FY26 D.C. FOIA Officer Training

D.C. FOIA OFFICER TRAINING  - 2026 SUMMER SERIES

Annually, the Office of Open Government (OOG) hosts a series of webinars on various D.C.’s Freedom of Information Act (D.C. FOIA) topics for District of Columbia Government FOIA Officers' training and development. The webinar dates for FY26 are July 9, 2026 through August 13, 2026. Each webinar session provides instruction a different D.C. FOIA topic pertinent to the proper implementation of D.C. FOIA law by the District's FOIA Officers. All training records are public and found on OOG's website and YouTube page (except the training by OAG, which is privileged). 

TOPIC LISTING:

July 9, 2026, What Agencies Get Wrong: DC FOIA Exemptions

This webinar was facilitated by OOG’s Attorney Advisor Joan Lelma.  The training was the first in OOG’s FOIA Officers summer webinar series and the session covered misapplication of DC FOIA exemptions and their correct application with selected case law.

July 16, 2026, FY26 DC FOIA Legislation and Litigation Update

This webinar was facilitated by OOG’s Attorney Advisor Anthony J Scerbo and the session covered legislative actions and litigation impacting the D.C. Freedom of Information Act.

July 23, 2026, Contracts, Procurement and DC FOIA

This webinar was facilitated by OOG’s Trial Attorney Brandon Lewis and the session covered contract and procurement records in the context of the D.C. Freedom of Information Act.

July 30, 2026, DC FOIA Appeals: Analysis & Insights

Facilitated by Chief Counsel, Louis Neal, this training covered covered significant issues that have emerged from DC FOIA appeal decisions by the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel (MOLC) over the last year.

August 7, 2026, Electronic Records, Text Messages, and AI: Modern FOIA Challenges

Facilitated by Director Niquelle Allen, this webinar covered the modern challenges FOIA Officers face due to developing technologies. The training covered defining electronic records, including text messages, the use of personal devices for government business, and artificial intelligence's impact on public records. 

August 13, 2026, Preparing for a FOIA Civil Case/Defensive Litigation

Facilitated by the Office of The Attorney General, Civil Litigation Division. Assistant Attorneys General provided information on how to prepare for a FOIA case. 

Note: D.C. FOIA Officers are required to receive at least eight hours of training on D.C. FOIA (D.C. Official Code § 2-538(d)).