COSA Seminars and Webinars

Our school law seminars and webinars offer invaluable professional development opportunities and CLE credit for school lawyers. These programs are presented by school law practitioners for school law practitioners and target your professional needs.

School Law Seminars

School Law Seminars are held twice a year in the spring and fall. The spring School Law Seminar is held in conjunction with NSBA’s Annual Conference and draws hundreds of school attorneys from across North America. In the fall, the School Law Practice Seminar dives deep into complex, practice-related issues. Participants can earn 11-plus hours of CLE credit at each seminar. Filing CLE credit and assuring approval in your state is an integral part of our seminar program.

School Law Webinars

COSA presents webinars on topics of critical interest to public school districts and their legal counsel. COSA members receive deep discounts for these online opportunities. Pay just one low fee -- a great value for your training dollar.

Webinar CLE Information

COSA generally applies for Continuing Legal Education in the following states: AL, AR, GA, IL, MS, MO, NC, TN, OK, VT and WI. We also apply in states where attorney participants are not able to self-apply for credit. These states include KS, OH, SC* and TX. COSA will apply to additional states according to those represented on the webinar registration list 45 days prior to the webinar date.

To ensure CLE application review in your state, attorneys must register at least 45 days in advance. If the attorney registers less than 45 days before the webinar, he or she may seek CLE credit as follows:(1) attorney may self-apply to their state and pay application and any additional fees for application review, OR (2) attorney sends notice to COSA of his/her interest in seeking CLE credit in their state(s), agrees to have COSA apply late for their state, and agrees to pay application AND late fees incurred by COSA for the application submission.

*Applications are impacted by the availability of materials from presenter(s)

Contact COSA_Registration@nsba.org or call 703-838-6722 for more information.

Upcoming Webinars

Wednesday, January 22, 2020: Special Education Bundle

Special Education Law Since Endrew F. and Fry:  Tremendous Transformation or Tempest in a Teapot?

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. (Eastern) 

It has been more than 2 years since the Supreme Court ruled on two significant cases involving special education, Endrew F. and Fry.  Some said that the  Endrew F. ruling would dramatically expand the rights of special-education students, creating a nationwide standard for special education, and empowering parents as they advocate for their children in schools. Others, however,  said  the decision would  not have any impact on schools, arguing that the vast majority already provide a good education for those children. Similarly, those interpreting the impact of Fry predicted that students and their parents would rush to court instead of, or in addition to, pursuing an IDEA due process claim,  resulting in a vast increase in federal lawsuits. Rather than just initiating IDEA due process procedures,  it was predicted that attorneys representing students would use a simple strategic pleading strategy (i.e. tacking on a request for monetary damages in a complaint) to commence a federal lawsuit at the same time IDEA due process was initiated and forcing school districts to be in the position of defending in two separate forums on the same issue, based on a technical distinction of potential relief.

In reality, how have the courts and hearing officers interpreted these rulings? Has special education really changed in the manner some predicted or have other issues arisen, such as IDEA cases being combined with Title IX or Title VI claims? Join Thompson and Horton attorneys Chris Borreca (Partner, Houston) and Jessica Witte (Associate, Austin) for an in–depth look at these issues as they explore the true impact of these important special education cases as well as other current issues being examined by courts today.

Presenters:  Chris Borreca and Jessica Witte, Thompson & Horton LLP

Taking Care of Our Own:  Curbing Bullying and Supporting Special Education Students

2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Eastern)

Children with disabilities who have special needs are more likely to be bullied by their peers.  This research-based legal update provides practical tips for prevention, identification, and management of student bullying.  Gain insights regarding the interplay of 504 and ADA specific to bullying, and strategies for implementing training programs.  This presentation will focus on recent case law related to bullying, including cyber-bullying, and will leave you with practical tips for advising your school district clients in this developing area.

Presenter:  Marcy Gutierrez, Lozano Smith, Sacramento, CA

Register now!

Purchase one webinar at regular price or purchase both and save 20%!