Housing Authorities

• Educated local governmental entity on new legislation passed in 2023, including new requirements for Public Facilities Corporations (PFCs), prohibitions on government devices for certain applications (TikTok), and a new definition of “business day” for purposes of the Public Information Act.
• Consulting and advising clients regarding the acquisition and disposition of affordable housing, including compliance with HUD regulations, where applicable.
• Assisting clients with Low Income Housing Tax Credits offered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
• Representing housing authority in litigation brought by an advocacy organization, resulting in a negotiated settlement to seek opportunities for tax credits that helped to create new units available for clients.
• Assisting housing authorities with myriad issues regarding HCV Program and the federal regulations impacting them (f/k/a Section 8).
• Representing clients in ensuring the identities of victims of domestic violence are protected when requested in Public Information Act requests, including by media, under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
• Defending housing authorities in contract disputes where the contract was never approved in an open session pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act.
• Represented public housing authority and obtained dismissal of a False Claims Act qui tam action where relators claimed the public housing authority defrauded the government of a billion dollars by falsely certifying it met its affirmatively further fair housing obligations, resulting in complete dismissal for the housing authority.
• Represented public housing authority in dispute regarding the calculation and enactment of payment standards, including calculations using Small Area Fair Market Rents.
• Counseled public housing authority on fair housing obligations and the impact of proposed changes to the administrative plan and occupancy standards.
• Hosts annual Housing Authorities of Texas Symposium (HATS) with industry leaders presenting on topics to keep housing authorities apprised of recent applicable legal developments.

Educational Institutions

• Regularly advise Administrations and/or Boards on handling of grievances filed by employees, parents, and community members against teachers, administrators, board members, and district police officers.
• Advised School Board on use of social media in light of First Amendment concerns.
• Represent ISD in administrative grievances before Texas Education Agency.
• Provided guidance on family law orders impacting students and advised on legal requirements of residency, admissions, enrollment, attendance, and more.
• Draft local policies, procedures, and guidelines in every aspect of day-to-day operations.
• Provided advise to school on handling criminal allegations and investigations impacting students and staff, including making reports of suspected abuse or neglect.
• Prepared a Facility Use Agreement for an independent school district.
• Represented a client in the termination of an employee who failed to advise supervisor before leaving campus during scheduled shift.
• Conducted training on creating and maintaining documentation and complying with Texas Public Information Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the record retention schedule promulgated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
• Conducted investigation of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation brought by an employee parent.
• Represented clients in the drafting, editing, and/or negotiation of contracts that meet requirements of procurement.
• Assisted post-secondary non-profit educational institution with certification from Texas Workforce Commission and later assisted in accreditation process.

Other Representative Matters

• Represented Girl Scout council in providing reasonable accommodations to girls and employees at summer camp.
• Conducted child safety audit for religious organization with numerous children’s ministries and made recommendations to enhance safety.
• Updated tutoring company’s employee handbook and agreement for services with parents.
• Provided training on Fair Housing Act to two local municipalities.
• Advised governmental risk pool for workers’ compensation insurance on remote work policy.
• Prepared employment agreement for CEO of youth organization.