Peter Kirsch was honored to present the Keynote Address at the 15^th Annual Worldwide Airport Law Association conference in Willemstad, Curacao on May 27, 2025.  His presentation was on 100 years of airport law in the United States [link presentation – attached.  It should be converted into PDF first].  WALA is the only international organization dedicated to the promotion of airport law and its annual conference provides an opportunity for airport lawyers from across the globe to exchange best practices and learn about recent legal developments affecting airport operations, airport development and airport private investment.  Mr. Kirsch is a frequent contributor to WALA conferences.

We are proud to announce that firm partners Sara Dutschke and Samuel Kohn will be featured panelists at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 81st Annual Convention & Marketplace on October 30th. Their panel, titled “An Underutilized Self-Determination Tool: Public Law 102-477 and Integrating Funding Streams to Improve Effectiveness,” will explore how Indian Tribes can streamline the process of receiving and managing federal funds to support critical services. 

Tribal governments often receive funding from multiple federal agencies to support job training, economic development, and self-sufficiency initiatives. However, navigating the distinct requirements and reporting processes of each agency can be time-consuming and burdensome. Public Law 102-477 offers a solution, allowing Tribes to consolidate funding streams from up to 12 different agencies into a single access and reporting point through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at the Department of the Interior (DOI). This law simplifies the process, reduces administrative burdens, and enhances program effectiveness. 

The panel will highlight how Tribes can use self-determination contracts and self-governance compacts to integrate and manage these funding streams more efficiently. It will also cover current and potential new integrations from agencies such as the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Justice (DOJ), Education, Commerce, and Agriculture (USDA), among others. Attendees will gain valuable insights from program administrators, 477 Tribal working group representatives, and legal experts on best practices for proposing integration and next steps for maximizing these opportunities. 

Airport Lease and Insurance Best Practices, presented at the 68^th Annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference to the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (Oct. 3, 2024) 

Firm partner Steven Osit will be presenting at the 2024 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition on September 8^th in Grand Rapids, MI. Steven’s presentation, Keeping Pace with Change: Airport Regulatory Update, will address the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. regulations impacting airport operations. This session will feature a panel of distinguished experts providing a concise update on recent regulatory developments. Attendees will gain critical insights into the key regulatory issues shaping the present and future of the aviation industry. The session will also explore strategic approaches to help airport professionals effectively adapt to ongoing regulatory changes.

Firm partners Sara Dutschke and Tracy Davis presented at National Transportation in Indian Country Conference on August 28, 2024. Their co-presentation, Taking Advantage Of Unique Funding Opportunities For Tribal Transportation Projects: Transportation Infrastructure Development, covered the many funding opportunities available to project owners from the US Department of Transportation. Tracy Davis had a second presentation, Underutilized Federal Funding Opportunities, focused on the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants, including eligibility, program requirements, and grant management.