Public Records Act Basics & More - Virtual Workshop
April 7, April 16, or May 7
9 AM - 4 PM (each date)
Cost: $180 (sales tax included in fee)
Capacity: 75 registrants per workshop date
Credits: CLE, WAPRO
Also meets Open Government Training Act requirements
Registration closes at 5 PM two days before each workshop session. Due to the high demand for the first two sessions, we have opened an additional session on May 7.
Workshop Overview
This virtual workshop will provide an in-depth review of the Public Records Act (PRA), starting with the PRA basics and then delving into more details about processing PRA requests, as well as covering public records management. MRSC is offering this popular workshop on two different days this April.
Educational Objectives
This training will help your local government stay in compliance with the increasingly demanding world of public records requests and records retention by providing a solid foundation in the basics of the PRA, practical tips, a review of the PRA request process, and other related topics. Attendees will also have access to a pre-recorded PRA Case Law Highlights 2025 webinar for no additional charge.
Workshop Agenda
In the morning, we will focus on the basics of the Public Records Act, including an in-depth exploration of the legal aspects of the PRA. In the afternoon, we will cover the more practical process of responding to a records request.
| Morning | |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Public Records Act basics |
| 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM | Break |
| 10:45 AM - 12 PM | Basics continued; Interactive Discussion |
| Afternoon | |
| 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM | 5 Steps in a PRA Request, Part I |
| 2:15 PM- 2:30 PM | Break |
| 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM | 5 Steps in a PRA Request, Part II |
| 3:15 PM - 4 PM | Questions, Discussion, and Advanced Topics |
Who Should Attend?
Local government attorneys, new public records officers and employees, and elected officials seeking to meet the Open Government Trainings Act requirements.
Presenters
- Sarah Doar, Legal Consultant, MRSC (All Sessions). Sarah joined MRSC in September 2018, after serving as Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Island County. At MRSC, Sarah provides guidance and training to municipalities on many aspects of government, including compliance with public records and open meeting laws, land use issues, and environmental law.
- Jill Dvorkin, Legal Consultant, MRSC (April 7). Before coming to MRSC, Jill worked for nine years as a civil deputy prosecuting attorney for Skagit County where she advised the planning department on a wide variety of issues including permit processing and appeals, Growth Management Act (GMA) compliance, code enforcement, SEPA, public records, the legislative process, and public records.
- Harry Boesche, Legal Consultant, MRSC (April 16). Harry joined MRSC as a legal consultant in April 2024. A municipal attorney with over 20 years of experience, he has served as a prosecutor and legal advisor to various Puget Sound local governments including Auburn, Tumwater, Roy, and Ruston. In addition to his legal practice, he has been a paralegal instructor at Tacoma Community College for over 20 years, teaching courses in labor and employment law, legal writing and civil procedure.
- Linda Gallagher, Legal Consultant, MRSC (May 7). Linda Gallagher 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.
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.
Credits
CLE credits from the Washington State Bar Association (pending approval). See table below for CLE ID numbers for each AM and PM session.
| CLE ID | Date | Time | Max Credits |
| 2080564 | 4/7/2026 | AM Session (9 AM - 12 PM) | 2.75 |
| 2080565 | 4/7/2026 | PM Session (1 PM - 4 PM) | 2.75 |
| 2083087 | 4/16/2026 | AM Session (9 AM - 12 PM) | 2.75 |
| 2083088 | 4/16/2026 | PM Session (1 PM - 4 PM) | 2.75 |
| 2083089 | 5/7/2026 | AM Session (9 AM - 12 PM) | 2.75 |
| 2083090 | 5/7/2026 | PM Session (1 PM - 4 PM) | 2.75 |
WAPRO Category B credits for Washington Association of Public Records Officers (WAPRO) certification/recertification (pending approval). See the table below for the course code for each AM and PM session.
| WAPRO ID | Date | Time | Max Credits |
| B000378 | 4/7/2026 | AM Session (9 AM - 12 PM) | 2.75 |
| B000379 | 4/7/2026 | PM Session (1 PM - 4 PM) | 2.75 |
| B000380 | 4/16/2026 | AM Session (9 AM - 12 PM) | 2.75 |
| B000381 | 4/16/2026 | PM Session (1 PM - 4 PM) | 2.75 |
| B000382 | 5/7/2026 | AM Session (9 AM - 12 PM) | 2.75 |
| B000383 | 5/7/2026 | PM Session (1 PM - 4 PM) | 2.75 |
Also meets Open Government Training Act requirements for public officials.
Payment Policy: Payment 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. To request an invoice, please contact Jacob Rice (jrice@mrsc.org).
Refund Policy: Refunds will be provided minus a 5% administrative fee until the registration deadline at 5 PM two days before each workshop session. 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.