Rutland

S. Anthony Safi

Marney Collins Sims

Fred A. Stormer III

Portia Talley

Paige Williams

Catosha L. Woods

Key Dates

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

Accommodations

Parking Information

Additional Information

Our Sponsors

Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C.

Brim & Brim, P.C.

Leon Alcala, PLLC

Stay in the loop with UT Law CLE

40^th Annual

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