December 3-5, 2025
Sacramento | SAFE CREDIT UNION Convention center

Pre-Conference Presentations

Current (and Future) Brown Act Issues Facing Boards

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Room: Ballroom A10-11

Boards continue to face challenges from the ever-changing requirements of the Brown Act and the expectations for public access set during the pandemic. This workshop will focus on lessons learned in 2025 and preview changes coming to boards in 2026.

Presenters:
William Tunick, Shareholder – Dannis Woliver Kelley
Jonathan Pearl, Shareholder – Dannis Woliver Kelley

AB 218 Claims: The Liability & Financial Realities

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Room: Ballroom A10-11

Assembly Bill No. 218 eliminated the statute of limitations and claim filing requirements for previously time-barred lawsuits alleging childhood sexual assault. The result has been a wave of lawsuits against school districts and other entities stemming from alleged abuse that occurred decades ago. This presentation will examine the impact of AB 218 suits on school districts as well as the inherent difficulties of defending these dated claims. We will also review recent case law and practical strategies for defending AB 218 claims and will explore financing options for school districts to help fund AB 218 verdicts and settlements.

Presenters:
Sue Ann Salmon Evans, Shareholder – Dannis Woliver Kelley
Keith Yeomans, Shareholder – Dannis Woliver Kelley

CSBA Conference Presentations

Collective Bargaining — Coping with the Scope of Representation and the Duty to Bargain in Good Faith — Chief Negotiators Tell All

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 3:40 PM – 4:45 PM
Room: Ballroom B1

Two foundational pillars of negotiations are (1) the duty to bargain in good faith and (2) “lawful limits” on negotiability (the scope of representation). Yet, when a board and its chief negotiators push back to limit negotiability, their commitment to good faith is often questioned and challenged. As more and more technology, social and instructional issues make their way to the table— AI, cell phones, student behavior, parental rights, ethnic studies and safety, the tension between the great pillars intensifies. Panelists and attorneys Dannis, Pearl and Nakamura have negotiated hundreds of agreements. They will first lay out the applicable law, then identify the tension between the great pillars, and then offer practical strategies for board members and their bargaining teams to address cutting edge issues ever mindful of the best interests of students.

Presenters:
Marie Nakamura – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley
Jonathan Pearl – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley
Gregory Dannis – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Reporting Gifts and Other Sources of Income: Form 700 Guidance and Reporting Under the Political Reform Act

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:05 AM
Room: Ballroom A9

Every elected official who makes governmental decisions, including school board and county office of education members, is required to submit Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests. The completion of a Form 700 will require public officials to disclose information to the public about their personal financial interests including the receipt of gifts. Learn from experienced legal practitioners what constitutes a reportable “gift.”

Presenters:
William Tunick – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley
Lynn Beekman – Partner, F3 Law
Katherine Meola – Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Dana Scott – Associate General Counsel, CSBA

Inter-District Transfer Appeals

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:05 AM
Room: Ballroom B9

Inter-district attendance laws and procedures will be reviewed and discussed in the context of inter-district transfer appeals. The focus is on governance relationships between county boards and district boards, exploring best practices and offering guidance on how to navigate this process with transparency, shared responsibility, and a student-centered approach

Presenters:
Pamela Townsend – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley
Matt P. Juhl-Darlington – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

What To Know About Vacancies Before You Need To

 Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 10:45 AM – 11:50 AM
Room: Ballroom B6-7

Filling a board vacancy can feel rushed, confusing, and high-stakes. With tight timelines and significant budget implications, districts must quickly decide whether to appoint or hold an election. This workshop will outline the legal requirements and feature first-hand insights from staff and a newly appointed trustee. Walk away with practical strategies and the confidence to navigate board vacancies effectively and transparently.

Presenters:
William Tunick – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley
Jessica Hull – Executive Director, Communication and Community, Roseville City SD
Cami Walker – Board Member, Roseville City SD
Reyes Gauna – Superintendent, Patterson Joint USD

Current Legal Issues Facing Governing Boards: Guidance for Board Members

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 3:45 PM – 4:50 PM
Room: Ballroom A2-4

What are the current legal issues affecting California schools and governing board members right now? Attorneys from CSBA’s gold law firms will participate in an informative and engaging panel discussion on the latest critical legal issues confronting school districts and county offices of education. They’ll provide the most up-to-date information about the dynamic and changing legal environment, including practical takeaways from recent case law, statutes, and other legal authority.

Presenters:
Kristin Lindgren-Bruzzone – General Counsel, CSBA
Sarine Abrahamian – Equity Partner, Orbach Huff & Henderson
Karen Rezendes – Managing Partner , Lozano Smith
Anthony De Marco – Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Carlos Villegas – Partner, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP
Marley Fox – Partner, Orbach Huff & Henderson
Pamela Townsend – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Collective Bargaining — Coping with the Scope of Representation and the Duty to Bargain in Good Faith — Chief Negotiators Tell All (REPEAT)

Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 8:45 AM – 9:50 AM
Room: Meeting Room 11

Two foundational pillars of negotiations are (1) the duty to bargain in good faith and (2) “lawful limits” on negotiability (the scope of representation). Yet, when a board and its chief negotiators push back to limit negotiability, their commitment to good faith is often questioned and challenged. As more and more technology, social and instructional issues make their way to the table— AI, cell phones, student behavior, parental rights, ethnic studies and safety, the tension between the great pillars intensifies. Panelists and attorneys Dannis, Pearl and Nakamura have negotiated hundreds of agreements. They will first lay out the applicable law, then identify the tension between the great pillars, and then offer practical strategies for board members and their bargaining teams to address cutting edge issues ever mindful of the best interests of students.

Presenters:
Marie Nakamura – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley
Jonathan Pearl – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley
Gregory Dannis – Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley