Class recorded March 16, 2022

Journalists, scientists, and even many members of Congress have long wondered: Is the federal government hiding information about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP)? The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires the U.S. government to disclose what it knows and what documents it has – but this general requirement is subject to many important exemptions, including national security. Join this discussion to learn about the legal realities behind the UFO controversy. 

Class covers:

• The surprising amount of government information that has been disclosed about UFOs/UAPs, including that available from the CIA’s UFO Reading Room – thanks, in part, to the efforts of activists in FOIA litigation
• What types of government information are subject to “classified” status, and why such information cannot be disclosed under FOIA
• Why FOIA has a national security exemption and what it covers
• Best practices for making a FOIA request, from both the government and requestor perspective
• Library resources available to help you with FOIA issues

Earn 1.0 hour general California participatory MCLE credit: After registration, a staff member will email you the course materials, an evaluation form, and your Certificate of Attendance (usually the next business day). Register first, then watch the recording to the end and answer the questions provided in the popup to verify your attendance.

Presented by: Grace Cheng, Director, Government Practice, Practical Law at Thomson Reuters, Michael Morisy, Cofounder and Chief Executive, Muckrock, and John Greenewald, Founder and Owner of The Black Vault.  

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day).

Registration Fee: $25, Non-refundable.