Let’s Talk - Lozano Smith Podcast
Let’s Talk - Lozano Smith Podcast

Let’s Talk - Lozano Smith Podcast

Lozano Smith

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Episodes

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Discussing changes in the law and legal decisions that affect public agencies.

Recent Episodes

E100 Responding to Requests under the California Public Records Act:  Best Practices from the Field
DEC 18, 2025
E100 Responding to Requests under the California Public Records Act: Best Practices from the Field
<p>In this episode—the 100th Lozano Smith Podcast episode—host <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorneys_bio.php?id=37" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sloan Simmons</a> joins Partners <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=188" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alyse Pacheco Nichols</a> and <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=243" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crystal Pizano</a> to discuss strategic planning and best practices for responding to requests under the California Public Records Act. Alyse and Crystal’s respective expertise in Governance and Municipal practice areas lends a practical discussion useful for local educational agencies and municipalities faced with the ever-increasing number and complexity of public record requests.</p> <p>Show Notes &amp; References</p> <ul> <li>2:02 – Sequence of events when Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) receive requests for information</li> <li>5:12 – Unclear requests and seeking clarification</li> <li>6:39 – The value of understanding who a requester is and the motivations behind any requests</li> <li>10:21 – Contextual clues to help LEAs know what types of records to identify for disclosure</li> <li>12:28 – Requests that may relate to anticipated litigation or politically sensitive subjects</li> <li>15:48 – Large-scale email PRA requests and how to go about gathering documents</li> <li>19:04 – Best practices for large requests</li> <li>22:48 – Partnering with legal counsel</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: <a href="http://www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.lozanosmith.com/podcast</a></p>
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26 MIN
E99 New Laws Impacting Students Heading into 2026
DEC 15, 2025
E99 New Laws Impacting Students Heading into 2026
<p>In this episode, host <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=37" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sloan Simmons</a> joins Student Practice Group Co-Chair <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ruth Mendyk</a> and student practitioner <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=305" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rebal Halabi-Boutros</a> for the year’s annual student legislation round-up.  Ruth and Rebal discuss the most significant bills passed by the close of this year’s legislative session and their impacts going into 2026.</p> <p>Show Notes &amp; References</p> <ul> <li>1:34 – New laws related to immigration enforcement (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB49" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Assembly Bill (AB) 49</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3432" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 41 &#8211; October 2025</a>)</li> <li>3:54 – Judicial vs. administrative warrants (See <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/school-guidance-model-k12.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Attorney General Guidance</a>)</li> <li>4:43 – Immigration enforcement and the impact on average daily attendance (ADA) (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1348" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 1348</a>)</li> <li>5:40 – Comprehensive school safety plans (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB98" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate Bill (SB) 98</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3432" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 41 &#8211; October 2025</a>)</li> <li>7:08 – Family Preparedness Act (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB495" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 495</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3438" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 46 &#8211; November 2025</a>)</li> <li>10:56 – Identification cards (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB727" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 727</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3448" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client New Brief 54 &#8211; November 2025</a>)</li> <li>12:21 – Homeless students and health screenings (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB677" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 677</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3448" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 54 &#8211; November 2025</a>)</li> <li>13:22 – Smartphone use and the emergency exception (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB962" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 962</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3447" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 53 &#8211; November 2025</a>)</li> <li>17:50 – Antisemitism and discrimination (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 715</a> and <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB48" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SB 48</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3434" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 43 &#8211; October 2025</a>)</li> <li>20:54 – <em>Prichett et al. v. Newsom et al.</em>, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Case No. 5:25-cv-09443-NW</li> <li>23:00 – <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AB-715-Signing-Message.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Governor Newsom&#8217;s statement</a> on AB 715 and SB 48 (October 7, 2025)</li> <li>23:16 – Graduation ceremonies and student adornment of cap and gown (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1369" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 1369</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3435" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 44 &#8211; October 2025</a>)</li> <li>28:11 – Cyberbullying (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB772">AB 772</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3447" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 53 &#8211; November 2025</a>)</li> <li>33:43 – Readmission following expulsion (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1230" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 1230</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3453" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 58 &#8211; December 2025</a>)</li> <li>35:47 – Truancy (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB461" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 461</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3453" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 58 &#8211; December 2025</a>)</li> <li>38:24 – Diwali added to list of state holidays (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB268" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 268</a>) (See <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3453" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 58 &#8211; December 2025</a>)</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: <a href="http://www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.lozanosmith.com/podcast</a></p>
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40 MIN
Episode 98 Gender Identity, Title IX, and Equal Protection:  Status of Federal and California Law and Pending Litigation
DEC 1, 2025
Episode 98 Gender Identity, Title IX, and Equal Protection: Status of Federal and California Law and Pending Litigation
<p>In this episode, host <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=37" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sloan Simmons</a> joins Title IX experts <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=231" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarah Fama</a> and <a href="https://lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=296" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sinead McDonough</a> for a comprehensive discussion regarding the status of the law as it pertains to gender identity, students, and schools.  Topics covered include the current status of California and federal law and policy on point, as well as the wide-ranging scope of pending litigation poised to impact this area of school law.</p> <p>Show Notes &amp; References</p> <ul> <li>1:54 – Foundational cases impacting Title IX policy (<em>Bostock v. Clayton County </em>(2020) 140 S. Ct. 1731) (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB502020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 50 &#8211; June 2020</a>)</li> <li>2:55 – <em>Grabowski v. Arizona Board of Regents</em> (9th Cir. 2023) 69 F.4th 1110</li> <li>5:51 – <em>Parents for Privacy vs. Barr</em> (9th Cir. 2020) 949 F.3d 1210 (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB402020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 40 &#8211; May 2020</a>)</li> <li>10:48 – <em>Roe vs. Critchfield </em>(9th Cir. 2025) 137 F.4th 912 (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB142025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 14 &#8211; April 2025</a>)</li> <li>12:49 – <em><a href="https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/video/?20251024/25-5413/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jones, et al. v. Critchfield, et al.</a></em><a href="https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/video/?20251024/25-5413/">, Ninth Circuit Case No. 25-5413 </a></li> <li>13:44 – <em>Regino vs. Blake (formerly Staley) </em>(9th Cir. 2025) (<a href="https://lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB172025.pdf">Client News Brief 17 &#8211; April 2025</a>)</li> <li>14:57 – <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1266" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Assembly Bill (AB) 1266</a></li> <li>20:00 – <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/605us2r48_m648.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>United States v. Skrmetti </em>(2025) 605 U.S. 495</a></li> <li>22:24 – The law in California</li> <li>23:25 – CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) <a href="https://www.cifstate.org/governance/constitution/300_Series.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rule 300D</a> and <a href="https://www.cifstate.org/governance/constitution/Guidelines_for_Gender_Identity_Participation.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guidelines for Gender Identity Participation</a></li> <li>24:36 – Interactions with federal law</li> <li>25:56 – <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Executive Order (EO) 14168</a> (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB122025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 12 &#8211; February 2025</a>)</li> <li>27:01 – <em>Tennessee v. Cardona</em> decision</li> <li>28:29 – <a href="https://www.ed.gov/media/document/title-ix-enforcement-directive-dcl-109477.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dear Colleague letter &#8211; February 4, 2025</a></li> <li>30:32 – Federal government&#8217;s approach and reaction to CIF and AB 1266 (USDOE Press Releases: <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-launches-title-ix-investigations-two-athletic-associations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">February 12, 2025</a>; <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-launches-investigation-california-department-of-education-alleged-ferpa-violations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March 27, 2025</a>; <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-finds-california-department-of-education-and-california-interscholastic-federation-violation-of-title-ix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">June 25, 2025</a>)</li> <li>34:00 – Related Supreme Court cases (<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24-38.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Little v. Hecox</em>, Case No. No. 24-38</a>; <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24-43.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>West Virginia v. B.P.J.</em>, Case No. 24-43</a>)</li> <li>35:09 – <em>T.S. et al. v. Riverside Unified School District et al.</em>, U.S.D.C., Central District of California, Case No. 5:24-cv-02480-SSS-SP, and order on motion to dismiss, (C.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2025) 2025 WL 2884416</li> <li>36:25 – Protections for student privacy and their interactions with parental rights</li> <li>39:22 – <em>Mirabelli vs. Olson et al.</em>¸U.S.D.C., Southern District of California, Case No. 3:23-cv-00768-BEN-VET</li> <li>40:00 – The SAFETY Act (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1955" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 1955</a>)</li> <li>44:13 – The dynamic between <a href="https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/yr25ltr0401.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the federal government and California</a> post-<a href="https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pl/ab-1955-sum-of-prov.asp#:~:text=AB%201955%20has%20three%20major,without%20the%20pupil's%20consent%2C%20unless" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AB 1955 enactment</a> (<em>United States of America v. California Interscholastic Federation et al.</em>, U.S.D.C., Central District of California, 8:25-cv-01485-CV-JDE)</li> <li>50:26 – <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25-77.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Foote v. Ludlow School Committee</em>, Case No. 25-77 </a></li> <li>52:19 – <em>Mahmoud v. Taylor</em> (2025) 606 U.S. 522 (<a href="https://lozanosmith.blubrry.net/2025/11/19/episode-97-mahmoud-v-taylor-a-practical-discussion-on-the-supreme-courts-opt-out-opinion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Listen to Episode 97 Mahmoud v. Taylor</a>) (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB282025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief 28 &#8211; July 2025</a>)</li> <li>53:31 – Access to facilities</li> <li>55:15 – <em>Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board </em>(4th Cir. 2020) 972 F.3d 586</li> <li>56:06 – Million Dollar Question: Does Title IX protect individuals based on gender identity or not?</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: <a href="http://www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.lozanosmith.com/podcast</a></p>
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60 MIN
Episode 97 Mahmoud v. Taylor:  A Practical Discussion on the Supreme Court’s Opt-Out Opinion
NOV 19, 2025
Episode 97 Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Practical Discussion on the Supreme Court’s Opt-Out Opinion
<p>In this episode, host <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=37" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sloan Simmons</a> joins Partners <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=238" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chelsea Olson-Murphy</a> and <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=175" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle A. Raney</a> for a practical discussion of the holding, impact, and resulting best practices following the Supreme Court’s opinion in <em>Mahmoud v. Taylor</em> regarding the ability of parents to opt their children out of certain curriculum based upon sincerely held religious beliefs.</p> <p>Show Notes &amp; References</p> <ul> <li>1:50 – Opt-out statutes in other states and how California can prepare for these changes</li> <li>3:08 – Case background: <em>Mahmoud v. Taylor</em> (2025) 606 U.S. 522 (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB282025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief &#8211; July 2025</a>)</li> <li>9:31 – <em>Wisconsin vs. Yoder</em> (1972) 406 U.S. 205</li> <li>9:59 – <em>Kennedy v. Bremerton School Dist. </em>(2022) 597 U.S. 507  (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB282023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief &#8211; August 2023</a>)</li> <li>11:11 – What the Supreme Court held in <em>Mahmoud</em></li> <li>15:56 – Why the <em>Mahmoud</em> decision matters for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs)</li> <li>20:20 – <em>Employment Div., Dept. of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith</em> (1988) 485 U.S. 660</li> <li>21:56 – Practical considerations</li> <li>27:42 – Interactions with California law</li> <li>27:51 – The FAIR Act (<a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3434" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Client News Brief &#8211; October 2025</a>)</li> <li>28:38 – Best practices and recommendations for LEAs</li> <li>36:16 – Template opt-out forms and three prongs of information to gather</li> <li>41:16 – Takeaways and final thoughts</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: <a href="http://www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.lozanosmith.com/podcast</a></p>
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45 MIN
Episode 96 Signed, Sealed, Liable: The Realities of Opinions of Counsel
JUL 30, 2025
Episode 96 Signed, Sealed, Liable: The Realities of Opinions of Counsel
<p>In this episode, host <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=37" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sloan Simmons</a> joins Public Finance Chair <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daniel Maruccia</a> and Municipal and Governance Co-Chair <a href="https://www.lozanosmith.com/attorney_bio.php?id=154" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mary Lerner</a> to discuss opinions of counsel and their important role relating to bond issuances and related transactions.  Dan and Mary discuss the legal parameters applicable to opinions of counsel as well as practical impacts and challenges that can arise in this area of the law.</p> <p>Show Notes &amp; References</p> <ul> <li>1:26 – What are Opinions of Counsel</li> <li>2:26 – Who asks for an Opinion of Counsel and why</li> <li>10:08 – Information needed prior to signing an Opinion</li> <li>12:09 – The seriousness of signing Opinions</li> <li>15:01 – Unqualified v. Qualified Opinions</li> <li>16:19 – Due diligence analysis</li> <li>23:48 – Consequences to being wrong</li> <li>25:39 – Timelines and missing deadlines</li> <li>32:05 – Best practices</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: <a href="http://www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.lozanosmith.com/podcast</a></p>
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38 MIN