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March 13, 2026
You asked for shorter programs without sacrificing substance — and we listened.
We’re excited to introduce a new format for our annual Real Property Law Institute that delivers the same high-quality content, practical insights, and expert perspectives you value, now offered in convenient one-hour sessions.
Join us for focused, flexible learning designed to fit your schedule while still providing the depth and relevance you expect. You can register for all four sessions or only the sessions that interest you. All sessions are Easy Pass eligible!
The Real Property Institute sessions are:
Learn more about each session below:
Real Property Law Institute Series Session 1: Lawyers Who Know the Law - Update on Legislative Issues and the Zoning Code
April 9, 2026, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Live Webinar, 1.0 CLE Hours
This program will offer insights on recent changes to the law which may affect Columbus’ real estate practitioners.
• Review of legislative changes that may affect Ohio’s real property practitioners
• Zoning changes
• Columbus’s “Zone-In” process, including the phased approach and timeline
• How to navigate current and transitioning Codified City Zoning Ordinances during the “Zone-In” process.
Speakers:
Matt Whitehead, Executive Vice President of Governmental Policy Group
Matthew S. Whitehead is the Executive Vice President of Governmental Policy Group, Inc. He is a graduate of Xavier University with a degree in Political Science and Minors in Business and Peace Studies, and has completed classes toward a Master’s degree at the Ohio State University. Since graduating from Xavier, Matt worked as a Murray A. Seasongood Foundation Intern with the City of Cincinnati, as an Ohio Legislative Service Commission Fellow and as an aide to a Cincinnati City Councilmember.
For over five years he served as Legislative Aide in the Ohio House of Representatives managing the day-to-day operations of the office, overseeing constituent affairs, press relations and all legislative matters. Matt also served as the senior aide to the House Civil and Commercial Law and Judiciary Committees. Prior to joining Governmental Policy Group & RH Resources, Matt served as the Legislative Liaison for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, conducting legislative affairs including Controlling Board requests, bill monitoring, testimony preparation and presentation. With Matt’s over two decades of extensive experience in the development of public policy, he has worked on a variety of topic areas that touch virtually every aspect of state government making him an effective advocate for our client’s issues. Matt is a member of, and certified by, the Ohio Lobbying Association.
Shannon Pine, Chief Zoning Official for the City of Columbus
Shannon Pine received a B.A. from Capital University in 1992 in Biology, and began her career as a chemist at a food testing laboratory for five years. She then accepted a position with the City of Columbus in 1998 as a Planner I with the Department of Development, Building Services Division, was promoted to a Planner II in the Council Activities Section (a subsection of the Zoning Section) completing rezoning and Council (use) variance requests, and then managing that section for eight years before being promoted to the Chief Zoning Official in 2022. During her City of Columbus career, Shannon has performed various planning responsibilities, including zoning clearance, zoning public hearings, drafting and approving zoning ordinances, giving zoning presentations, evaluating RFPs and interviewing consultants for the zoning code update, writing zoning policy memorandums, and conducting zoning code development.
Notable code changes under Shannon’s tenure as Chief Zoning Official include the first phase of Zone In, the 2024 Zoning Code under Title 34, and the passage of the an accessory dwelling unit ordinance in 2025. The second phase of Zone In is under way with adoption projected for later in 2026.
Outside of Columbus, in the Village of Plain City where Shannon used to reside, Shannon was involved with the Uptown Plain City Organization (UPCO), a charitable organization that promoted uptown development with several annual events, and facilitated grant programs for façade and small business improvements. She held several positions including President during her twelve year tenure with UPCO.
Shannon also served on the Village of Plain City Planning Commission from 2013 to 2020, and served on the Village of Plain City Comprehensive Plan Committee in 2017. In 2017, Shannon was elected as a Member of Council for the Village of Plain City, and served a four-year term. During her tenure with Village Council, Shannon continued to serve on the Planning Commission for two more years, served on the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Design Review Board, approved the Comprehensive Plan and Village of Plain City Charter, allocated Village funds, participated in hiring village personnel, and approved Village purchases, annexations, subdivision plats, code changes, and zoning map amendments.
Real Property Law Institute Series Session 2: The Ethics of Efficiency: Maintaining Accuracy and Accountability in the AI-Age
April 16, 2026, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Live Webinar, 1.0 Professional Conduct CLE Hours
In this session we’ll discuss the importance of maintaining accuracy in our legal work when faced with modern technological temptations to increase efficiency, such as AI programs.
Speaker:
Heather Lee, Esq.
Heather focuses her practice on defending clients facing government investigations and enforcement actions. Heather regularly defends clients facing a broad range of criminal charges and regulatory enforcement actions by state and federal regulators, including the Department of Justice, the PCAOB, the SEC, and states’ attorneys general. Heather also maintains a robust commercial litigation practice. In that regard, Heather represents clients in federal and state courts and before arbitration tribunals in pursuing or defending claims against business adversaries. She also handles appeals before state and federal appellate courts. Heather’s clients particularly appreciate her pragmatic advice and understanding of the realities of their businesses. Heather chairs the AI working group for Foley & Lardner’s securities enforcement and litigation and government enforcement defense and investigations practice groups.
Real Property Law Institute Series Session 3: All Kinds of Kinds – A Discussion on Accommodating Affordable Housing in Central Ohio
April 23, 2026, Noon – 1 pm, 1.0 CLE Hours, Live Webinar
As Columbus continues to experience significant growth, ensuring access to affordable housing remains a key challenge for policymakers, developers, and the legal community. This program will examine how the city is approaching housing affordability as part of its broader development strategy and what legal and regulatory considerations shape those efforts.
• Review of programs and mechanisms to promote affordable housing strategies as a critical component of the City’s growth initiatives.
• Balancing the regulatory and practical challenges of accommodating an appetite for development and preserving space for all of Columbus’ citizens.
Speaker:
Erin Prosser
As the Deputy Director of Housing Strategies for the City of Columbus, Erin Prosser brings nearly two decades of public and private sector experience leading the planning, development and engagement for numerous high-profile projects. She most recently served as the director of community development in the Department of Planning, Architecture and Real Estate at The Ohio State University, where she oversaw the revitalization of Weinland Park – including the addition of nearly 500 affordable housing units – and the 7.5-acre redevelopment of the 15th Avenue and High Street intersection. Prior to her time with the university, she worked as a planner at MKSK Studios, a multi-disciplinary design and planning firm, and served as a planner for Franklin County’s Economic and Planning Department. She holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Bowling Green State University.
Real Property Law Institute Series Session 4: Have You Any Dreams You’d Like to Sell? How Businesses and Municipalities can Make Visions a Reality
April 30, 2026, Noon – 1 pm, Live Webinar, 1.0 CLE Hours
A panel of distinguished speakers will discuss how businesses and municipalities can, and must, work together on a project. With numerous components and critical sequencing, large construction projects can go sideways quickly. Columbus’ real estate attorneys will benefit greatly from the panel’s real-life experience in navigating the legal challenges of bringing a large-scale project to fruition. In a timeline fashion, the panel will cover the crucial steps to take along the way. Some of these steps will include:
• Structuring public–private partnerships and negotiating development agreements between municipalities and private entities.
• Understanding alternative financing tools/options, including tax incentives, bonds, tax increment financing (TIF), and other public funding mechanisms.
• Navigating zoning, land use approvals, and municipal regulatory requirements that impact project timelines.
• Drafting/negotiating/understanding key project documents, including construction contracts, development agreements, and financing arrangements.
• Addressing risk allocation and risk management, including insurance considerations and strategies to prevent disputes.
• Identifying common legal pitfalls in large-scale development projects and practical strategies to keep projects on track.
Speakers:
Amy Taylor
Amy Edwards Taylor has more than 20 years of experience in the field of operations, public policy and communications. Currently, she serves as the President for Downtown Columbus, Inc. In her role, she is responsible for internal operations, leading multiple lines of business. She has played a lead role in the development of city-changing projects, such as the Scioto Mile, Columbus Commons, the Scioto Greenways river revitalization project and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. She currently serves as the project executive for the Scioto Peninsula mixed-use development.
In addition to her position at Downtown Columbus Inc., Ms. Taylor serves as an adjunct professor at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University. She also serves as a board member for the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Campus Partners and National Veterans Memorial and Museum Operations Board.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Taylor was the Vice President of Public Affairs at the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County, Director of Communications with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and Community Relations Specialist with the City of Dublin.
She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from The Ohio State University.
Josh Cartee, Esq.
Josh Cartee is an Assistant City Attorney in the General Counsel Section of the Columbus City Attorney’s Office. Prior to joining the City Attorney’s Office, Josh was an attorney in the Columbus office of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, where he practiced commercial litigation and municipal law, and served as the Solicitor for the Village of Commercial Point. He has been practicing economic development law since 2020, and is well-versed in the processes and components necessary to craft a real estate development deal in the City of Columbus, where he acts as the primary legal adviser to the Economic Development Division of the Department of Development, the Department of Public Service, and Board of Zoning Adjustment. During law school, Josh was as an elected city councilmember for the City of Chillicothe, his hometown. In his spare time, Josh is a semi-professional actor, musician, and composer (ASCAP).
Colin Kalvas, Esq.
Colin Kalvas practices public finance and economic development law. Colin serves political subdivisions, financial institutions, developers and special purpose districts such as special improvement districts and new community authorities in many different capacities. He regularly represents clients in matters related to the issuance of bonds, securities law, federal income tax law, contracts, real property acquisition, development, and governmental revenues.
Colin has been at the forefront of developing property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing in Ohio. His PACE efforts include serving as counsel to PACE administrators and energy special improvement districts throughout Ohio, as well as serving as bond counsel and lender’s counsel to Ohio port authorities and other financial institutions that finance energy efficiency and clean energy projects through PACE.
He is well known within the national PACE community and has spoken at several national PACE conferences. He has extensive experience negotiating, documenting and closing PACE transactions, including as part of complex capital stacks. Colin is frequently called upon to advise PACE capital providers of all kinds with respect to transactional best practices and documentation.
Colin serves on Bricker Graydon Wyatt’s public finance federal income tax support committee. In that Colin serves on Bricker Graydon Wyatt’s public finance federal income tax support committee. In that capacity Colin advises clients on federal income tax issues related to municipal bonds.
Other significant portions of Colin’s practice include port authority common bond fund financing and the negotiation, implementation and monetization of economic development tools like tax increment financing (TIF), special assessments, community redevelopment area (CRA) abatements and new community authority charges.