Mark Dickinson of James Madison Audits Confirmed as Speaker for the 1A Auditor Summit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former law enforcement officer and public accountability creator will lead discussion on public records, government transparency, and responsible accountability.
AUSTIN, Texas — June 29, 2026 — The 1A Auditor Summit today announced that Mark Dickinson, the creator behind James Madison Audits, has been confirmed as a speaker for the inaugural 1A Auditor Summit, planned for mid-to-late 2027.
The 1A Auditor Summit is a citizen-centered civil rights education event for First Amendment auditors, transparency creators, public records users, citizen journalists, civil liberties supporters, and everyday people who want to better understand how to document government activity lawfully, request records, preserve evidence, publish responsibly, and hold power accountable.
Dickinson, a former law enforcement officer turned public accountability creator, brings a unique perspective to the Summit. His work through James Madison Audits focuses on government transparency, police accountability, public records, and the importance of citizens using lawful tools to understand how public institutions operate.
At the Summit, Dickinson is expected to contribute to programming focused on public records requests and post-encounter accountability. His session will explore how body camera footage, dispatch logs, incident reports, public policies, council records, and other government documents can turn a single filmed encounter into a fuller accountability record.
“Public records are where a lot of the real accountability happens,” said Mark Dickinson of James Madison Audits. “Having a sharp scalpel with public records knowledge will lead you to the information that otherwise might be difficult to find. And without that scalpel, it can be very expensive. I’m excited to be part of a Summit that helps people learn how to do this work the right way.”
The 1A Auditor Summit is being developed to raise the standard for citizen-side accountability work by bringing together experienced auditors, civil rights attorneys, public records educators, media creators, legal observers, and rights-focused organizations. The event will emphasize calm conduct, lawful observation, de-escalation, public records literacy, evidence preservation, and responsible publishing.
“Mark brings exactly the kind of practical experience we want represented at the Summit,” said Scott Offord, organizer of the 1A Auditor Summit. “He understands both the inside of government and the citizen accountability side. This event is not about rage bait or reckless confrontation. It is about helping people record responsibly, request the records, publish with purpose, and build real accountability in their own communities.”
The Summit’s programming is expected to include sessions on First Amendment rights, Fourth Amendment encounters, right-to-record issues, public forum rules, public records requests, bodycam and dispatch records, creator skills, evidence workflows, and post-encounter follow-through.
Additional confirmed speakers, venue details, ticket information, scholarship opportunities, and media partner announcements will be released as planning continues.
Posted Jun 29, 2026, 11:28 PM UTC