Nuts & Bolts of Local Government Law 2026

  • In-person seminar
  • Webcast seminar
Up to 3.5 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
Nuts & Bolts of Local Government Law 2026

Co-produced with the Administrative and Local Government Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin

New to government practice? Start here.

Representing a local government isn't quite the same as representing a private client. There are open meetings requirements, public records obligations, public contracts, and unique ethical considerations attorneys may not encounter anywhere else.

8:30 am
Public Records & Open Meetings Primer

Peter J. Block, Kail J. Decker, Paul M. Ferguson

  • Introduction to Wisconsin’s Public Records & Open Meetings Laws
  • Record Requests
  • Meetings that must be held in an open forum, and when groups cand go into closed sessions
9:30 am
Contracting as a Local Government

Brian E. Running

  • Contract drafting fundamentals
  • Practical contract drafting pointers
  • Unique nature of local government contracts
10:30 am
Break
10:45 am
Who’s the Client Anyway? Navigating the Ethical Realities of Representing Public Entities

Thomas D. Cameron

  • Confidentiality issues
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • The entity as the client
  • How to ethically interact with the public
  • How to work with elected officials
  • What happens when an elected official behaves badly?
12:00 pm
Program Concludes
Peter J. Block
Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office · Milwaukee
Thomas Cameron
Attolles D. Law, s.c. · Milwaukee
Kail J. Decker
City of West Allis Attorney's Office · West Allis
Paul M. Ferguson
Wisconsin Department of Justice · Madison
Brian E. Running
City of Waukesha · Waukesha

  • Better advise public entities on public records requests and open meetings compliance
  • Understand the unique legal and practical considerations involved in government contracting
  • Navigate confidentiality, conflicts, and other ethical issues that arise when representing public entities
  • Gain greater confidence when working with elected officials, government employees, and members of the public
  • Government lawyers
  • Administrative law practitioners
  • Municipal attorneys
  • Attorneys interested in governmental legal work

Book Bonus!

Wisconsin Governmental Claims and Immunities Handbook

Save 25% on the Wisconsin Governmental Claims and Immunities Handbook.* This practical resource examines the statutes, case law, and legal principles governing claims involving governmental entities and public officials.

Use discount code CA4023 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound® editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

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