The following timeline is tentative; session times, descriptions, and titles may change as the program is finalized. Additional speakers will be added as they are confirmed.

Back to Legal & Regulatory Conference Agenda

Wednesday, October 23

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Networking Continental Breakfast
Take this opportunity to make more connections so you can keep the conversation going after the conference at this final, informal breakfast.

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

  • How States Are Addressing Climate Change 
    Regardless of how you feel about the climate change debate, real change is occurring in state legislatures across the country. Learn about the measures multiple state legislatures have taken to integrate clean energy resources into their generation mix through renewable energy standards, emissions credit programs, and emissions goals and caps. Explore the impact on public power and see how other utilities like yours are preparing to meet state mandates and protect their communities.

    Craig N. Johnson, Deputy General Counsel, Platte River Power Authority, Fort Collins, Colorado
     
  • Crisis Communications: The Court of Public Opinion
    From sexual misconduct and data breaches to billing errors and environmental events, controversies today are tried first in the Court of Public Opinion, preceded by social media. These reputational crises can tarnish your brand and public opinion can frame legal bargaining and settlement negotiations. Learn what law school didn’t teach you about managing the public response to a crisis that puts your utility in the hot seat.

    Bruce Hennes, CEO, Hennes Communications, Cleveland, Ohio

9:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Break

9:45 - 10:45 a.m. 
General Session

Politics at the Water Cooler: What’s NSFW?
Join us for a lively discussion about the basic dos and don’ts for how to handle politics in the workplace. Can you give your employees time off to vote? What about a ride to the polls? And how can you communicate about policy goals, host candidate forums, or endorse a candidate — all without getting in trouble? Find the answers now, as election fever starts to pick up steam. 

William A. Powers, Partner, Nossaman LLP, Washington, D.C.

10:45 - 11 a.m.
Break

11 a.m. - Noon
Ethics Session

One-Client Lawyers: Avoiding the Consigliere Dilemma
Increasingly, lawyers are employed or engaged exclusively by a single client, through an in-house legal department, a legislative or government post, a judicial or quasi-judicial position, or otherwise. Explore how lawyers whose career and income are entirely dependent on a single client are impacted by Rules of Professional Conduct around impartiality, objectivity, and professional independence for lawyers. Discuss a range of challenges from conflict of interest to multijurisdictional practice and withdrawal from judgment.

Lisa D. Hardie, Attorney, and Arden J. Olson, Shareholder, Harrang Long Gary Rudnick, P.C., Portland, Oregon

Noon
Adjourn