Virtual Law Day Set for June 2

By Frank JohnsonDeputy City Attorney, City of Gaithersburg The Section will be holding the annual Law Institute on June 2, and will host the event virtually. While we hope in future years to resume in-person events, especially for the Law Institute, the Section Council also recognizes that a virtual event does offer a measure ofContinue reading “Virtual Law Day Set for June 2”

Welcome to a New Year With Our Section!

By Amanda ConnGeneral CounselWSSC Water Happy spring to all the members of the State and Local Government Law section. For those of us that worry about winter weather that affects our government clients, it was an easy winter. I want to encourage our Section members to consider serving on the Section Council. Each year, weContinue reading “Welcome to a New Year With Our Section!”

Open Meetings Act Forum Tentatively Set For February 6

By Frank JohnsonDeputy City Attorney, City of Gaithersburg The Section will sponsor a virtual Open Meetings Act lunch forum, to include Assistant Attorney General Rochelle Simpson, who advises the Open Meetings Compliance Board, Section Chair Amanda Conn, who teaches about the Open Meetings Act at George Mason Law School, and Frank Johnson, who has beenContinue reading “Open Meetings Act Forum Tentatively Set For February 6”

Spring Institute topics range from appellate to policing

By Frank JohnsonDeputy City Attorney, City of Gaithersburg The Section held its annual training in June and, given ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, it was virtual. There was first a panel discussion on the Supreme Court’s 2022 term, including participation from Amanda Karras, who is the director of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, andContinue reading “Spring Institute topics range from appellate to policing”

Message from the Chair

By Amanda ConnGeneral counsel, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission The Section Council is excited to announce our virtual State and Local Government Institute tomorrow (Friday, June 17th). We considered an in-person event, but faced challenges in finding a space that is large enough for members to spread out while trying to provide a hybrid option forContinue reading “Message from the Chair”

“Lunch and Learn” Discusses Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Mandates

By Frank JohnsonDeputy City Attorney, City of Gaithersburg At the Section’s latest “lunch and learn” session on February 25, Michael Foreman, Law Professor and Director of the Civil Rights Appellate Clinic at Pennsylvania State University School of Law, spoke about religious exemptions from vaccine mandates. He pointed out that, while vaccinations can be required, an employerContinue reading ““Lunch and Learn” Discusses Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Mandates”

Virtual Law Institute to Address Police Reform, PIA

By Frank JohnsonDeputy City Attorney, City of Gaithersburg The Section will be holding the annual Law Institute in late May. The Section Council has decided this event will be virtual, and topics are expected to include a summary of the General Assembly police reform efforts from last year, as well as Public Information Act changes, asContinue reading “Virtual Law Institute to Address Police Reform, PIA”

Message from the Chair

By Amanda ConnGeneral counsel, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission The Section Council committees have continued working on upcoming programs for our members, reviewing bills during the Maryland General Assembly session identified by the MSBA as having particular impact on local and state government, and, importantly, exploring ways to have more of our members involved in theContinue reading “Message from the Chair”

Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Mandates Topic of “Lunch and Learn”

By Frank JohnsonDeputy City Attorney, City of Gaithersburg Put a hold on your calendar: The Section will sponsor a program on February 25 at 12 p.m. concerning religious exemptions from mandatory vaccine requirements. This is a topic that, with the pandemic, many of us are now having to address, so we are pleased to present MichaelContinue reading “Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Mandates Topic of “Lunch and Learn””

State and Local Government Law Institute planned for May 2022

By Frank JohnsonDeputy City Attorney, City of Gaithersburg The annual Law Institute will be this spring, in late May.  Whether it is in-person or, as last year, virtual, the State and Local Government Section is planning to focus on the major recent changes to police regulation, training, use-of-force, and investigations. There will also be a reviewContinue reading “State and Local Government Law Institute planned for May 2022”