Executive Assistants Legal Workshop

Home | Tuesday, May 6

 

 

Wednesday, May 7

7:45 – 8:15 a.m.

Continental Breakfast
Alpine B

8:15 – 9:30 a.m.

Trustees Misbehaving and What Executive Assistants Can Do to Help
Join us for an exploration of the challenges posed by misbehaving trustees.  This session will delve into recent case studies, legal implications, and the impact on accreditation, governance, and student success.  Attendees will gain practical strategies for addressing misconduct, fostering accountability, and enhancing board effectiveness.  Don’t miss this chance to uphold the highest ethical standards for our institutions.
Alpine B
Presenter: Eileen O’Hare-Anderson, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

 

9:30 – 9:45 a.m.

Stretch Break
Alpine B

 

9:45  – 11:00 a.m.

Who’s in Control? A Parliamentary Procedure Parable for Professionals in Five Parts
In this workshop, we will follow the story of Paula, an Executive Assistant for the Perspicacious Community College District, as she applies her patented powers of parliamentary procedure to prevent a perturbed patron of the District from leading her Board down a perplexing path toward impropriety.
Monument Peak
Presenter: David Robinett, Senior Counsel, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

 

9:45 – 11:00 a.m.

Navigating Administrative Determination Appeals Under Title 5 – Process, Compliance, and Board Review
This session provides a guide to the Title 5 administrative determination appeal process, including timelines, how appeals are considered by the district governing board and what records are included in the appeal process.  We will discuss the Title 5 investigation process leading to an administrative determination, focusing on how to avoid procedural defects that may be grounds for an appeal.  The session will also cover Brown Act compliance for the Board consideration of an administrative determination appeal.  Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of district and board responsibilities and compliance obligations in Title 5 administrative determination appeals.
Emigrant Peak
Presenter: Pilar Morin, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

 

11:05 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

EA Idea Exchange/Solution Seeking Opportunity
All attendees have the opportunity to engage in conversations on timely issues and pressing matters to glean best practice ideas from others.  This networking time provides an opportunity to build beneficial connections with colleagues around the State.
Alpine B

Open Table Discussions:

  • Transitioning from BoardDocs
  •  Planning Annual Retreats (for governing boards or staff members)
  • Creating a Board and/or New Leader Orientation
  • Encouraging Student Attendance & Engagement in Governance Meetings
  • Managing Document Storage
  • Addressing Any Issue – Open Topic

12:20 – 1:40 p.m.

Lunch & Group Photo at 1:35 p.m.
Lunch Sponsored by Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR)
Alpine A

 

1:50 – 3:05 p.m.

Emergencies on Campus:  Ensuring Safety & Compliance
This workshop will provide essential knowledge to support campus emergency planning, response, and legal compliance.  Participants will gain an understanding of legal obligations under various federal and state statutes including the Education Code, Clery Act, and Cal/OSHA regulations.  The session will cover emergency public meeting rules under the Brown Act.  Attendees will also learn about the District’s crime reporting, security protocols, and emergency preparedness requirements, along with best practices for campus safety and crime prevention.  We address FERPA guidelines for emergency disclosures, ensuring a balance between student privacy and campus security during an emergency.  We will also discuss the role of public employees as Disaster Service Workers under California’s Government Code.
Monument Peak
Presenter: Pilar Morin, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

 

1:50– 3:05 p.m.

Get Your Questions Answered About Academic Senates and Employee Unions
Community Colleges utilize “shared governance” wherein the responsibility for institutional decisions is shared among constituencies that will be affected by the decision.  Two significant constituent groups are the Academic Senate and the various employee unions.  Learn the purpose of these groups, their general rights and sphere of influence, and how administration interacts with them.
Emigrant Peak
Presenters:
Barbara Ginsberg, Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
DeAnna Solina, Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

 

3:10 – 3:25 p.m.

Break
Alpine B

 

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Realities, Myths, and Tips Regarding Brown Act Requirements & Compliance
The Ralph M. Brown Act and its seemingly constant revisions present regular and sometimes unique challenges for those responsible for everything from agenda preparation to conduct at the meetings.  In this presentation, attorney Mark Bresee will bring his three decades of experience advising on Brown Act issues, and litigating Brown Act lawsuits, to provide practical advice and answer questions regarding what the Brown Act requires, and what it does not require.
Alpine B
Presenter: Mark Bresee, Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

 

4:50 – 5:00 p.m.

Future Events & Concluding Remarks
Alpine B
Presenters:
Dr. Jane Wright, Senior Director, Policies/Procedures & E.A. Professional Devel., Community College League of California
Agnes Lupa, Senior Executive Assistant, Community College League of California
Sadie Brown, Program Manager, Community College League of CaliforniaThur, May 8, 2025