OPMA Essentials: From Legal Requirements to Everyday Practice

REGISTER

Registration closes on Wednesday, August 19 at 5 PM. All registrants will also receive a link to view the webinar recording.

For those who attended this webinar last offered in March 2026, much of the content will be similar. 

Webinar Overview

Staying compliant with Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) requires more than a basic understanding of the law. This semiannual webinar is designed for public officials and local government staff who may need a refresher on OPMA fundamentals and are also seeking deeper insight into its nuanced requirements, including the latest compliance and case law updates. Participants will explore real-world scenarios and learn practical strategies for managing meetings that promote transparency and help avoid inadvertent violations. The session will conclude with live Q&A, offering the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance from MRSC’s experienced legal consultants. 

Educational Objectives

The following OPMA topics will be covered:

• Defining a Meeting Under OPMA: Clarifying when a gathering qualifies as a “meeting” under the law, including serial communications (email, text, social media) and informal discussions. 
• Executive Sessions: Legal bases for executive sessions, how to properly convene and document them, and common pitfalls to avoid. 
• Notice and Agenda Requirements: Best practices for timely and accurate public notice, preparing agendas, and handling last-minute changes or cancellations. 
• Public Comment and Participation: Balancing open dialogue with meeting control, including strategies for managing disruptive behavior and ensuring equitable access. 
• Case Law Update: Review recent court decisions and legal developments that impact OPMA interpretation and compliance. 

Who Should Attend?

Elected officials and local government staff involved in public meetings including attorneys, city and county clerks, board or commissioner secretaries, office assistants, and agency executive officers. This webinar provides both a foundational understanding of the OPMA and advanced insights into current best practices. 

Credits

This training is eligible for:

• 1.5 hours of CLE credit from the Washington State Bar Association (pending approval).
• Also meets Open Government Training Act requirements for public officials.

Presenters

• Linda Gallagher, Legal Consultant, MRSC. Linda joined MRSC in 2017. She previously served as a senior deputy prosecuting attorney for King County and as an assistant attorney general. Linda’s municipal law experience includes risk management, torts, civil rights, transit, employment, workers compensation, eminent domain, vehicle licensing, law enforcement, corrections, and public health. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Law. 
• Flannary Collins, Managing Attorney, MRSC. Flannary first joined MRSC as a legal consultant in August 2013 after serving as assistant city attorney for the city of Shoreline where she advised all city departments on a wide range of issues. Flannary became the managing attorney in 2018. In this role, she manages the MRSC legal team of five attorneys. At MRSC, Flannary enjoys providing legal guidance to municipalities on all municipal issues, including the OPMA, PRA, and elected officials’ roles and responsibilities. She also serves on the WSAMA Board of Directors as Secretary-Treasurer. Flannary is a Seattle native, graduated with a B.A. from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and received her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.

Training Scholarships

• The Washington Counties Risk Group (WCRG) will provide training scholarships for this webinar. Those wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to respectfully contact your WCRG risk manager, Mark Sherwood at msherwood@chooseclear.com to request the registration code before you register.
• The Cities Insurance Association of Washington (CIAW) will provide training scholarships for this webinar. Those wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to respectfully contact your CIAW risk manager, Mark Sherwood at msherwood@chooseclear.com to request the registration code before you register.
• Read about other scholarship opportunities.

Payment Policy: Payment for this training is completed online by card. If you need to be billed to pay offline, there will be a $5.00 administrative fee added to the total cost of registration. Please contact Jacob Rice (jrice@mrsc.org) if you need to request an invoice.

Refund Policy: Refunds will be provided minus a 5% administrative fee until the registration deadline at 5 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. No refunds for cancelations or no-shows after the registration deadline. Please contact Jacob Rice (jrice@mrsc.org) if you need to request a refund.

If you are registered for the webinar and are unable to attend, you will still be able to view the recorded webinar afterwards. However, if you cancel your registration, you will not receive a link to the recording.