THE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONAL
LEGAL COUNSELORS SEMINARPLANET HOLLYWOOD, LAS VEGASFEBRUARY 13-14, 2025CLICK TO BOOK YOUR HOTELDEADLINE IS JANUARY 10, 2025CLASS REGISTRATION DEADLINEIS JANUARY 24, 2025NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDAY 1: Thursday, February 13, 20259:00 – 9:10 a.m.Welcome - Larry James, NFOP General Counsel9:10 – 9:40 a.m. Overview on All Things NFOP - Patrick Yoes, NFOP President9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Insights from the City Attorney’s Perspective - Zach Klein, Columbus CityAttorneyThis presentation will explore the duty to defend officers, and the considerationsinvolved in such decisions. It will discuss reservations of rights, elucidating thefactors that influence these determinations and their underlying rationale.Moreover, the discussion will navigate through the complexities of managingconflicts of interest, especially concerning the representation of multiple officersimplicated in the same incident. The attendees will gain insights into how the CityAttorney meticulously selects legal representation for officers embroiled inconflicts, either among themselves or with the City. Other topics includeBrady/Giglio issues and an overview of the Columbus Civilian Review Board. Jeffrey Furbee – Section Chief, Columbus Police Dept. - Legal AdvisorThe Police Legal Advisor Section provides comprehensive legal advice specificallyto the Division of Police on policies, procedures, and labor issues. Attorneys inthis section also deliver round-the- clock “real time” advice to police personnel. Inaddition, this Section tracks lawsuits, case reviews and property damage/medicalclaims against the Division. Mr. Furbee has held this position over multipleadministrations.11:45 – 1:00 p.m. LunchAGENDAWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDAY 1: Thursday, February 13, 20251:00 – 4:00 p.m.Defending Law Enforcement Officers - Mark Collins & Kaitlyn Stephens–Esteemed Attorneys for Law EnforcementThis presentation will offer a detailed exploration through case studies onrepresenting officers from the inception of an incident to its resolution. It willdelve into the intricacies of navigating interviews with internal affairs and otherlaw enforcement agencies, departmental charges, civil lawsuits, and criminalinvestigations, including grand jury proceedings, jury instructions, and voir direquestions. Moreover, it will explain the significance of relationships with thePolice Department, County Prosecutor, City Attorney or Law Department, and theU.S. Attorney's Office. The session will also address strategic considerationssuch as the timing and necessity of releasing videos, managing publicstatements, addressing familial concerns, and the potential recourse of engagingPR firms.4:00 – 5:00 p.m.Status of Civilian Review Boards - Christopher Green & Marissa Borschke -General Counsel’s OfficeThis presentation offers a timely update and comprehensive overview of CivilianReview Boards across the nation, examining their evolving roles, authority, andchallenges. Discussion of key topics include subpoena power and budgetaryconstraints, and the consequential issues these elements present. Throughspecific examples and case studies, the presentation will show the complexitiessurrounding these boards, including the tensions between accountability,transparency, and resource limitations. Additionally, the session will provideinsights into best practices to address existing challenges. We may end with a roundtable discussion.AGENDAWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDAY 2: Friday, February 14, 20259:00 – 10:30 a.m.Representing Law Enforcement Officers and Lodges in Administrative, Civil& Criminal Cases - John Kautzman, Andrew Duncan, Chief Judge AlgenonMarbley of the Southern District of OhioSection 1983 Litigation: This presentation will be a case study for Section 1983litigation. It will be a comprehensive examination of the legal process from theinitial filing of the complaint to the trial. The presentation will explore the journeythrough the stages of litigation, including the drafting and filing of the complaintand subsequent responses. The session will also explore motion practice,including filing Motions to Dismiss and Motions for Summary Judgment. Lastly, itwill provide insights into the intricacies of jury selection, trial preparation, and thedynamic process of presenting evidence and arguments in court.10:30 – 12:00 p.m. The “Just Cause” Standard - Michael E. Coviello, Associate General Counsel– NFOP Labor ServicesThis presentation offers an in-depth explanation of the concept of "just cause"within the realm of disciplinary actions, providing clarity on its meaning, standard,and practical application. The discussion will delve into the fundamentalquestions: What constitutes "just cause" and how is it assessed in disciplinaryproceedings? Additionally, the session will provide insights into the requisitenotice required in disciplinary actions, understanding the procedural safeguardsnecessary to ensure fairness and due process. Moreover, the presentation willanalyze the types of evidence deemed sufficient to establish just cause, as wellas what mitigating factors are considered in order to ensure that disciplinarymeasures align proportionally with the severity of the misconduct.12:00 – 1:15 p.m.LunchAGENDAWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDAY 2: Friday, February 14, 20251:15 – 2:30 p.m. Artificial Intelligence in Policing - Christopher Green & Marissa Borschke –General Counsel’s OfficeThis presentation discusses the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI)and its utilization in law enforcement. It will explore the current landscape of AIimplementation, drawing upon real-world examples, and its potential usage. Thepresentation will also discuss how AI is being used in the legal industry and attrial. It will use case studies to examine its evolving role, admissibility issues, andemerging trends within legal proceedings.3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Contemporary Issues in Policing - Larry James & LanceLorussoThis discussion will provide a comprehensive update on Graham v Connor. It willalso provide an overview of qualified immunity, updates of state legislationregarding officers’ accountability and the various standards, including use offorce, as well as ABA Formal Opinion 511.AGENDAWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEINSTRUCTOR BIOSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSMARISSA R. BORSCHKEMarissa R. Borschke is an associate attorney at Amundsen Davis and serves asAssociate General Counsel for the National Fraternal Order of Police. In her role, sheworks closely with General Counsel, Larry James, to monitor national legislativedevelopments that impact law enforcement and helps draft amicus briefs on behalfof the NFOP. Marissa's legal experience spans employment claims, business torts,personal injury, insurance disputes, and civil and constitutional rights issues. Beyondher practice, she actively engages with the legal community through herinvolvement in the Columbus Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and SportsLawyers Association. Marissa earned her J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School ofLaw in 2020 and her B.S. from Indiana University Kelley School of Business in 2016.MARK C. COLLINSMark C. Collins is a criminal defense attorney and partner at Collins & Stephens Co.,LPA in Columbus, Ohio. He holds a Business Administration degree from CornellUniversity (1987), an MBA from SUNY Binghamton, and a law degree from CapitalUniversity Law School (1992). Collins began his career as an assistant prosecutingattorney in Franklin County (1993-1996) before joining a labor firm, where herepresented unions like the FOP and OEA. In 2000, he founded his own firm, whichnow includes a junior partner and two associates. Collins specializes in defendingpolice officers in cases of police shootings and currently represents four officersindicted for murder. He recently finished a re trial of a Columbus Police Officercharged with murder who was found not guilty by a jury. He also lectures on policerepresentation for the Columbus Bar Association and the Ohio Association ofCriminal Defense Lawyers.
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEINSTRUCTOR BIOSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSANDREW R. DUNCANAndrew R. Duncan is an attorney at Ruckelshaus Kautzman Blackwell sincegraduating from law school in 2006. He is a member of the Indianapolis BarAssociation and a Distinguished Member of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation. Agraduate of the Indianapolis Bar Association's Bar Leader Series, Duncan frequentlyspeaks at seminars on critical incident responses and legal issues for publicemployees. Admitted to practice in all Indiana State and Federal Courts, hespecializes in civil and criminal litigation, personal injury, appellate practice, publicsafety disciplinary proceedings, and liability defense. Duncan, alongside RKB PartnerJohn F. Kautzman, has handled several high-profile cases and contributed to shapingIndiana law through appellate litigation, benefiting teachers and public safetyprofessionals.MICHAEL E. COVIELLOMichael E. Coviello has practiced law since 1993 and is currently the AssociateGeneral Counsel for the Labor Services Division of the National Fraternal Order ofPolice. He has represented FOP members since 1998, previously serving as GeneralCounsel for the Florida State Lodge and its Labor Council. Coviello has extensiveexperience in civil, criminal, administrative, arbitration, and collective bargainingmatters, and is a strong advocate for police officers' constitutional and statutoryrights. He has also been active in recruiting and organizing in Florida. Coviellograduated magna cum laude from Nova University's Law School in 1993 and beganhis career with the Broward County Public Defender’s Office, earning awards for histrial skills before joining the FOP.
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEINSTRUCTOR BIOSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSCHRISTOPHER R. GREENChristopher R. Green is a partner at Amundsen Davis and serves as Associate GeneralCounsel for the National Fraternal Order of Police. He is the lead writer for all amicusbriefs submitted on behalf of the organization. With a focus on general defenselitigation, Chris handles a diverse practice including class action suits, employmentdisputes, business torts, insurance claims, and complex tort matters. His notableachievements include securing summary judgments for major retailers and statedepartments, and effectively defending class-action motions. Chris earned his J.D.from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2017 and his B.A. cum laudefrom The Ohio State University in 2013. Beyond his legal expertise, he contributes tothe community as a board member for the Contemporary Theater of Ohio and is anactive member of both the Columbus Bar Association and the Ohio Bar Association. LARRY H. JAMESGENERAL COUNSEL, NATIONAL FOPLarry James has been at the heart of the Columbus business, legal, civic and politicalscene for the last 30 years. He is a respected litigator, as well as an advisor to localand national leaders. In recognition of his many achievements, the law firm changedits name from Crabbe, Brown, Jones, Potts & Schmidt to Crabbe, Brown & James inJanuary 2001. Crabbe, Brown & James LLP formally combined with Amundsen DavisLLC on January 1, 2024.Mr. James is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, and he has servedas General Counsel of the National Fraternal Order of Police since 2001. He is also co-founder of the African-American Leadership Academy and a member of the Board ofTrustees of Kenyon College.
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEINSTRUCTOR BIOSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSZACH KLEINZach Klein was sworn in as Columbus City Attorney on January 1, 2018, after serving on theColumbus City Council since 2011, including a term as Council President from 2016 to 2017.In his role as City Attorney, Klein focuses on leveraging the law to enhance public safety,foster economic development, and protect vulnerable populations. He leads a bipartisaninitiative to reform Ohio's drug sentencing laws towards rehabilitation over incarcerationand has previously championed new gun laws in Columbus. A native of Belpre, Ohio, Kleingraduated from The Ohio State University and Capital University Law School. His careerbegan with clerkships at the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Courtfor the Southern District of Ohio. He has also served as Deputy Director of Management andAdministration in Vice President Joe Biden's Office, Deputy Chief of Legal Services in theOhio Attorney General's office, a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and has worked in privatepractice at Jones Day and the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.JOHN F. KAUTZMANJohn F. Kautzman, a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, graduated from North Central HighSchool in 1977, Indiana University in 1981, and the Indiana University Robert H. McKinneySchool of Law in 1984. He joined Ruckelshaus law firm in 1985 and has also served as aCircuit Court Commissioner. Kautzman was the 2005 President of the Indianapolis BarAssociation, remains on its Board of Directors, and is a Distinguished Fellow of theIndianapolis Bar Foundation. He is a past President of the Metropolitan Bar Caucus, hasserved on the National Conference of Bar Presidents' Executive Council, and holdsmemberships in several professional organizations, including the Indianapolis BarAssociation, the Indiana State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Hispractice includes both civil and criminal litigation, and he has served as lead counsel on anumber of high-profile State and Federal Court jury trials, including the first televisedFederal Court jury trial in State history. He is a frequent seminar speaker and facultymember at the ICLEF Trial Advocacy Skills College, focusing on general litigation, criminaldefense, personal injury, and law enforcement discipline and liability defense.
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEINSTRUCTOR BIOSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSLANCE LORUSSOLORUSSO LAW FIRMLance LoRusso is an attorney and staunch advocate for law enforcement and all firstresponders in the legal system and the media. Lance has over 30 years of publicsafety experience as an EMT, cop, and trainer, and was named Attorney of the Year in2021 by the National Fraternal Order of Police. Lance has represented over 175 firstresponders in shootings and critical incidents and also represents injured firstresponders and their families. Lance is an author of educational books for firstresponders as well as fiction books inspired by his experiences as a first responderand representing them during some of the most trying times of their lives.HONORABLEALGENON L. MARBLEYJudge Algenon L. Marbley has served as a federal judge for the United States DistrictCourt for the Southern District of Ohio since November 1997, following hisappointment by President Bill Clinton, upon recommendation from Senator JohnGlenn. On September 14, 2019, he made history as the first African-American ChiefDistrict Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Throughout his distinguished 25-yearjudicial career, Judge Marbley has presided over high-profile cases involving votingrights and policing, with his impactful statement, "Democracy dies in darkness,"featured by The Washington Post. Prior to his judicial appointment, he was a partnerat Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, focusing on civil, criminal, and administrativelaw. Judge Marbley earned his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at ChapelHill in 1976 and his J.D. from Northwestern University in 1979. He received honoraryDoctor of Laws degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022and Capital University Law School in 2000. In addition to his judicial duties, he isactively involved in community service, serving on the boards of NationwideChildren's Hospital, the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) School, and TheColumbus Symphony, among others.
WESTLEY PHILLIPSWestley Phillips is the Chief of the Civil Litigation Section at the Columbus CityAttorney's Office, where he has excelled for over two decades. Renowned for hisexpertise in high-profile law enforcement cases, Wes has successfully litigatedcomplex matters in both federal and state courts, from trials to appeals. His extensiveexperience is complemented by his role as a sought-after speaker on lawenforcement litigation topics. A distinguished 2004 graduate of The Ohio StateUniversity Moritz College of Law, Wes continues to shape legal discourse with hisdeep knowledge and strategic acumen.KAITLYN C. STEPHENSKaitlyn C. Stephens is a criminal defense attorney and partner at Collins & StephensCo., LPA in Columbus, Ohio. A magna cum laude graduate of both The Ohio StateUniversity (2013) and Capital University Law School (2016), Kaitlyn has been with thefirm since her undergraduate internship, progressing from law clerk to associateattorney before becoming a junior partner. Specializing exclusively in criminaldefense, she works alongside her partner, Mark C. Collins, on a range of cases,including high-profile law enforcement matters. Kaitlyn has also presented on lawenforcement topics at seminars hosted by the Columbus Bar Association and theOhio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is actively involved in defendingpolice officers against both murder charges and non-deadly force allegations.NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEINSTRUCTOR BIOSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FOP PRESIDENTPATRICK YOESPresident Yoes has dedicated his life to public service and law enforcementadvocacy, becoming an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) in1984. With nearly 36 years of experience, he retired in 2020 from the St. CharlesSheriff's Office in Louisiana, where he served in various roles including patroldeputy, sergeant, school resource officer, and commander of the SpecialServices Division. President Yoes has held numerous leadership positionswithin the FOP, including eight terms as President of the local lodge, and over22 years on the Louisiana State Lodge Executive Board, ten of which were asPresident. Nationally, he was recognized as the Jack Dudek Member of theYear in 2000, served as National Sergeant-at-Arms in 2003, and as NationalSecretary for 14 years before becoming National President in 2019. Withdegrees in Criminal Justice and Organizational Leadership and as a graduate ofthe FBI National Academy, President Yoes is committed to empowering othersand addressing the evolving challenges faced by law enforcementprofessionals.NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEINSTRUCTOR BIOSWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICECLICK HERE TO BOOKWWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEFounded in 1915, the Fraternal Order of Police is the largestlaw enforcement organization in the United States, withmore than 377,000 members. With national offices inNashville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., the FOP iscommitted to improving the working conditions of lawenforcement officers and the safety of those who servethrough education, legislation, information, communityinvolvement, and employee representation. Please visit fop.net for more information.WWW.FOP.NET@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALTHE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS