39^th Annual

School Law Conference

Austin Feb 15-16, 2024 AT&T Conference Center
$625 Individual | $725 after Jan 31

$565 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $665 after Jan 31

$500 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $600 after Jan 31

$525 School District Employee

Live Webcast Feb 15-16, 2024
$625 Individual | $725 after Jan 31

$565 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $665 after Jan 31

$500 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $600 after Jan 31

$525 School District Employee

Register

Related products: eConference Materials

RECEPTION SPONSORS
Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Hullett, P.C.
Brackett & Ellis, P.C.
Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Escamilla & Poneck, LLP
Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C.
J. Cruz & Associates, LLC
Thompson & Horton LLP
Walsh Gallegos Treviño Kyle & Robinson, P.C.

Overview

UT Law CLE’s 39th 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 15, 2024
Day 2 February 16, 2024

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, Feb. 15, 2024
Presiding Officer:
Giana Ortiz, The Ortiz Law Firm - Arlington, 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

Title IX Update: Here We Go Again

The latest developments in Title IX regulations, caselaw, and best practices for K-12 and higher ed.

Allen M. Keller, Schulman, Lopez Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP - San Antonio, TX
9:45 am

0.75 hr

Legislative Update

After a regular legislative session and multiple special sessions, hear the latest information on major updates to the Texas Education Code and related regulations.

Danny Stockton, Plano ISD - Plano, TX
10:30 am

15-Minute Break
10:45 am

0.50 hr

Student Issues: Vaping

Examining the impact of recent Texas legislation on student disciplinary actions related to vaping, this presentation offers legal professionals an in-depth look into the evolving landscape of student rights, school policies, and the implications for future legal proceedings.

D'Ann Bey, Lewisville ISD - Lewisville, TX
Ben Castillo, O'Hanlon, Demerath and Castillo - Pharr, TX
11:15 am

0.75 hr

TEA Certification Sanctions

The report, the flag, the investigation, and the hearing.

Moderator:
Karl Tiger Hanner, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Daniel Berumen, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX
Tina Farrell, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX
Sarah C. Wolfe, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX
12:00 pm

0.50 hr

To Search or Not to Search, that is the question! Student and Personnel Issues: Fourth Amendment Update

Review recent relevant case law regarding Fourth Amendment issues.

Erica Graham, Houston ISD - Houston, TX
12:30 pm
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)

Included in registration.
Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 15, 2024
Presiding Officer:
Giana Ortiz, The Ortiz Law Firm - Arlington, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
1:00 pm

0.50 hr

Safety and Texas Schools: Their Future Depends on What We Do Today

An overview of the Office of School Safety and Security, the work being done by the Office, and Texas Education Agency's role in school safety.

John Scott, Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX
1:30 pm

15-Minute Break
1:45 pm

1.00 hr

School Safety in a New World

Discuss recent legislative changes impacting school safety, implementation, and lessons learned to date, and hear practical advice and suggestions as school districts work to comply fully with the legislation and cooperate with multiple involved agencies and their respective guidance.

Ken Culbreath, Region 4 ESC - Houston, TX
Ellen H. Spalding, Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois - Houston, TX
Coby Wilbanks, Fort Bend ISD - Sugar Land, TX
2:45 pm

1.00 hr ethics

Ted Lasso and Lawyer Ethics

What can a fictional soccer coach, goldfish, and biscuits teach us about attorney ethics? Lace up your cleats and find out.

Christie L. Hobbs, Northwest ISD - Fort Worth, TX
3:45 pm

Adjourn
Austin Only

Networking Reception (in Austin from 3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

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

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, Feb. 16, 2024
Presiding Officer:
Cory Rush, Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois - Houston, TX
7:30 am
Austin Only

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:30 am

0.50 hr

Elections: Do’s and Don’ts

Discuss relevant restrictions for entities holding elections and strategies that may be employed to successfully navigate these restrictions.

Ben Morse, Leon Alcala, PLLC - Austin, TX
9:00 am

0.75 hr

Student/Parent Lawyer: Top 10 Things to Know

Tips and best practices from the student and parent attorney perspective.

Luke Williams, Barnett Howard & Williams PLLC - Fort Worth, TX
9:45 am

0.75 hr

House Bill 3 and Its Impact on Students with Disabilities

Discuss the new security requirements under House Bill 3 and the potential disproportionate impact on students with disabilities. Focus on proactive steps for school staff to include parents in discipline procedures and strategies to avoid police involvement in classroom management.

Olivia Lee, Disability Rights Texas - Austin, TX
Colleen Potts, Disability Rights Texas - Lubbock, TX
10:30 am

15-Minute Break
10:45 am

0.50 hr

New Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Employees

Within the last year, two new federal laws have gone into effect enhancing the rights and protections of pregnant and parenting employees. Hear an overview of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations, and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act) which expands employees’ rights to express milk at work.

Amber King, Thompson & Horton LLP - Austin, TX
11:15 am

0.50 hr

School District Personnel Records: PIA Exceptions to Disclosure

A review of the types of information that can and cannot be withheld from disclosure in school district employment records under the Texas Public Information Act.

Leah Wingerson, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Kyle & Robinson, P.C. - Irving, TX
11:45 am

0.50 hr

Employment Case Law Update

Review the Fifth Circuit’s en banc opinion in Hamilton v. Dallas County and the effect Hamilton is already having in employment cases involving school districts. Also, discuss other recent employment cases of relevance to schools and their personnel.

Thomas P. Brandt, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX
12:15 pm
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)

Included in registration.
Friday Afternoon, Feb. 16, 2024
Presiding Officer:
Cory Rush, Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois - Houston, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:45 pm

0.50 hr

Reading from the Same Page: Recent Updates to Dyslexia Services and the Dyslexia Handbook

A review of recent changes to the law governing the education of students with dyslexia and implications for Texas school districts.

Myra S. Chickering, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. - Houston, TX
1:15 pm

15-Minute Break
1:30 pm

0.75 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Artificial Intelligence in Schools: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Legal and practical issues with ChatGPT and other forms of AI in the classroom.

Wesley L. Nute, Jr., Eichelbaum, Wardell, Hansen, Powell & Muñoz, P.C. - Plano, TX
2:15 pm

0.50 hr ethics

Social Media, Ethics, and TMI: Why you won't be ROFL

Refresher on maintaining client confidences and other rules of professional conduct in a world influenced by social media.

Priscilla de Mata, Ysleta ISD - El Paso, TX
2:45 pm

1.00 hr
0.75 hr ethics

Representation of School Boards and Administrators in Challenging Times

Explore the ethical and practical challenges faced by school lawyers when school boards and their communities are divided due to ideological, political, social, and interpersonal conflicts. Examine the fundamental ethical issues of duty, loyalty, and confidentiality. Hear practical advice about staying above the fray and offering clients high quality service during times of discord.

Joy S. Baskin, Texas Association of School Boards - Austin, TX
Cory S. Hartsfield, Cory Hartsfield PC - Grapevine, TX
Jarod Russell, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. - Amarillo, TX
Jim Walsh, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Kyle & Robinson, P.C. - Austin, TX
3:45 pm

Adjourn

Day 1 February 15, 2024
Day 2 February 16, 2024

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Joy S. Baskin

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Daniel Berumen

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

D'Ann Bey

Lewisville ISD
Lewisville, TX

Thomas P. Brandt

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

Ben Castillo

O'Hanlon, Demerath and Castillo
Pharr, TX

Myra S. Chickering

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

Ken Culbreath

Region 4 ESC
Houston, TX

Priscilla de Mata

Ysleta ISD
El Paso, TX

Tina Farrell

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Erica Graham

Houston ISD
Houston, TX

Karl Tiger Hanner

Attorney at Law
Austin, TX

Cory S. Hartsfield

Cory Hartsfield PC
Grapevine, TX

Christie L. Hobbs

Northwest ISD
Fort Worth, TX

Allen M. Keller

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

Amber King

Thompson & Horton LLP
Austin, TX

Olivia Lee

Disability Rights Texas
Austin, TX

Ben Morse

Leon Alcala, PLLC
Austin, TX

Wesley L. Nute, Jr.

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

Colleen Potts

Disability Rights Texas
Lubbock, TX

Jarod Russell

Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Amarillo, TX

John Scott

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Ellen H. Spalding

Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois
Houston, TX

Danny Stockton

Plano ISD
Plano, TX

Mark P. Tilley

Texas Association of School Boards
Austin, TX

Jim Walsh

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

Coby Wilbanks

Fort Bend ISD
Sugar Land, TX

Luke Williams

Barnett Howard & Williams PLLC
Fort Worth, TX

Leah Wingerson

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

Sarah C. Wolfe

Texas Education Agency
Austin, TX

Planning Committee

Giana Ortiz—Co-Chair

The Ortiz Law Firm
Arlington, TX

Cory Rush—Co-Chair

Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois
Houston, TX

Brandon Y. Brim

Brim, Robinett & 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

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

Trevor Hall

Powell Law Group, LLP.
Austin, 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

Kevin F. Lungwitz

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

Stephanie Maher

South Texas College of Law Houston
Houston, TX

Leticia D. McGowan

Richardson ISD
Richardson, TX

Amanda Moore

Texas State Teachers Association
Austin, TX

Thomas E. Myers

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

Laura O'Leary

Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt and Kutchin
Dallas, TX

Heather R. Rutland

Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, PC
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

Catosha L. Woods

Houston Independent School District
Houston, TX

Key Dates

Austin – Feb 15-16, 2024 – AT&T Conference Center

Live Webcast – Feb 15-16, 2024

Austin
Live Webcast

Individual
Last day for $625.00 Regular pricing: Jan 31, 2024

$725.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $565.00 Regular pricing: Jan 31, 2024

$665.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $500.00 Regular pricing: Jan 31, 2024

$600.00 for registrations received after this time

School District Employee
Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 9, 2024

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 12, 2024

Individual
Last day for $625.00 Regular pricing: Jan 31, 2024

$725.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $565.00 Regular pricing: Jan 31, 2024

$665.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $500.00 Regular pricing: Jan 31, 2024

$600.00 for registrations received after this time

School District Employee
Last day for cancellation (full refund): Feb 9, 2024

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Feb 12, 2024

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

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

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
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
Escamilla & Poneck, LLP

Escamilla & Poneck, LLP is a full-service, minority-owned law firm representing clients in both the public and private sectors. Our firm’s practice includes six different office locations and clients from throughout the states of Texas and Louisiana as well as businesses and individuals via our Mexico City affiliate.

Our firm strives to represent its clients with the highest degree of integrity and discretion while providing efficient and effective legal services to clients as varied as governmental entities, private corporations, non-profit organizations, and private individuals.

Whether your legal needs involve general civil practice, litigation, public finance, governmental relations, school law, construction, or employment law from an employer’s perspective, the ethical and reliable legal advice you seek can be found at Escamilla & Poneck, LLP.
www.escamillaponeck.com
Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C.

A leader in school litigation, FHMBK has, for more than 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 Martindale-Hubbell, FHMBK has established itself as the “Go To” law firm for handling high-profile and cutting edge litigation. Significant victories benefitting school districts and their personnel include: Morgan v. Swanson (First Amendment and religious liberty); Lance v. LISD (Section 504); Rideau v. KISD (Section 504); I.F. v. LISD (Title IX); Edwards v. MISD (employment discrimination claim), and Carswell v. Camp (strengthening qualified immunity protections). At FHMBK we are dedicated to the representation of school districts, their officials, and their employees.
www.fhmbk.com
J. Cruz & Associates, LLC

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
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 Kyle & Robinson, P.C.

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Kyle & Robinson, 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

39th Annual

School Law Conference

Austin Feb 15-16, 2024 AT&T Conference Center $625 Individual | $725 after Jan 31 $565 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $665 after Jan 31 $500 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $600 after Jan 31 $525 School District Employee

Live Webcast Feb 15-16, 2024 $625 Individual | $725 after Jan 31 $565 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $665 after Jan 31 $500 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $600 after Jan 31 $525 School District Employee

Register

Related products: eConference Materials

Overview

Event Schedule

Thursday Morning, Feb. 15, 2024

Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 15, 2024

Friday Morning, Feb. 16, 2024

Friday Afternoon, Feb. 16, 2024

Conference Faculty

Joy S. Baskin

Daniel Berumen

D'Ann Bey

Thomas P. Brandt

Ben Castillo

Myra S. Chickering

Ken Culbreath

Priscilla de Mata

Tina Farrell

Erica Graham

Karl Tiger Hanner

Cory S. Hartsfield

Christie L. Hobbs

Allen M. Keller

Amber King

Olivia Lee

Ben Morse

Wesley L. Nute, Jr.

Colleen Potts

Jarod Russell

John Scott

Ellen H. Spalding

Danny Stockton

Mark P. Tilley

Jim Walsh

Coby Wilbanks

Luke Williams

Leah Wingerson

Sarah C. Wolfe

Planning Committee

Giana Ortiz—Co-Chair

Cory Rush—Co-Chair

Brandon Y. Brim

Von Byer

Juan J. Cruz

Bryan P. Dahlberg

Debbie Moritz Esterak

Judson Clayton Gibson

Christopher B. Gilbert

Hans P. Graff

Andrea Slater Gulley

Wayne D. Haglund

Trevor Hall

Cory S. Hartsfield

Richard E. Hill

Christie L. Hobbs

Kevin F. Lungwitz

Stephanie Maher

Leticia D. McGowan

Amanda Moore

Thomas E. Myers

Laura O'Leary

Heather R. Rutland

S. Anthony Safi

Marney Collins Sims

Fred A. Stormer III

Leslie R. Story

Paige Williams

Catosha L. Woods

Key Dates

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

Our Sponsors

Sign-Up for Our Hooked on CLE Monthly Newsletter

39^th Annual

Austin Feb 15-16, 2024 AT&T Conference Center
$625 Individual | $725 after Jan 31

$565 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $665 after Jan 31

$500 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $600 after Jan 31

$525 School District Employee

Live Webcast Feb 15-16, 2024
$625 Individual | $725 after Jan 31

$565 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $665 after Jan 31

$500 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $600 after Jan 31

$525 School District Employee