Role of the attorney as part of the airport management team workshop
You can now register for the “Role of the Attorney as Part of the Airport Management Team” workshop which will be held 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, as part of the 66th Annual Airport Management Short Course in Monterey, CA.
Explore the workshop topics and meet our speakers below. This workshop is eligible for Accredited Airport Executives® (A.A.E.) continuing education credits.
Workshop Agenda TOPICS*
1. New Strings Attached: The Changing Legal Landscape for FAA Grants
Speaker: Steven L. Osit, Kaplan Kirsch LLP
AIP and other federal grants are coming with new conditions—and new controversies. This panel will unpack several new requirements for grant recipients introduced in the past year, including a requirement to cooperate with federal officials in the enforcement of immigration laws and certify compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, among other revisions to FAA’s standard grant agreement template. We will review the status of legal challenges to these conditions and discuss how airports may prepare for compliance and litigation risks.
2. Beyond the Roar: Unraveling Airport Noise and Emissions Issues
Speakers:
Thomas Luria, Associate General Counsel Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
Scott Huber
Lori Ballance, Gatzke Dillon & Ballance LLP
As communities surrounding airports continue to grow, so do the complaints and legal challenges to the flight of aircraft over residential areas. This panel will discuss recent litigation centered on airport noise and emissions and common related issues Airport Sponsors may face.
3. NEPA After Marin Audubon Society: What Practitioners Need to Know About the Changing Federal Environmental Review Landscape
Speaker: Katrina Nelson, Sacramento County
Since 1978, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has promulgated regulations governing how each federal agency is required to conduct NEPA review. In the wake of the D.C. Circuit’s 2024 decision in Marin Audubon Society v. FAA and the cascade of executive, congressional, and regulatory actions that have followed, however, many questions remain unanswered regarding the scope of federal environmental review and how federal agencies, particularly the FAA and DOT, are filling in the gap. This session will provide an overview of the current regulatory landscape and highlight how airport sponsors can ensure NEPA compliance in light of this changing landscape.
4. Alternative Project Delivery 201: Pros, Cons, and Legal Considerations
Speakers:
Katrina Nelson, Sacramento County
Tracy Davis, Kaplan Kirsch LLP
Brian Gallucci
Airports are increasingly turning to alternative delivery methods – including design-build, construction manager at-risk, and public private partnerships – to deliver complex infrastructure projects on time and within budget. This session will provide a practical overview of these approaches and, through recent case studies, examine the advantages and disadvantages of each method, common pitfalls, and compliance considerations unique to public works projects to enable airport sponsors to select and structure the most effective project delivery method for their needs.
5. From the Courtroom: Recent Case Law Affecting Airport Sponsors
Speaker: Steven L. Osit, Kaplan Kirsch LLP
Airport sponsors continue to find themselves at the intersection of complex legal, regulatory, and operational challenges. This session will provide an overview of the most significant administrative and judicial decisions—from Part 16 complaints to state and federal court litigation—with implications for airport sponsors. Panelists will highlight key takeaways for airport sponsors attempting to navigate an ever-evolving legal environment.
6. Runway to Revenue: Unpacking FAA Financial Policies for Airport Sponsors
Speakers:
Thomas Luria, Associate General Counsel Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
Mark McClardy, Retired, Former Director, Airports Division, FAA - Western Pacific Region
The FAA’s Rates and Charges and Revenue Use Policies set the stage for how Sponsors are expected to generate and use airport revenues, but within those policies, there are many gray areas. This panel will explain key considerations of both policies and provide practical guidance on how to tackle common issues that may arise.
*Subject to change
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Be sure to register via the Airport Management Short Course conference registration form. You may register to attend the workshop only, or the workshop and conference.
Airport managers have asked if this course is just for attorneys, and the answer is “no”. The workshop is designed for airport managers to bring their attorneys, especially those from smaller jurisdictions who wear many hats that may not be able to focus solely on airport issues, to have the opportunity to network and learn how other airports handle legal issues.If you have any questions regarding the workshop please contact SWAAAE representative Ken Moen.