Join attorneys from the Baker Donelson Disaster Recovery and Government Services Group as they discuss the available options to resolve disputes that arise under FEMA's Public Assistance or Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs.
The speakers will provide an overview of the FEMA administrative appeal process, including recent changes, and a detailed review of the new Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) arbitration process now available for qualifying disputes related to any major disaster event declared January 1, 2016 and forward. The speakers will also provide best practices to support efficient and effective resolution of issues based on their experience with both processes, and address recent appeal and arbitration decisions and the lessons learned from those actions. The session will close with a brief summary of other current cases and legislative and other actions that may impact an applicant's evaluation of the available dispute resolution options.
Who should attend?
This program is designed for representatives of entities that are eligible to receive FEMA Public Assistance or Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding:
- Public entities, including local and state governments, public hospitals and public school districts; and
- Private non-profit entities that provide either governmental type or essential social services, including utilities, hospitals, custodial care facilities, community centers and private educational facilities.
We especially encourage in-house counsel for these entities to attend to learn more about their role in the new arbitration process.