Litigation & Appeals

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FOIA for Attorneys: Draft Smart Requests, Fight Denials, and Get Results

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 3 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 3 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 3 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 3 Total
California CLE Approved 3 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 4 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 3 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 3 Total
Florida CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 3 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 3 Total
Iowa CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 3 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 3 Total
Maine CLE Approved 3 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 3 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Pending 3 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 3 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 3 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 3.6 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 3 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 3 Total
New York CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 3 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 3 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 3 Total
Texas CLE Approved 3 Total
Utah CLE Approved 3 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 3 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 3 Total
Washington CLE Approved 3 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 3.5 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Wyoming CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Live Online
3 hours
Steven Torres
Ashley Ulbricht
Usman Mohammad
With Steven A. Torres from West Group Law PLLC + 2 others

Mon, Sep 21, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM

Product ID 102312

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Overview

Practical FOIA Skills Most Attorneys Never Learned

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) can be a powerful tool - but all too often, requests are slow, denied, or produce little of value. The difference is not the law; it is how you use it. This basic yet practical program shows you how to use FOIA to get better, faster, and more complete results. You will learn how agencies actually process requests and apply exemptions, where delays and denials happen, and how to draft requests that avoid common pitfalls. You will also learn how to fight back against incomplete responses. Learn what works in real-world practice - register today!

  • Clear up common misunderstandings attorneys have about FOIA.
  • Learn how agencies handle requests and apply exemptions.
  • Draft targeted FOIA requests that minimize delay and maximize production.
  • Receive practical guidance on managing incomplete responses, delays, and backlogs.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. FOIA Fundamentals: Scope, Limits, and Common Misconceptions
  2. Exemptions and High-Risk Requests - Where the Fights Happen
  3. Drafting FOIA Requests That Get Results (With Samples)
  4. Handling Agency Responses: From Basic Follow Up to Appeals and Litigation

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Related Topics

Product ID 102312

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 3 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 3 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 3 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 3 Total
California CLE Approved 3 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 4 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 3 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 3 Total
Florida CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 3 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 3 Total
Iowa CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 3 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 3 Total
Maine CLE Approved 3 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 3 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Pending 3 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 3 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 3 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 3.6 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 3 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 3 Total
New York CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 3 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 3 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 3 Total
Texas CLE Approved 3 Total
Utah CLE Approved 3 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 3 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 3 Total
Washington CLE Approved 3 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 3.5 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Wyoming CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. FOIA Fundamentals: Scope, Limits, and Common Misconceptions

    1. Federal FOIA vs. State Public Records Laws
    2. What Qualifies as an "Agency Record"
    3. What FOIA Does NOT Cover
    4. Records Held by Contractors or Third Parties
    5. Who Can Request
    6. Common Misconceptions Attorneys Have About FOIA

  2. Exemptions and High-Risk Requests - Where the Fights Happen

  3. Drafting FOIA Requests That Get Results (With Samples)

    1. Identifying the Correct Agency (and Anticipating Referrals)
    2. Inside the Agency: How FOIA Responses Are Actually Handled (and Why It Matters)
    3. Writing Narrow, Targeted Requests
    4. Key Language to Include
    5. Requesting Electronic Formats and Metadata
    6. Avoiding Common Drafting Mistakes That Trigger Delays or Denials
    7. When to Use Touhy or Subpoenas Instead
    8. Fees, Fee Waivers, and Expedited Processing

  4. Handling Agency Responses: From Basic Follow Up to Appeals and Litigation

    1. Partial Release, Withholding, and "No Records" Responses
    2. Reading Redactions and Exemption Codes
    3. Rolling Productions and Delays
    4. Delays and Backlog - What You Can Realistically Do
    5. When to Follow Up vs. Escalate
    6. Administrative Appeals and Litigation

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for attorneys. Paralegals may also benefit.

Speakers

Steven A Torres
Steven A.
Torres
West Group Law PLLC
Ashley M Ulbricht
Ashley M.
Ulbricht
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Usman Mohammad
Usman
Mohammad
Kostelanetz LLP
Speaker bio
Steven A Torres

Steven A. Torres

West Group Law PLLC
Steven Torres

is a partner in the law firm of West Group Law PLLC. Since 1994, his areas of practice include municipal infrastructure, energy and environmental law, federal/state/local environmental and land use permitting, construction law, litigation, labor negotiation and litigation, arbitration/mediation, municipal governance, and legislation. Mr. Torres is nationally recognized in his practice area, and a frequent lecturer, guest speaker and teacher/mentor to other practitioners. He represents government and private industry in complex water, wastewater, utility, energy, solid waste, emerging technology, and public construction transactions and litigation. Mr. Torres earned his B.S. degree in computer science from Daniel Webster College and his J.D. degree, cum laude, at Suffolk University Law School.

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Speaker bio
Ashley M Ulbricht

Ashley M. Ulbricht

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Ashley Ulbricht

focuses her practice on representing clients in all aspects of municipal law. She has substantial background in handling land use and zoning, real estate, and general civil litigation matters, and advises her clients concerning public-private partnerships, development, municipal utility and telecommunications, construction project management and bid processes, code enforcement litigation, public safety discipline and investigations, §1983 litigation and public safety risk management, police and fire union contract negotiation, public law contract negotiation, and municipal employment law. Prior to joining Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Ms. Ulbricht served as city attorney for the City of Carmel, Indiana and general counsel to the Carmel Redevelopment Commission. She earned her B.S. degree from Saint Mary's College, University of Notre Dame and her J.D. degree from the Valparaiso University School of Law. Ms. Ulbricht is a member of the Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association, where she has previously served as a member of the Litigation Committee and AIM Utilities Policy Committee. She is also a member of the International Municipal Lawyers Association and serves as the Indiana state chair.

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Speaker bio
Usman Mohammad

Usman Mohammad

Kostelanetz LLP
Usman Mohammad

is counsel at the New York City office of Kostelanetz LLP. His practice includes New York City and state government procurement matters, civil and criminal tax controversies including tax whistleblower matters, and commercial litigation. Mr. Mohammad has litigated cases in a variety of forums, including New York State Court, federal district courts, U.S. Tax Court and AAA and private party arbitrations. He has extensive experience with government procurement award protests, Article 78 proceedings involving procurement matters, foreign asset reporting issues, IRS responsible person and trust fund recovery penalty matters, IRS whistleblower matters, and IRS collection cases. Mr. Mohammad earned his B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995, and graduated cum laude and Order of the Coif (top 10 percent) from the University of Michigan Law School in 1998. He was the associate editor of the Michigan Law Review from 1996 to 1997, and an executive editor from 1997 to 1998. Mr. Mohammad joined Kostelanetz LLP in 2000.

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