Local governments influence daily life far more than most people realize—yet their inner workings often remain a mystery. Residents may bristle at tax increases or object to zoning decisions, but they rarely understand the legal and structural reasons those choices are made. Even attorneys who regularly deal with municipal issues may not have a full picture of how local entities function or where their authority begins and ends.

This CLE program takes a fresh, accessible look at the building blocks of local governance. It outlines how municipalities, school districts, and municipal authorities are formed, what powers they hold, and the legal boundaries that limit their actions. Participants will learn how these bodies deliver services, regulate land use, and make decisions that shape communities.

Designed with real estate and land-use practitioners in mind—but valuable for litigators, policy enthusiasts, and anyone curious about local decision-making—the course provides a practical foundation for understanding why local governments operate the way they do and how their choices ripple through the places we live and work.