Registration
Registration is open. Please email forum@savingplaces.org if you are registered and have any questions.
National Preservation Law Conference 2025
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
8:30 AM—5:30 PM
D.C. Bar
901 4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Or Online
Preservation law is evolving rapidly in response to recent administrative actions and legal challenges. This year’s National Preservation Law Conference will bring together a roster of national experts as they share timely insights, a broad range of perspectives, and provide strategies for advancing preservation law in a changing landscape.
Make Connections
Come together with your peers and colleagues from across the country to exchange ideas, share success stories and challenge, and collaborate on actionable next steps. This is your chance to network with your peers, making connections to support your work throughout the year.
Can’t make it to D.C.? Join us online!
Professional Development
The National Preservation Law Conference 2025 allows you to enhance your leadership skills to more effectively save the places that matter in your community. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits will be available.
2025 Registration Rates
- Standard Rate: $495
- Discounted Rate for Forum members, Government employees, Students, and DC Bar: $250
- Online Rate: $250
Agenda
Stay tuned for more details and full listing of speakers. This is a confirmed listing of speakers as of September 12, 2025.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Registration and Refreshments
Welcome and Introduction
Shifting Landscapes and The Supreme Court
In this opening presentation, leading cultural resources attorney Marian Werkheiser will review and assess the current state of preservation law and how administrative and judicial changes could affect the landscape for the future of preservation law.
Executive Orders and Agency Actions
This session will discuss recent policies that have been issued by the current administration, including executive orders on shortcutting environmental reviews and restricting museum content on historical interpretation. In addition, the panel will discuss recent Supreme Court cases on agency deference, such as Loper-Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, 603 U. S. 369 (2024), and Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County (U.S. May 29, 2025), and their consequences for preservation law, both opportunities and challenges.
Break
National Monuments
There are serious threats to public lands as a result of the President’s declaration of a national energy emergency. This panel will discuss the current legal theories and challenges related to National Monuments, including Bears Ears, Grand Staircase Escalante, and others.
Government Relations and Legislative Changes
In this session, our experts provide an overview of new legislation, policy, lobbying, and communications, including the ramifications of the new tax codes on preservation.
Networking Lunch (Provided)
Updates on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
This session covers the impact on historic resources of Marin Audubon Society v. FAA (D.C. Cir. Nov. 21, 2024), and Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County (U.S. May 29, 2025). We will discuss CEQ’s recission of its NEPA regulations, the new NEPA regulations being adopted by other federal agencies, and potential legal challenges to those regulations, as well as the increased complexities of attempting to integrate NEPA compliance with Section 106 review.
Conservation Easement Tax Cases
Update on recent developments in conservation easement cases with a focus on cases related to conservation easement syndication transactions.
Break
Changing Standards in Local Law
During this final session, our panel will discuss emerging issues in local historic preservation laws, including state-level preemption laws and changing regulations at all levels.
Closing Remarks
The critical role of preservation lawyers in advocating for historic places, and the National Preservation Lawyers Network.
Closing Reception
Plan Your Trip to DC
- D.C. Bar (901 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001) is within walking distance from the Union Station Metro Station on the Red Line and near several bus lines, as well as the DC Circulator.
- Union Station is also the hub for Amtrak and Marc trains.
- Capital Bikeshare is metro DC's bikeshare service. There are several stations within walking distance of the event space.
- From DCA - Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- Taxi: Approximately $20-$25.
- Metro: Take the Blue Line Metro in the direction of Largo to Metro Center. Change to the Red Line in the direction of Glenmont. Take the Red Line to the Union Station Metro Station.
- From IAD - Washington Dulles International Airport
- Taxi: Approximately $50-$65
- Metro: Take the Silver Line Metro in the direction of Largo to Metro Center. Change to the Red Line in the direction of Glenmont. Take the Red Line to the Union Station Metro Station.
- From BWI - Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Taxi: Approximately $75 – $100
Now is the time for preservation advocates to engage directly with your members of Congress and elevate the importance of historic preservation in your communities.
Get Started