2026 Fall Conference

The OCAA & OSB 2026 Government Law Review will be held on September 11, 2026,

at the Oregon State Bar Center in Tigard, Or.

16037 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard, OR 97224 p.(503) 620-0222

Registration is available online!

Agenda

1.      First Amendment Considerations for Public Employees

In this presentation, Barran Liebman Managing Partner Andrew Schpak will provide an overview of First Amendment protections for public employees and discuss best practices for limiting legal liability while balancing employee rights with policies that foster a safe, respectful, and productive work environment.

• Overview of the First Amendment and the ways in which it applies to public employees.

• Consideration of the degree of protection that comes with the speech being made outside of work hours and/or on social media.

• Strategies for performance management and policy application to mitigate risk of First Amendment Claims.

Andrew Schpak, Barran Liebman

2.       Drafting and Maintaining Up-to-Date Utility and Telecommunications Franchises and Rights-of-Way Regulations

Franchise agreements are a longstanding tool for Oregon cities to manage use of their rights-of-way by utilities and telecommunications providers, but changes in the law and technology require continual review and updating of these agreements and rights-of-way management more generally. This session will review best practices for drafting and reviewing franchise agreements and rights-of-way regulations, including: 

• An overview of significant legal issues impacting franchises, including recent FCC actions.

• Practical tips for drafting utility and telecommunications franchises and regulations.

• Common pitfalls and ways to avoid them.

Nancy Werner, Bradley Werner

3.       Public Records Update & Best Practices

            This session will provide attendees with:

• Summary of recent case law developments.

• Advice on applying common exemptions.

• Practical advice on how to process complex requests.

Trevor Byrd, Portland City Attorney Office

4.       The Government Lawyer’s Role in a Times of Crisis

The role of the government attorney is critical in a time of crisis.  From ransomware attacks, budget cuts, investigations of elected officials, new federal government requirements, elections and recalls, government attorneys have their hands full.  In this presentation, we will

• Examine typical events that may occur that you, as a government attorney, will have an integral role to play.

• The boundaries of your legal representation.

Brad Anderson, Brad E. Anderson Law Office LLC

5.       Emerging Technologies in Law Enforcement (ALPRs, Drones, Body Cameras and AI)

This presentation examines the rapidly evolving technologies shaping modern law enforcement, including the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), drones, body-worn cameras, and artificial intelligence. Presenters will explore the legal, evidentiary, privacy, and ethical issues associated with these tools, along with emerging case law and best practices for their use by local law enforcement personnel.

• Discussing practical considerations for developing agency policies, preserving digital evidence, and addressing transparency, public records, and discovery obligations related to emerging law enforcement technologies.

• Reviewing legal and ethical considerations surrounding the deployment of drones, ALPRs, and other remote sensing technologies in law enforcement operations.

McKenzie Granum, City of Woodburn

Ellen Van Riper, City of Gresham

Helen Toloza, City of Gresham

6.       The Public Contracting Playbook: Procurement Basics Every Government Attorney Needs to Know

Public procurement in Oregon is governed by a complex web of statutory requirements, administrative rules and shifting legislative landscape. This presentation will provide Oregon attorneys with an in-depth roadmap to navigating the public procurement and contracting process. This session will equip Oregon attorneys with actionable strategies to ensure regulatory compliance and successfully manage procurement risks. Attendees will:

• Master the essential elements of the Oregon Public Contracting Code (ORS Chapters 279A, 279B, and 279C)

• Analyze critical distinctions in procurement types and personal services contracting

• Evaluate alternative project delivery methods for infrastructure contracts.

• The session will also address mandatory state and federal contract clauses and highlight critical new legislative updates for construction-related contracting.

Ashleigh Dougill, Beery Elsner & Hammond

Esin Onart, Beery Elsner & Hammond

CLE materials will be available to OCAAmembers on the Conference page as they become available. If you are not an OCAA member but have registered for this conference, please contact Meghyn Fahndrich at mfahndrich@orcities.org and the materials available will be provided to you via email.

Please note: Most materials will not become available until closer to the conference date.

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel reservations at the Courtyard by Marriott Portland Tigard can be made online, or by calling the hotel directly at 503-684-7900. The hotel is a 2-minute drive or 11-minute walk from the Oregon State Bar Center.

Rates: $159.00 (+ 13% Tax) per night.

Reservation Cut-off Date - The last day to get the special group rate is August 28, 2026.