Making the Freedom of Information Act Work for You

Need documentary evidence on government activity promptly and for a reasonable fee? Dramatically improve the quality and speed of your Freedom of Information Act responses with pointed request and appeal skills taught by veteran journalist and Freedom of the Press Committee member, Lisette Garcia, J.D.

The workshop will be held 6:30-8:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in the Zenger Room. An Internet-capable laptop required.

Participants will critique and edit case studies as a class in order to adopt language and strategy with a track record of overcoming standard objections raised by records custodians at local, state, and federal levels.

In the second session of a two-part workshop workshop participants will works on:
- Form, content, and procedure for successfully filing a record and fee waiver appeal in the public interest;
- Making an effective case for release of documents or waiver of fees (especially if you're not a lawyer) by relying on facts and precedent;
- Enforcing statutory deadlines without going to court.

Workshop leader Garcia founded the FOIA Resource Center to help lawmakers, journalists, and nonprofit organizations quickly and cost-effectively obtain the executive agency records they most need. Most recently, Lisette's FOIA requests prompted the U.S. Treasury Department to comply with data standardization provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act:

Prior to law school, Lisette was a reporter/editor at the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, and The Associated Press. For all the latest FOIA developments, follow Lisette on Twitter: @foiafactor.

Cost: NPC members $15. Non-members $30.

This is a ticketed event. Click here to jump to the ticket form.

All sales are final; no refunds will be issued.