Why You Should Attend:

• Appellate Insights from the Bench: Learn directly from a distinguished panel of Maryland's appellate justices and judges as they discuss recent high-impact land use decisions and provide expert suggestions for improving your appellate briefs in land use cases. This highly popular session offers unparalleled judicial perspective.Discover Sustainable Growth and Carla Gerber,Deputy Planning Director of Kent County Principles: Hear from opening keynote speaker Rebecca Flora, Maryland's Secretary of Planning, on critical topics related to sustainable growth and new principles in comprehensive planning.
• Stay Ahead of Key Land Use Issues: Expert-led panels will cover a diverse range of timely and crucial topics, including:
  • Ethical considerations in land use practice.
  • The implications of the 2024 Housing Expansion & Affordability Act.
  • Lessons learned from the L.A. fires with relevance to land use.
  • Updates on takings cases and the conclusion of the Chevron doctrine.
• And much more!
  
  

Agenda

9:00 a.m.:  Opening & Welcome
Land Use Institute Program Co-Chairs: Peter Goldsmith, Esq. Lerch, Early and Brewer, Chtd.; Casey L. Cirner, Esq. Miles & Stockbridge P.C.

9:10 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.:  Opening Keynote : Sustainable Growth - Eight New Planning Principles in Comprehensive Planning

 Rebecca L. Flora, Maryland Secretary of Planning

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Supreme Court of Maryland and Appellate Court of Maryland Judges Panel Discussion of Recent Land Use Appellate Decisions, and Recommendations for Improving Land Use Appellate Briefs, with Q & A 
The Honorable Brynja McDivitt Booth, Supreme Court of Maryland
The Honorable Glenn T. Harrell, Jr., Supreme Court of Maryland (Senior Judge)
The Honorable Andrea M. Leahy, Appellate Court of Maryland
The Honorable E. Gregory Wells, Chief Judge, Appellate Court of Maryland

Moderator: Gus Bauman, Esq., Beveridge & Diamond, PC

11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Break

11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Maryland State Housing Panel
Faculty will cover the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024, including what defines "unreasonable requirements," density/preemption impacts at the local level (with a Carroll County application example), state guidance and training, prior implementation examples, the influence of private vs. nonprofit restrictive covenants, updates on the Attainable Housing Task Force/ADU legislation, the Jobs and Housing Bill, and the implementation of updated planning principles locally.
Tom Coale, Esq., Perry Jacobson
Haley Lemieux, Director, Office of Policy Development, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Carter Reitman, Lead Housing Planning with the Maryland Department of Planning; 
Moderator: Peter Goldsmith, Esq. Lerch, Early and Brewer, Chtd.

12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.  Break Out Session #1
Main Ballroom: Ethical Issues in Land Use
Faculty will address legal advocacy/lobbying resources, conflicts of interest arising from clients competing for capacity/approvals, representing officials in non-land use matters when appearing before them in land use cases, potential conflicts/pitfalls of equity interests in development projects, and communication protocols (ex parte and otherwise) with staff, board members, and elected officials.
E. Wesley Adams III, Esq., County Attorney, Charles County
Crystal Richard, Esq., Law Offices of Crystal S. Richard, LLC

 Alan J. Hyatt, Esq., Hyatt & Weber, P.A. 

Moderator:  Joseph A. Stevens, Esq., Stevens Palmer, LLC/Bay East Title

Columbian Ballroom:  Environmental Considerations in Development Panel 

 Faculty will cover issues related to natural disasters, including expediting permits, recreating housing, addressing environmental concerns, building requirements, and insurance/surety issues related to building/rebuilding in areas where insurance may not be available, and the obligations to rebuild for individuals, developers, and government.
Sheronda Rose, Esq., Litigation Staff Attorney, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Kinley R. Bray, Esq. Member, YVS Law LLC

Moderator:  Casey L. Cirner, Miles & Stockbridge P.C. 

2:20  p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break 

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Break Out Session #2

 
Main Ballroom: Solar Panel 
This session will cover pre-emption issues for solar projects, with an analysis of the Washington County v. Perennial Solar precedent and Senate Bill 931.

Jason Vettori, Esq., Smith, Gildea, & Schmidt, LLC 

 David Beugelmans, Esq., Gordon Feinblatt LLC

Carla Gerber, Deputy Planning Director of Kent County

 Moderator: Genevieve H.R. Macfarlane, Esq., Stevens Palmer, LLC/Bay East Title

Columbian Ballroom:  Planning Director Insight & Trends Panel 

This session will address the relationship between zoning and consistency with comprehensive plans, and examine trends in Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs), including updates following recent changes to school tests in various jurisdictions.

Lynda Eisenberg, Director, Howard County Department of Planning & Zoning
Lakisha Hull, Prince George’s County Planning Director
Robert Kronenberg, Deputy Planning Director, Montgomery County Planning Department

Moderator: Sean P. Hughes, Esq., Miller, Miller & Canby

 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Plenary Session 
Main Ballroom: Takings Cases and Administrative Agency Deference

Will Yeatman, Esq., Senior Legal Fellow, Pacific Legal Foundation 

Timothy Dugan, Esq., Bean Kinney & Korman, PC
Gus B. Bauman, Esq., Beveridge & Diamond PC

4:30 p.m. Closing Remarks

 4:30 p.m - 5:30 p.m. Networking Reception sponsored by 

Shaping the Future of Property Law

Don't miss this essential opportunity to enhance your expertise, expand your professional network, and gain a competitive edge in real property and land use law. Register today to immerse yourself in critical discussions and practical strategies that will empower your practice and further your career.

MEMBER PRICE: $225 | NON MEMBER PRICE: $275

6 CLE (including 1 hour of ethics) Credits will be offered for surrounding MCLE States 

Unable to attend the live program? The program will be recorded and available on-demand within ten days of the live program. Pre-purchase the on-demand program today!  

The Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) is committed to making its online and in-person services, products, and events accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please complete this form.

MEMBER PRICE: $225 | NON MEMBER PRICE: $275