Sellers Dorsey is excited to attend The American Public Human Services Association’s (APHSA) National Human Services Summit in Arlington, Virginia. Join us for an engaging discussion focused on navigating lawsuits and the complexities of federal court defense for social service agency leaders.

Balancing Lawsuits and the Mission: Leadership Amid Reform Litigation

Date & Time: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Location: Salon II, Arlington, First Level

Leading a social service agency presents significant challenges – and that is on the days that everything works as it is designed. Leadership is consistently balancing its attention between making progress and preventing regression. And then one day, an advocacy group files a scorched earth federal civil action complaint, full of colorful anecdotes, that alleges that you – a leader of a social service agency – are deliberately indifferent to these problems or are otherwise violating the law.

Do they have solutions? No, just criticism. And yet, the work continues. The same day-to-day struggles remain. But every decision now has a “how will this effect the lawsuit” flavor.

This workshop will provide practical strategies for agency leaders to maintain day-to-day operations, drive progress under a lawsuit or consent decree, effectively manage media inquiries, engage stakeholders, and navigate the complexities of federal court defense.

Presenters:

Katie Olse, Managing Director, Sellers Dorsey

Cammie Chapman, Special Counsel, Brown & Peisch, PLLC

Jeffrey Cartmell, Director, Oklahoma Human Services