In addition to municipal law, Sam counsels numerous businesses on general business matters, employment matters, and general litigation matters.
PRESENTATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS:
Sam frequently serves as a guest speaker and provides presentations at conferences. A list of upcoming and past presentations can be found below.
October 19, 2023, 3rd Annual Local Government Symposium- Harrisburg State Capitol Complex
The Past, Present, and Future of Municipal Representation: A Solicitor’s Observations and Forecast
Sam presented his observations and forecasts as a municipal solicitor at the 2023 Local Government Symposium at the Harrisburg Capitol Complex to local government professionals and policymakers including Senators Hutchinson, Dush, Kearney, and Comitta of the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Local Government Commission.
August 2, 2023, PSAB Legal Update- Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey
Reviewing the Current Municipal Legal Landscape
Sam reviewed the current municipal legal landscape with recent case studies and examples from municipal entities across PA.
June 4-7, 2023, PSAB Annual Conference
Municipal Legal Update
Sam presented an interactive, gameshow‐themed presentation that encouraged participants’ input while reviewing different categories of municipal law.
April 24, 2023, PSATS Annual Conference
Municipal Legal Update
Sam presented an interactive, gameshow‐themed presentation that encouraged participants’ input while reviewing different categories of municipal law.
October 2022, PSATS Virtual Conference Workshop
Municipal Legal Jeopardy
Sam presented an interactive, gameshow‐themed presentation that encouraged participants’ input while reviewing different categories of municipal law.
July 27, 2022, PSAB Legal Update- Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey
Municipal Legal Jeopardy
Sam presented an interactive, gameshow‐themed presentation that encouraged participants’ input while reviewing different categories of municipal law.
July 27, 2022, PSAB Annual Conference- Hershey Lodge
What’s On the Agenda? Sunshine Act & Amendments.
The Sunshine Act was amended by Act 65 of 2021 providing new requirements for publishing and posting public meeting agendas and new restrictions on when public bodies may vote on matters not listed in the published agenda. Sam reviewed more about the Act and the penalties for violations.
May 23, 2022, PSAB Annual Conference- Hershey Lodge
Municipal Legal Update
Sam presented an interactive, gameshow‐themed presentation that encouraged participants’ input while reviewing different categories of municipal law.
April 28, 2022, PSAB Classroom Training- Berks County
The Sunshine Act
Sam presented a webinar on the Sunshine Act discussing the right of the public to be present at meetings, as well as advertising and public notice requirements, and new amendments.
March 24, 2022, PSAB Legal Update Montgomery County
The Sunshine Act
Sam presented a webinar on the Sunshine Act discussing the right of the public to be present at meetings, as well as advertising and public notice requirements, and new amendments.
March 9, 2022, PSAB Webinar
American Rescue Plan
Sam presented a webinar with discussion regarding the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and how an allocated $6.15 billion to Pennsylvania counties, metropolitan cities, and local government units can be spent.
February 9, 2022, PSAB Webinar
Understanding the Sunshine Act and Amendments
Sam presented a webinar on the Sunshine Act discussing the right of the public to be present at meetings, as well as advertising and public notice requirements, and new amendments.
December 16, 2021, PSAB Webinar
Municipal Odds and Ends
Sam presented the current municipal legal landscape with case studies and examples from municipal entities across PA.
October 7, 2021, PSATS Annual Conference
Municipal Legal Update
Sam presented an interactive, gameshow‐themed presentation that encouraged participants' input while reviewing different categories of municipal law.
August 10, 2021, PAMA (PA Association of Municipal Administrators) 62nd Annual Conference
Social Media: The New Public Forum
Sam Wiser and Steve Coccorese presented best practices in social media and other public forums.
May 26, 2021 PSATS Virtual Conference Workshop
Social Media: The New Public Forum
Sam Wiser and Steve Coccorese presented best practices in social media and other public forums.
May 20, 2021 PSATS Virtual Conference Workshop
Case Studies in Code Enforcement
Sam Wiser and Zachary Rice presented strategies for challenging property maintenance matters based on their expereince and case studies in municipal law.
February 3, 2021 PSAB Virtual Conference Workshop
The Sunshine Act
Sam presented a webinar on the Sunshine Act discussing the right of the public to be present at meetings, as well as advertising and public notice requirements.
October 20, 2020 PSAB Fall Conference
Managing Municipal Finances During an Emergency
Sam presented this webinar with Laura Beth Kurtz, PhD, Esq. The presentation included discussion of fiscal challenges faced by municipalities, CARES funding, and possible financing solutions for municipalities.
October 19, 2020 PSAB Fall Conference
Pandemic Legalities
Sam’s presentation covered municipal operational considerations in light of the pandemic. This comprehensive presentation included discussion of state and federal COVID guidance as well as best practices for operations during the pandemic.
September 23, 2020 PBI Land Use Institute
Periodic Review and Revisions of Zoning and Comprehensive Use Plan
Sam spoke on a panel with Denny Puko and David Hunter regarding considerations for updating or overhauling land use ordinances. The panel explored current land use challenges and alternate planning tools to accomplish the goals of a municipality.
October 2019 PSATS 2019 Fall Solicitor’s Seminar
Enola, Pennsylvania – Speaker
The Pitfalls of Limiting Public Forums and Public Comment
August 2019 PSAB PA Municipal Legal Update
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Speaker
Municipal Legal Jeopardy
June 2019 PSAB Annual Conference
Hershey, Pennsylvania – Speaker
Municipal Legal Jeopardy
April 2019 PSATS Conference
Hershey, Pennsylvania – Speaker
Case Studies in Code Enforcement
June 2018 PSAB Annual Conference
Hershey, Pennsylvania – Speaker
Municipal Legal Jeopardy
August 2017 PSAB PA Municipal Legal Update
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Speaker
Actions to Avoid Someone Suing Your Municipality
June 2014 Pennsylvania Bar Institute – Land Use Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Speaker
Agricultural and Open Space Preservation
May 2014 Adams County Association of Township Officials, Mid-Year Conference
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – Faculty Speaker
Getting to Know the Right-to-Know Law, Sunshine Act, and Executive Session Legislation
September 2013 Pennsylvania Building Officials Conference
State College, Pennsylvania – Faculty Speaker
Zoning and Building Codes Present Parallel and Entwined Code Requirements
August 2013 PMAA’s Annual Conference and Trade Show
State College, Pennsylvania – Faculty Speaker
Or Equal Bidding Requirements
June 2013 Pennsylvania Bar Institute – Municipal Law Colloquium
Lancaster, Pennsylvania – Faculty Speaker
Borough Code Amendments
December 2012 Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg Pennsylvania – Faculty Speaker
How to Draft an Ordinance
July 2012 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Environmental Requirements & Local Compliance Workshop
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – Faculty Speaker
Tax Exempt Financing
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES:
In 2024, Sam was recognized by City & State PA's “Forty in their Forties” designation. The inaugural listing, published in a special edition of City & State magazine on September 30, 2024, recognizes the forty most influential and thought-provoking leaders and rising stars in their forties across their respective fields in the Commonwealth's public sector. Read more.
PUBLICATIONS:
EDUCATION:
Juris Doctorate (2006)
Honors: Three certificates of achievement (highest grades in Federal Courts, Legislation, and Supreme Court Politics)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
- Franklin County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers
PRACTICE AREAS:
- Municipal Law
- Zoning and Land Use
- Environmental Law
- General Litigation
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chambersburg Office
Tel: 717-263-2121
Email: swiser@salzmannhughes.com