Seminar Program
APTA Program and Schedules are subject to change.
| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
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Location: Grand Ballroom (First Floor) Sponsored By Thompson Coburn LLP |
Location: Grand Ballroom (First Floor) |
2026031518:0020:00 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031607:3008:30 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031614:0014:15 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031516:3017:00 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031612:3013:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031512:3013:00 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031707:3008:30 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031509:0016:00 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031608:0015:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031611:1511:45 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031615:1515:30 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031710:1510:30 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM EST
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Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Mezzanine Foyer (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031515:4516:00 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
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Major and Mega Event Coordination, Crisis Management and Emergency Response
Panelists will review legal issues and discuss best practices in crisis management, law enforcement engagement, safety, security, planning and coordination for major events, threats, and incidents.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Laura Kilgarriff, Kaplan Kirsch LLP Panelist: Janice Farkas, Chief of Staff, Office of the SVP, Chief of Police, Director of Intelligence, Intelligence Unit, NJ Transit Police Department Panelist: Andrew Henning, Senior Counsel, Metra Panelist: Scott Sroka, Special Counsel, Phillips Lytle LLP Panelist: D. Samuel Dotson, Vice President and Chief of Police, AMTRAK Police DepartmentLocation: Rittenhouse (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Rittenhouse (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031613:0014:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM EST
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Rail Law Update
Experts will discuss best practices and legal strategies as well as recent legal developments in rail law, including mergers, corridor identification program, contracting out operations, and international investment in passenger rail operations.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Allison Ishihara Fultz, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch LLP Panelist: Ayelet Hirschkorn, Esq., Partner, Kaplan Kirsch Rockwell Panelist: Grant Glovin, Associate, Kaplan Kirsch LLPLocation: Rittenhouse (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Rittenhouse (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031614:1515:15 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM EST
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Ethics and Professionalism
Ethics practitioners will address attorneys’ ethical and professional obligations, client relationship challenges, and guidance under the Model Rules, including the use of artificial intelligence, and discuss civility and courtesy in practice.
Speaker(s): Speaker: Fred Wagner, Principal Environmental Advisor, Jacobs Speaker: Gretchen Wisehart, Deputy General Counsel - Corporate, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Speaker: Taria Barron, General Counsel, American Public Transportation AssociationLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031708:4510:15 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EST
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Local Ballot Measures
Transit ballot measures continue to grow as a source of revenue complementing other funding sources supporting transit investment. This panel will discuss the legal matters and experiences of recent transit campaigns and measures and examine their impacts on public transportation projects and funding. These practitioners will provide a wealth of knowledge and lessons-learned transferable to other jurisdictions.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Shayna van Hoften, Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLP Panelist: Jessica Grennan, Executive Director, APTA's Center For Transportation Excellence Panelist: Molly O'Shaughnessy, President and CEO, EMC Research Panelist: John Putnam, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch LLP Panelist: Jonathan Gaul, Deputy Division Chief, Department of Law, City of AtlantaLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031609:0010:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM EST
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Government Affairs Update
A panel of legislative experts will provide a focused update on current transportation initiatives, legislative actions, and regulatory developments affecting public transit law and policy at all levels of government.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Taria Barron, General Counsel, American Public Transportation Association Speaker: Mark Hybner, Director, Government Affairs and Advocacy, American Public Transportation Association Panelist: Pamela Sarne-McCormick, Director of Legislative and Community Affairs, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031514:4515:45 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM EST
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Impacts of Tariffs on Public Transit
Legal experts will discuss procurement and contracting challenges related to tariffs including impacts on purchases, contract modifications, change orders, credits, refunds and discuss best practices and lessons learned.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Taria Barron, General Counsel, American Public Transportation Association Panelist: Lucy Andre, Chief Executive Officer, Stadler Signalling North America Panelist: Raymond Pascual, Attorney, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Panelist: Patrick Caddick, Associate General Counsel, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern NevadaLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031616:1517:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM EST
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Labor Disputes, Workforce Transitions, and Section 13 (c) Issues
This session will address dispute resolution under Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans, collective bargaining trends, workforce transition issues, and recent litigation challenging DOL 13 (c) Certifications concerning a Florida statute on dues checkoff and, yet again, a California statute on pension reform.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Jane Sutter-Starke, Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP Panelist: William Moseley, Immediate Past Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Principal, Jackson Lewis Panelist: Thomas Stuebner, Assistant Deputy Executive Director, Administration, Metra Panelist: David Wilkins, Assistant Attorney General-Director of Transit Section, Office of the Utah Attorney General/Utah Transit AuthorityLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031610:0011:15 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST
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Developments in Transportation Litigation
This panel will review recent topics, trends and significant cases in transportation litigation, and will highlight and discuss key impacts and implications for practitioners.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Ayelet Hirschkorn, Esq., Partner, Kaplan Kirsch Rockwell Panelist: Brenda J, Oliver, Principal, Jackson Lewis Panelist: Fred Wagner, Principal Environmental Advisor, Jacobs Panelist: Paul Lawrence, Senior Litigation Partner, Pacifica Law GroupLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031617:0018:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM EST
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NEPA Updates: A Year of Momentous Change
The past year has witnessed the most important changes to the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) since its passage in 1970. This panel will review all these developments, from the judicial, executive, and the legislative branches of government. You will get behind the scenes background into the Supreme Court’s Seven County Infrastructure Coalition ruling, helpful guidance to updated NEPA regulations, and insights into potential legislative action as Congress considers further NEPA and project permitting reform. Leaders from the Federal Transit Administration will guide attendees through agency procedural changes and efficiency tools intended to result in more effective NEPA reviews for project development.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Fred Wagner, Principal Environmental Advisor, JacobsLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031614:1515:15 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM EST
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Welcome Remarks
Speaker(s): Welcome: Jonathan Hunt, Esq., Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Interim General Manager/CEO, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Welcome: Shayna van Hoften, Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLPLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031513:0013:30 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
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Procurement Panel
Experts will discuss procurement and contracting challenges, including the use of artificial intelligence, acquisitions, purchases, contract modifications, change orders, tariffs (e.g. credits, refunds), Buy America Act requirements, FTA Third Party Contracting circular updates, and examine procurement policies and compliance strategies for ensuring project delivery.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Taria Barron, General Counsel, American Public Transportation Association Panelist: Lucy Andre, Chief Executive Officer, Stadler Signalling North America Panelist: Raymond Pascual, Attorney, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Panelist: Patrick Caddick, Associate General Counsel, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern NevadaLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031613:0014:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM EST
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New Developments in Civil Rights Law
Panelists will examine recent changes in civil rights laws including executive orders, regulatory actions, contract and grant requirements impacting transportation.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Vince Malone, Chief of Staff and Administration, WeGo Public Transit Panelist: Subash Iyer, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch LLP Panelist: Angela Berry-Roberson, Esq, Principal Advisor/CEO, ABR Advisory Consultants, LLC Panelist: Michael Bryant, Director, Civil Rights Division, Texas Department of TransportationLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031615:3016:15 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST
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Closing Remarks
Speaker(s): Closing Remarks: Jonathan Hunt, Esq., Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Interim General Manager/CEO, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Closing Remarks: Taria Barron, General Counsel, American Public Transportation AssociationLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031711:3012:00 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM EST
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Chair’s Remarks
Speaker(s): Remarks: Jonathan Hunt, Esq., Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Interim General Manager/CEO, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit AuthorityLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031708:3008:45 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM EST
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Roundtable
An open forum for transit counsels to discuss key legal issues and developments in public transportation. Topics may include artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, grants, funding, certifications, tariffs, procurements, public safety, security, law enforcement, fare evasion, claims fraud, regulatory actions, executive orders, and litigation. This session is closed to federal government officials, labor, and manufacturers.
Speaker(s): Moderator: William Moseley, Immediate Past Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Principal, Jackson Lewis Panelist: Desmond Brown, General Counsel, Sound Transit Panelist: Cleveland Ferguson, EVP/CAO, Jacksonville Transportation Authority Speaker: Janet Burney, General Counsel/Deputy General Manager, Legal Affairs, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit AuthorityLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031513:3014:45 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM EST
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Legal Updates and Perspectives from USDOT Leadership
Senior DOT legal officials will share current updates, insights and discuss key policies, initiatives, priorities, and perspectives in public transportation.
Speaker(s): Speaker: Kyle Fields, Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration Speaker: Matthew Cahill, Chief Counsel, Federal Transit AdministrationLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031608:3009:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST
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Legal Affairs Committee Meeting
Speaker(s): Facilitator: Jonathan Hunt, Esq., Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Interim General Manager/CEO, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit AuthorityLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031516:0016:30 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM EST
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Modernizing Legal Operations and Collaborative Partnerships
Legal professionals will discuss best practices for enhancing operational efficiency, managing costs, the application of artificial intelligence, building collaboration, maintaining partnerships, and supporting strategic objectives within legal departments.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Jonathan Hunt, Esq., Chair, APTA Legal Affairs Committee; and Interim General Manager/CEO, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Panelist: Forrest Graham, Attorney, WSP USA Panelist: Andrew Henning, Senior Counsel, Metra Panelist: David Wilkins, Assistant Attorney General-Director of Transit Section, Office of the Utah Attorney General/Utah Transit Authority Panelist: Aimee Steele, Assistant General Counsel, AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District)Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031710:3011:30 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM EST
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Lunch with Keynote Leslie Richards
Speaker(s): Keynote Speaker: Leslie Richards, Professor of Practice, City & Regional Planning, Weitzman School of Design; and Founder and Director, University of PennsylvaniaLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) Sponsored By Kaplan Kirsch LLP |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031611:4512:30 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 |
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST
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DOT Alumni Perspectives
Former DOT, FHWA, FTA, and FRA Counsels will share leadership insights and discuss current policy and legal issues and offer practical advice for legal professionals in the transportation sector.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Subash Iyer, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch LLP Panelist: Allison Ishihara Fultz, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch LLP Panelist: John Putnam, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch LLP Panelist: Fred Wagner, Principal Environmental Advisor, JacobsLocation: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Juniper Ballroom (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031517:0018:00 000 | SUN, MAR 15 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
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New and Emerging Technologies: Public Records, Discovery, and Records Retention
Panelists will discuss new and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and what it means for advising your agency as it relates to public records request, litigation discovery, and records retention.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Erik Van Hagen, Director, Legal Services, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon Panelist: Catherine Groves, Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLP Panelist: David Casarrubias-Gonzalez, Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLPLocation: Logan (Mezzanine Level) |
Location: Logan (Mezzanine Level) |
2026031613:0014:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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