15 Apr 2025 Amicus Award Recipients
IMLA’s Legal Advocacy program promotes the interests of local government in amicus briefs filed at appellate courts nationally, including state supreme courts, the federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. Through roughly 40 briefs each year, whether filed by IMLA individually, jointly with other jurisdictions and state municipal organizations, or with one more of our associates in the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC)–the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the Government Finance Officers Association, and the International City/County Management Association–IMLA voices the perspectives and concerns of localities nationwide.
Our LGLC briefs are authored primarily for cases before the United States Supreme Court, where we not only file amicus briefs arguing the merits of local governments’ positions in accepted cases, but also file amicus briefs supporting petitions for certiorari—of significance given that the Court only grants cert in about one percent of cases. Regardless of the forum, IMLA’s mission is to provide courts with the information and legal rationale which will lead to a holding in favor of local government.
IMLA can only provide this robust support to local government through the time and talents of many leading appellate practitioners around the country who contribute their authorship on a pro bono basis. We are pleased to honor these outstanding lawyers annually through our IMLA Amicus Awards.
Ames v. Ohio Dep’t of Youth Services (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether, in addition to pleading the other elements of an employment discrimination claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a majority-group plaintiff must show “background circumstances to support the suspicion that the defendant is that unusual employer who discriminates against the majority.”
Nadia Sarkis
Miller Barondess LLP
Partner
Nadia Sarkis is a Partner with Miller Barondess, LLP in Los Angeles. She works with public entity clients to reframe and develop their cases for success in federal and state appellate courts on a broad array of issues, including First Amendment, civil rights, employment, and general tort liability. She frequently appears as amicus curiae in the Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. Nadia received her Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Princeton University. She started her legal career with two appellate clerkships for the Honorable Ferdinand F. Fernandez of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey of the Colorado Supreme Court. She is licensed to practice in California, Illinois, and Colorado.
Ellie Ruth
Miller Barondess LLP
Counsel
Ellie Ruth is an appellate attorney with Miller Barondess, LLP in Los Angeles. Her practice focuses on appeals, writs, and dispositive pre- and post-trial motions on a broad range of legal issues, including premises liability, attorneys fees, contracts, insurance (bad faith, Cumis counsel), product liability, employment, and anti-SLAPP procedures. Ellie has published and presented on a variety of issues, including evidence, expert witnesses, and annual updates on developments in the United States Supreme Court and California courts covering all areas of civil litigation. She is also an Adjunct Professor for LMU Loyola Law School’s Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic—supervising students’ representation of pro bono clients in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She started her career in appellate law following a clerkship for the Honorable Brian M. Hoffstadt of the California Court of Appeal, Second District. Ellie received her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Emory University and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She is licensed to practice in California and Texas.
Kelly Shea Delvac
Miller Barondess LLP
Associate
Kelly Delvac is a litigation and appellate associate with Miller Barondess, LLP in Los Angeles who represents individuals and entities in a wide range of matters. Prior to joining Miller Barondess, Kelly clerked for the Honorable Margo A. Rocconi, Magistrate Judge, U.S. Central District of California. She also worked for the California Supreme Court as a staff attorney in the habeas unit of the criminal division. She received her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Thomas Edison State University. She is licensed to practice in California.
Chiaverini v. Evanoff (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Section 1983-is malicious prosecution claim governed by “charge-specific” rule (government must show probable cause for the specific charge being contested) or “any charge” rule (probable cause for any charge defeats malicious prosecution claim)
Gregory G. Garre
Latham & Watkins LLP
Partner
Gregory Garre is a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP. He previously served as the 44th Solicitor General of the United States from 2008-2009, and before then as Principal Deputy Solicitor General and Assistant to the Solicitor General. He is the only person to have held all of those positions within the Office of the Solicitor General. He has argued 49 cases before the Supreme Court, including SEC v. Cochran, Guam v. United States, Fisher v. University of Texas, and Ashcroft v. Iqbal.
Jordan R. Goldberg
Latham & Watkins LLP
Associate
Jordan Goldberg is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Supreme Court and Appellate Practice. Before joining Latham, Jordan served as a law clerk to Judge Pamela Harris of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Judge Paul A. Engelmayer of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Jordan graduated from Yale Law School, where he served as Managing Editor of the Yale Law Journal, worked in the International Refugee Assistance Project, and spent three years in the Veterans Legal Services Clinic litigating on behalf of disabled veterans seeking access to benefits and corrections of military records.
Joseph E. Sitzmann
Latham & Watkins LLP
Associate
Joseph Sitzmann is a complex-commercial litigation associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins. Joseph rejoined Latham after serving as a law clerk for Judge Timothy J. Kelly of the US District Court for the District of Columbia. From 2021 to 2022, Joseph was an associate at Latham, and from 2020 to 2021, he served as a law clerk to Judge Joel M. Flaum of the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
City and County of San Francisco v. EPA (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether EPA can include generic prohibitions in NPDES permits for compliance with Clean Water Act.
Ana D. Schwab
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Partner and Director of Government Affairs
Ana Schwab is a member of BBK’s Environmental & Natural Resources Law practice group. She represents local communities, special districts, and stakeholders on matters related to water, wastewater, environmental and infrastructure issues, as well as natural disaster mitigation, response, and recovery. Ana draws on her years of experience in government, advocacy, and law to partner with clients to work with a variety of federal agencies and to secure federal funding opportunities. Ana tracks, advances, and guides the development of legislative and regulatory language to build solutions for clients through proactive and strategic engagement. She also operates across the nexus of legal, policy, funding, and regulatory processes to advance and protect clients’ goals.
Accomplishments include playing an instrumental role in the passage of land transfer legislation and amendments to legislation regarding primary water and infrastructure funding and regulatory policy, as well as other pieces of legislation and amendments. Additionally, Ana secured federal funding for water, wastewater and recycling projects. She works with key stakeholders on developing funding and infrastructure solutions for cross-border water pollution.
Before joining Best Best & Krieger LLP, Ana served as a legislative coordinator and legislative assistant at two national law firms. She also served as professional staff for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Shawn D. Hagerty
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Partner
Shawn Hagerty works with public agencies in California and throughout the United States to solve complex legal problems, with an emphasis on federal and state water quality and water supply laws. His years of experience serving as both general and special counsel to public agencies give him a deep understanding of the best practices, trends and approaches necessary to obtain permits for, and successfully implement, small and large-scale water quality and water supply projects. Because of Shawn’s experience as a city attorney, a unique aspect of his practice is his focus on the relationship between land use and water.
Water Quality
Shawn’s practice involves helping his public agency clients assess and comply with the numerous federal and state water quality regulations. This includes work under the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the state equivalents to these federal laws. He advises clients regarding the obtaining of, and compliance with, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and represents clients in administrative actions regarding such permits. His work includes stormwater permits, industrial permits (including construction), permits for publicly owned treatment works, water supply permits and 404 permits/401 certifications. It also includes related work triggered by the Endangered Species Act and other federal and state environmental laws that are involved in water quality and water supply projects. Shawn works with the Environmental Protection Agency and state water quality officials on these matters.
Municipal Law and Land Use
In addition to his water quality and water supply experience, Shawn provides both general and special counsel services to California cities and public agencies regarding general governance and land use issues. Since 2003, Shawn has served as city attorney for the City of Santee, Calif. Since 2009, he has also served as corporate counsel to Civic San Diego, a nonprofit corporation that provides permitting, economic development and project management services to the City of San Diego in specific portions of the City. As counsel to these and other California entities, Shawn has developed experience in governance and land use matters applicable to California cities and public agencies.
Shawn is president of the City Attorneys Association of San Diego. He has taught land use and planning classes at the University of California, San Diego Extension, and presents at seminars for organizations such as the California Stormwater Quality Association, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the International Municipal Lawyers Association, the Texas City Attorneys Association, the Association of California Water Agencies, the California County Counsels Association, the Association of Environmental Professionals and other planning organizations.
Andre Monette
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Partner
Andre Monette is a member of the Environmental & Natural Resources practice group in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s (BBK) Washington, D.C. office. Andre works extensively with water districts, cities, counties and agricultural interests, and other private entities on matters involving the water supply, water quality and infrastructure funding. Representative matters include the following:
• Advising the California Department of Water Resources on matters involving federal funding, water supply, environmental regulation and interfacing with the federal government.
• Testifying before the United States Environmental and Public Works Committee on the jurisdictional reach of the Clean Water Act.
• Testifying before the United States House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee on the impacts of proposed legislation relating to salmon conservation.
• Filing multiple briefs with the United States Supreme Court in cases involving the Clean Water Act and water supply.
• Representing a municipality in matters involving cross border sewage flows, resulting in nearly $700 million in appropriations from the United States, and $140 million from Mexico.
• Representing farmers, water asset managers and private investors in matters involving water rights and construction of major water storage and conveyance infrastructure.
• Defending public utilities in multiple enforcement actions brought by EPA, the California Water Resources Control Boards and environmental groups.
• Representing cities and public utilities in matters involving PFOA and PFAS “forever chemicals.”
• Representing clients on complex water rights matters including adjudicated stream systems and federal reserve water rights.
City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether ordinance prohibiting camping in public parks violates Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment
Brandon Rain
Seattle, Washington
Assistant City Attorney
Brandon Rain has served as Legal Project Counsel for the Seattle City Attorney since 2023. Brandon joined the office in 2022 as part of the Constitutional and Complex Litigation team, representing the city and its police officers in § 1983 civil rights actions. Prior to that, Brandon practiced criminal defense for 10 years and served as a full-time public defender from 2013 to 2021. In his free time Brandon enjoys golf, spending time in the mountains, and University of Washington football.
E.M.D. Sales v. Carrera (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether the burden of proof that employers must satisfy to demonstrate the applicability of a FLSA exemption is a mere preponderance of the evidence or clear and convincing evidence.
Colin D. Dougherty
Fox Rothschild
Partner
An experienced litigator, Colin handles a range of employment and complex commercial disputes for clients across the United
States.
He regularly represents clients in the telecommunications, staffing, construction, insurance, cable/satellite television, energy and health care industries in a wide array of litigation matters, including class action defense, wage and hour litigation, insurance disputes, TCPA litigation, ERISA claims and litigation, health care litigation and construction law.
Additionally, Colin counsels clients on compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and hour laws.
Colin serves as the Litigation Department Administrator in the firm’s Blue Bell office and previously served as the Practice Management Partner of the firm’s national Labor & Employment Department.
FCC v. Consumers’ Research (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether FCC’s Universal Service Fund and/or FCC’s appointment of Universal Service Administrative Company to calculate percentages and distribute funds violates antidelegation rules.
Tillman L. Lay
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Partner
Tillman L. Lay is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Best Best & Krieger. He specializes in representing local governments and other public sector clients on broadband, telecommunications, wireless siting, cable television, public safety, rights-of-way franchising, tax, property law, constitutional law, antitrust and other federal law matters. He has represented clients before the FCC, Congress, and the courts, including the Supreme Court and several Courts of Appeals. He has filed amicus briefs on behalf of IMLA and the Local Government Legal Center in three Supreme Court cases. He represented local government clients in Sprint Corp. v FCC (9th Cir.), consolidated appeals of the FCC’s 2018 orders relating to small cell facilities, and City of Eugene v. FCC (6th Cir.), one of several appeals of the FCC’s 2019 order concerning cable franchise fees. He also represented the National Hispanic Media Coalition in Mozilla Corp. v. FCC, 940 F.3d 1 (D.C. Cir. 2019), the consolidated appeals of the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order. He has testified before a House Subcommittee on behalf of National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and the Government Finance Officers Association concerning legislation that would have imposed a moratorium on state and local cell phone taxes. He also represented those associations in negotiations that led to the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act of 2000, 4 U.S.C. §§ 116 et seq. He received his undergraduate degree with highest honors from the University of Tennessee, and he is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. After law school, he clerked for the Honorable John C. Godbold, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Bennett A. Givens
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Of Counsel
Bennett A. Givens is an associate at Best Best & Krieger LLP who focuses on telecommunications, land use and real estate. He regularly assists clients in California and across the country with a wide range of regulatory and transactional matters involving broadband and fiber networks, cable and telecom franchising, leases and licenses, wireless communications and public-private partnerships.
Bennett primarily represents public agencies, cooperatives, nonprofits and small competitive providers on a wide range of issues related to telecommunications infrastructure.
While earning his law degree at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, Bennett served as chief research editor for the Entertainment Law Review.
Gregory M. Caffas
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Associate
Gregory M. Caffas is an associate in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s (BBK) Telecommunications Practice. He serves public and private clients in a broad range of telecommunications litigation, transactional, and regulatory matters involving broadband and fiber networks, cable and telecom franchising, leases and licenses, wireless communications and public-private partnerships.
Greg has notable experience handling complex civil litigation, with a focus on wireless siting, Telephone Consumer Protection Act defense, VoIP and telecommunications compliance, and commercial litigation. He has litigated matters in state and federal courts throughout the country, as well as before the FCC. Greg utilizes his litigation background to devise strategic solutions tailored to his clients’ specific needs. Having litigated a multitude of individual, class-action and government-enforcement suits, Greg is well equipped to counsel clients to find solutions both in and out of the courtroom.
Greg’s transactional practice includes assisting clients with drafting and negotiating cable and telecommunications franchise agreements, telecommunications facility leases and licenses, conduit licenses, and pole attachment agreements.
Greg also has an extensive background in regulatory advice and advocacy. He regularly provides advice regarding compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, especially concerning wireless siting, shot clocks and other regulations governing permit applications. His practice also includes drafting and revising local codes, applications, and processes governing wireless facilities siting and right of way permitting. Greg has also assisted clients in filing comments in proceedings before the FCC and NTIA.
In 2023 and 2024, Greg was named a Super Lawyers® “Rising Star” for his practice in civil litigation, communications, and media and advertising.
Greg is admitted to practice in the US District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the US Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Sixth Circuits, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Greg is originally from Pittsburgh and is an avid Penguins and Steelers fan. In his free time, Greg enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and son, especially to visit national parks.
Garland v. VanderStok (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether ATF interpretation of Gun Control Act of 1968 that the terms “firearm” and “frame or receiver” include ghost guns is a violation of the APA.
John J. Korzen
Wake Forest School of Law Appellate Advocacy Clinic
Director of the Appellate Advocacy Clinic/Associate Professor of Legal Writing
John Korzen is the Director of the Appellate Advocacy Clinic at Wake Forest University School of Law. Korzen is certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in Appellate Practice. He has argued in the Supreme Court of the United States, Fourth Circuit, Eleventh Circuit, North Carolina Supreme Court, and North Carolina Court of Appeals; supervised oral arguments by 58 third-year law students in various appellate courts; and filed numerous amicus briefs. Before joining the law school faculty, Korzen served as a law clerk for the late Sam J. Ervin, III, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and practiced at two law firms. Before law school, Korzen taught in public schools for six years. He and his wife Catherine were married 42 years ago this July.
Gonzalez v. Trevino (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether, to fall within the Nieves exception to the rule that probable cause bars a retaliatory arrest claim, specific comparator evidence is required, or will a showing of more generalized objective evidence satisfy the exception?
C. Harker Rhodes IV
Clement & Murphy PLLC
Partner
Harker Rhodes is a partner at Clement & Murphy, PLLC, whose practice focuses on Supreme Court and appellate litigation. He is an accomplished oral advocate who has argued cases in multiple federal and state appellate courts, and he has written successful briefs in numerous U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate, and state appellate cases, including high-stakes appeals with hundreds of millions of dollars on the line. His experience has earned him recognition by Legal 500 U.S. as an “up-and-coming name” in appellate practice, as well as repeated inclusion in Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation. Harker served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court, Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Judge Rya W. Zobel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Law School.
Mariel A. Brookins
U.S. Chamber Litigation Center
Counsel
Mariel Brookins is counsel at the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center, the litigation arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she handles a variety of litigation matters for the Chamber.
Before joining the Litigation Center, Brookins practiced as a litigation associate at Clement & Murphy, PLLC and in the appellate practice at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She represented clients across a variety of industries, including the energy, transportation, pharmaceutical, public employee, and retail sectors with a focus on appellate litigation and constitutional and statutory matters.
Earlier in her career, Brookins served as a law clerk to then-Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Kevin C. Newsom.
Brookins graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where she was executive articles editor for the Michigan Law Review and the problem composition chair for the Campbell Moot Court Competition. She received her B.A. in business and economics from Wheaton College and her M.B.A. from Grand Valley State University. Prior to attending law school, Brookins worked as a tax CPA at PwC in Chicago.
Lackey v. Stinnie (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether Section 1988 attorney’s fees are recoverable by parties for injunctive or other relief which is not final or conclusive.
Joshua Skinner
Arlington, Texas
Senior Attorney
Joshua Skinner is an assistant city attorney with the City of Arlington. Before joining the City Attorney’s Office, he spent more than a decade litigating on behalf of cities, counties, school districts, and public officials at Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, PC, and then went in-house at the University of Dallas, where he oversaw a wide variety of legal compliance matters, including all civil rights and Title IX compliance.
Benjamin Gibbs
Arlington, Texas
Assistant City Attorney
Benjamin Gibbs is an attorney who has practiced municipal and appellate law. He has represented cities across the state of Texas in litigation, appeals, and employment matters since 2017. Benjamin is a Texas native who graduated from Baylor Law School.
McGlaughlin Chiropractic Associates Inc. v. McKesson Corp. (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether the Hobbs Act required the district court in this case to accept the Federal Communications Commission’s legal interpretation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Bryan Weir
Consovoy McCarthy PLLC
Partner
Bryan Weir is an experienced litigator who focuses on constitutional and regulatory matters. He has particular expertise in cases involving the First and Fourteenth Amendments, civil rights statutes, and challenges to federal agency actions. He has briefed and presented oral argument in state and federal courts across the country, including in the Supreme Court of the United States. He was trial counsel and part of the team that prevailed before the Supreme Court in the landmark case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard College and University of North Carolina. He was also trial counsel in a high-profile housing discrimination case against a municipality in Westchester County, NY, which resulted in one of the largest recoveries by a single plaintiff in the history of the Fair Housing Act.
Since 2015, Mr. Weir has been an adjunct professor for the Administrative Law and Supreme court clinics at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. He is a member of the Texas, Virginia, and California bars. Mr. Weir lives in Houston, Texas with his family.
Tiffany H. Bates
Consovoy McCarthy PLLC
Associate
Tiffany Bates is an associate at Consovoy McCarthy PLLC. Ms. Bates assists clients with a variety of litigation and appellate matters that encompass constitutional law, administrative law, and commercial litigation. Before joining the firm, Ms. Bates was a law clerk to Judge Kyle Duncan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She previously served as a Legal Policy Analyst at the Heritage Foundation, where she researched and wrote about the courts, judicial nominations, and various constitutional issues. She earned her B.A. magna cum laude in Politics from Hillsdale College, and her J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. Ms. Bates is a member of the Virginia Bar.
Perttu v. Richards (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether inmate can receive jury trial as to whether he satisfied administrative exhaustion requirements of the Prison Litigation Reform Act.
F. Andrew Hessick
University of North Carolina School of Law
Wiley Rein LLP
Judge John J. Parker Distinguished Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Strategy & Planning
Andy Hessick is the Judge John J. Parker Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina School of Law. He is co-director of the Supreme Court Program, which provides an opportunity for law students to work on cases before the United States Supreme Court.
Richard A. Simpson
University of North Carolina School of Law
Wiley Rein LLP
Adjunct Professor of Law
Rick Simpson is a partner with Wiley Rein, LLP in Washington, D.C, He has a national practice focusing on representing lawyers and other professionals in malpractice claims, defending insurers in coverage and “bad faith” litigation, and representing clients in commercial litigation. He also represents lawyers in disciplinary proceedings, provides legal ethics advice to law firms, has served as an expert witness on legal ethics and insurance coverage, and is Deputy General Counsel at Wiley. He also has an active pro bono practice.
Rick has acted as lead counsel for trials in the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, New York, Texas, and Virginia, as well as for arbitration hearings. On the appellate side, Rick has presented oral argument in the Supreme Court of the United States; 10 of the federal courts of appeals; the Supreme Courts of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Ohio; and state intermediate appellate courts in California, Florida, Maryland, New York, and Texas.
Rick is an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he is the co-director of the Supreme Court Program, which operates as a clinic in which students assist in preparing submissions to the United States Supreme Court. From 2003 to 2017, Rick was an Adjunct Instructor in Trial Advocacy at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Stanley v. City of Sanford (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether former employee can sue under Title I of the ADA for discrimination in post-employment denial of earned benefits.
Meaghan VerGow
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Partner
Meaghan VerGow is the firmwide co-chair of the Securities Litigation and Financial Services Practice at O’Melveny & Myers. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, she clerked for both the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.
A highly regarded litigator, Meaghan represents clients in complex commercial litigation and class actions at both the trial and appellate levels. She also advises on legal, policy, and regulatory matters. Chambers USA reports that clients consider her “impressive” and “very smart and strategic,” with a knack for thinking through “the best arguments.”
Meaghan has briefed and argued cases in federal and state courts across the nation, and has obtained multiple unanimous Supreme Court victories. Her areas of focus include health care, administrative law, insurance law, federal jurisdiction and preemption, constitutional law, ERISA, and securities law. She also maintains an active First Amendment practice.
Timur Akman-Duffy
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Associate
Timur Akman-Duffy is a litigation associate at O’Melveny & Myers. He earned his degrees from the University of Chicago and Yale Law School, and clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Timur’s practice covers a broad range of litigation matters, including financial services, mass torts, and administrative law. He has also co-authored briefs before federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, he maintains an active pro bono practice, which includes family law, immigration law, and local legal matters.
Nina Oat
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Associate
Virginia (Nina) Oat is a litigation associate at O’Melveny & Myers. She earned her degrees from Tufts University and the University of Virginia School of Law, and clerked for Judge Loren L. AliKhan on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and Judge Michael F. Urbanski on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
Nina’s practice covers a range of litigation matters, including appellate cases and insurance coverage disputes. She has also co-authored briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, she maintains an active pro bono practice, including matters related to state and local government.
Carly Reed
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Associate
Carly Reed is a litigation associate at O’Melveny & Myers. She earned her degrees from U.C. Berkeley and Georgetown University Law Center, and clerked for both the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Carly’s practice spans a range of litigation matters, including mass torts and healthcare. She also maintains an active pro bono practice, including local law matters.
Baltimore County v. Scott (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether prisoners working at offsite recycling facility are “employees” entitled to minimum wages under the FLSA.
Christopher C. Jeffries
Kramon & Graham P.A.
Principal
Chris Jeffries is a trial lawyer with a broad litigation practice, focusing primarily on commercial and personal injury litigation. Chris has tried several jury and bench trials to verdict and successfully briefed or argued in the appellate courts of Maryland.
Chris has represented businesses in litigation matters, including breaches of contract and business defamation. Chris also has significant experience defending individuals and businesses in personal injury actions, particularly claims against property owners for alleged lead paint exposure. Chris also has significant trial experience representing police officers for alleged civil rights violations.
Steven M. Klepper
Kramon & Graham P.A.
Principal
Steve Klepper is a leader of Maryland’s appellate bar and a longtime insurance coverage litigator. Through his written and oral advocacy, Steve builds human connections to make his clients heard and to persuade judges. The Maryland State Bar Association Section of Litigation named him 2024 Litigator of the Year.
Steve’s appellate practice includes civil, criminal, and family appeals of every kind, including disability rights, commercial disputes, professional liability, employment law, real estate development, administrative law, land use, white-collar crimes, and high-net-worth divorces. He works collaboratively with trial counsel on all phases of civil and criminal appeals, including briefing, emergency motions, oral argument, certiorari practice, and trial preservation. Steve also provides “”off brief”” consulting to law firms with appeals pending in the Maryland appellate courts. He co-edits Maryland’s leading appellate practice treatise and founded the Maryland Appellate Blog.
Steve has represented property and casualty insurers for over two decades, including advice and litigation as to a wide range of first-party and third-party coverages. Because many judges, like most lawyers, are unfamiliar with insurance, Steve seeks to educate, not just persuade, when briefing insurance coverage disputes. He has published many articles and book chapters on insurance coverage litigation.
Steve joined Kramon & Graham in 2001 following a summer associate clerkship in 2000.
B. Summer Hughes Niazy
Kramon & Graham P.A.
Principal
Summer Hughes Niazy practices in the firm’s litigation section. Her civil practice includes a variety of commercial litigation matters in areas such as complex business litigation, employment, contract disputes, and construction litigation. She also has experience defending healthcare providers in licensing actions before the various professional boards under Maryland’s Department of Health.
Summer represents clients in federal and state courts, and in arbitrations, mediations, and before administrative agencies. Her geographic focus is Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Before joining Kramon & Graham, Summer clerked for the Honorable Stephanie A. Gallagher, United States Magistrate Judge.
During law school, Summer practiced as a student attorney in the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Immigration Clinic, representing clients before the U.S. Immigration Court and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She served as Executive Technology Editor of the Journal of Business and Technology Law. Summer was also selected as a Writing Fellow and Rose Zetzer Fellow in the Women and Leadership Program.
Before becoming a lawyer, Summer worked as a print and web editor in the publishing industry and at Harvard University.
Guerra v. Aleman (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether QI applies where officer fired when suspect was arguably in a “position fo surrender” and case establishing that violation arose AFTER the police shooting
Patrick M. Kane
Fox Rothschild LLP
Partner
Patrick M. Kane is a Partner in Fox Rothschild’s Greensboro and Charlotte offices. He is an experienced trial attorney and Certified Appellate Specialist whose practice includes high-stakes commercial litigation, municipal litigation and appellate law. He helps clients overcome legal challenges so they can focus on their business. Patrick helps clients solve complex business disputes involving significant claims across a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on health care litigation. He regularly represents clients in multimillion-dollar contract disputes and extra-contractual commercial tort claims before judges in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, North Carolina Business Court and North Carolina Superior Courts. Municipalities facing litigation turn to Patrick to defend their interests against allegations of civil rights violations, police misconduct, employment discrimination, breach of contract and other claims. Patrick is an experienced advocate, well versed in handling both the legal aspects of municipal litigation and the accompanying crisis management challenges. Patrick is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law, where he is an adjunct professor of business and commercial torts. He is a member of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, Chief Justice Joseph Branch Inn of Court, Federal Bar Association Middle District of North Carolina Chapter, North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys and Defense Research Institute.
Marks v. Bauer (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether officer’s use of less-lethal force to repel protestor who had attacked fellow officer is a “seizure” and/or constitutes excessive force under the Fourth Amendment.
David J. Zoll
Lockridge, Grindal, Nauen PLLP
Partner
David Zoll specializes in complex litigation matters and appeals. He frequently represents governmental entities and businesses in high-profile cases involving environmental, business, and constitutional law. His environmental law practice includes representation of clients in matters relating to environmental contamination, energy development, and environmental review under state and federal law. David also has a specialized practice in political law. He advises political parties, candidates, and independent organizations on compliance with complex and ever-changing regulations. David is an adjunct professor with the University of Minnesota Law School where he teaches an Advanced Environmental Law seminar. David was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law and Politics from 2011 to 2017 and as a “Super Lawyer” from 2022 to 2024.
Michael J. K. M. Kinane
Lockridge, Grindal, Nauen PLLP
Associate
Michael Kinane is an associate at Lockridge Grindal Nauen, where his practice focuses on antitrust law. Before entering private practice, Michael clerked for Associate Chief Justice John A. Pearce at the Utah Supreme Court. Michael graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2023. During law school, Michael also earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs and successfully represented the State of Minnesota in criminal appeals before the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He earned his B.A. from UC Berkeley in 2017.
Nelson v. Sellers (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether statements about motivation for prior violence are sufficient to support Fourteenth Amendment claim for deliberate indifference and deny Qualified Immunity.
Christopher D. Balch
Balch Law Group
Partner
Chris Balch has more than 30 years of experience bridging gaps and building consensus so local government leaders can navigate complex legal matters, encourage economic development, and foster community investment. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, Chris brings the skills, discipline, and mission focus he learned to the challenges and opportunities your community faces.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Mercer University Law School. He clerked for United States District Judge Duross Fitzpatrick in the Middle District of Georgia for 2 years before entering private practice. He moved to Atlanta in 1996.
He is also an acknowledged and sought-after expert and speaker at programs for local government lawyers across the Country. His legal scholarship regularly appears in newsletters and professional journals, including Municipal Lawyer. He is an IMLA Local Government Fellow and member of the IMLA Board of Directors. He has been the chair or co-chair of the Litigation Committee for IMLA since 2020. He served as City Attorney for the City of Brookhaven for 8 years and has represented local government officials and law enforcement officers throughout his career. He is currently City Attorney for Pine Lake, Georgia.
Tekoh v. Vega (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether expert testimony which supports defendant’s credibility rather than addressing legality of interrogation techniques should be admissible.
Michael T. Raupp
Husch Blackwell LLP
Partner
Michael assists clients with appellate proceedings, complex litigation and high-stakes regulatory disputes.
He regularly advises organizations on constitutional, statutory and procedural issues, including the First Amendment, the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), the False Claims Act (FCA), class certification, federal jurisdiction, immunity and due process.
Michael has specific experience navigating litigation and challenging regulatory compliance matters for colleges and universities, including Titles IV, VI and IX of the Higher Education Act, First Amendment free-speech protections for students and faculty, and student discipline. He has worked with both public and private institutions to achieve successful resolutions.
As a former federal appellate law clerk, Michael maintains a robust appellate practice, counseling clients through all stages of appeals including briefing and oral argument. He has helped clients secure significant judgments in federal and state appellate courts throughout the country. Michael also drafts amicus briefs in important appellate cases, assisting organizations in having their voices heard on critical legal issues.
Before attending law school, Michael was an investment analyst at an asset-management firm that focused on investments in China. While there, he focused on evaluating the current operations and growth plans for numerous businesses, providing him a unique perspective when advising on business and finance disputes. Michael has assisted businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 public companies and major research institutions, defending their interests in contract disputes, trade-secret litigation and consumer disputes.
Ben Stephens
Husch Blackwell LLP
Partner
Ben takes a tactical, goal-oriented and creative approach to client public law and litigation matters.
Ben represents a broad range of public and private clients in state and federal court. As a Houston public law attorney, he keeps the
big picture in mind, including clients’ long-term goals, priorities and public relation needs.
A major focus of Ben’s practice is public law and real-estate law. He represents government entities, private companies and public officials in cases related to eminent domain, zoning and land use, title litigation, and civil rights litigation, as well as other matters of public policy. Ben also provides government relations advice to public-sector clients.
Ben has experience with commercial litigation and arbitration matters for a range of industry clients, covering disputes in the real estate, oil and gas, automotive, construction and specialty manufacturing industries.
Sebastian Waisman
Husch Blackwell LLP
Senior Counsel
With a focus on public law, Sebastian advises local governments and other public entities, as well as clients who do business with the
government.
Sebastian has experience counseling both public and private clients regarding a wide range of matters, including land use and development regulation, municipal finance, redistricting and elections, and Freedom of Information Act and Public Information Act disclosure. He has also assisted in the handling of complex litigation involving challenging questions of constitutional law and governmental structure, statutory interpretation, administrative law, and federal jurisdiction and procedure.
Sebastian previously served as an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. His years in Charlottesville gave him an in-depth understanding of local government and the unique concerns and challenges with which local officials routinely grapple. He knows how public officials and entities think and operate, positioning him well to represent both local governments and those who need to do business with them. Sebastian’s experience in Charlottesville also taught him how outside counsel can play a critical role in supporting public client needs.
He has served as a law clerk to Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge Janis L. Sammartino of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
Addison May
Husch Blackwell LLP
Associate
Addy takes pride in zealously advocating for others. She recognizes the intricate and complex nature of the law, yet she is adept at strategically addressing these issues to obtain the best possible outcomes for clients.
Addy leverages her written advocacy skills to represent clients in a variety of legal matters. Her experience includes handling cases involving fiduciary litigation, various business litigation disputes, and state court appeals.
Addy previously worked alongside the Innocence Project of Texas through the Innocence Clinic at Texas Tech University School of Law. There, she assisted wrongfully convicted individuals with their post-conviction litigation matters at both the state and federal levels, gaining significant proficiency in drafting motions, briefs, proposed findings of fact, and conclusions of law, among other things. However, most critically, this experience honed her ability to provide emotional support and guidance to clients during high-stakes situations. Her law school years also included two summers at Husch Blackwell and an internship with a Texas health system.
Known for her strong work ethic, reliability, and detail-oriented approach, Addy generates creative, practical solutions for clients.
Spencer Tolson
Husch Blackwell LLP
Associate
Spencer advocates for clients in complex commercial litigation matters.
Spencer clerked for the Eastern District of Kentucky and the District of Guam, as well as for the Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit. Those experiences provided him valuable insight to judicial processes, and with them, Spencer now assists clients in all forms of litigation.
Barrani v. Salt Lake City (Utah Supreme Court)
Issue: Whether City has duty to specific City residents and businesses regarding homeless encampments, or public duty doctrine applies.
Gardner v. Salt Lake City (Utah Supreme Court)
Issue: Whether collteral source rule should apply to prevent evidence that neither plaintiff nor any other party paid “chargemaster” list prices for medical services .
Freyja R. Johnson
The Appellate Group
Partner
Freyja Johnson co-founded The Appellate Group in 2020, and the firm has since grown to become the largest appellate law firm in Utah, handling around 20 percent of appeals in Utah’s appellate courts. Freyja handles civil and criminal appeals in Utah’s appellate courts, as well as the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and she does motion work and consulting in the district courts.
Before founding The Appellate Group, Freyja worked as an appellate attorney at Zimmerman Booher, a boutique appellate law firm in Utah. She also completed a teaching and research fellowship at the Brigham Young University law school, clerked for Judge Ebel on the Tenth Circuit, and clerked for Chief Justice Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court. She graduated from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Order of the Coif, where she served as the editor-in-chief of the Utah Law Review.
In addition to her work at The Appellate Group, Freyja teaches law school courses and is actively involved with the Utah State Bar. She has taught Appellate Brief Writing, Evidence, Torts, and Employment Law at the BYU law school. She has also served as a moot court competition coach and a supervising attorney for BYU’s appellate clinic. Freyja currently serves as the treasurer of the Litigation Section of the Utah State Bar, a member of the executive committee of the Appellate Practice Section, and a member of the Committee on Model Utah Criminal Jury Instructions.
Cicero v. Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (Pennsylvania Supreme Court)
Issue: Whether Commonwealth Court’s reversal of PUC approval of CPC for Township’s sale of wastewater system to private purchaser violates home rule by second-guessing Township’s approval.
Scott E. Coburn
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Education Director/Counsel
Scott E. Coburn is Education Director & Counsel for the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, which represents more than 1,450 townships with nearly 6 million residents. He oversees PSATS’ comprehensive municipal education and training programs while providing representation and advice on all legal matters affecting PSATS. He also manages the Township Solicitors Association and coordinates the efforts of the Township Legal Defense Partnership, which files amicus curiae briefs on issues impacting municipal governments. Prior to joining PSATS, Scott was in private practice, where he focused primarily on litigation, labor and employment, and environmental matters. He holds a law degree with honors from The George Washington University Law School and bachelor’s degrees with honors in Economics and Political Science from James Madison University.
City and County of of Baltimore v. BP PLLC (Maryland Appeal Court)
Issue: Whether state law deceptive marketing suit against oil companies is preempted by federal Clean Air Act.
Robert S. Peck
Center for Constitutional Litigation, P.C.
Founder and President
Robert S. Peck is the founder and president of the Center for Constitutional Litigation, PC, a Washington, DC appellate law firm with a nationwide practice. Peck has argued precedent-setting civil rights and civil liberties cases in courts throughout the Nation, including in the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as 26 state supreme courts. He has taught advanced constitutional law seminars at the law schools of George Washington University and American University. He serves as a member of the advisory committee of the Civil Justice Research Institute at UC Berkeley Law School. He is also a past chair of the Board of Advisors of the RAND Corporation’s Institute for Civil Justice, past president of the U.S. Supreme Court Fellows Alumni Association, past president of the Freedom to Read Foundation, and a former board member of both the National Center for State Courts and the National Constitution Center. His latest book, written with Professor Anthony Champagne, is Supreme Anecdotes: Tales from the Supreme Court (Rand-Smith Books 2024). Among the other books he has written are The Bill of Rights and the Politics of Interpretation (West 1991); To Govern a Changing Society (Smithsonian 1990); and We the People: The Constitution in American Life (Abrams 1987), companion volume to the award-winning PBS documentary series he helped produce. He is a contributing editor to the Appellate Advocacy Blog of the Law Professor Blog Network.
City of Milton v. Chang (Georgia Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether city is liable for injury to motorist who collides with object in right of way; definition of “roadway,” scope of ministerial duty, governmental immunity.
Christopher D. Balch
Balch Law Group
Partner
Chris Balch has more than 30 years of experience bridging gaps and building consensus so local government leaders can navigate complex legal matters, encourage economic development, and foster community investment. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, Chris brings the skills, discipline, and mission focus he learned to the challenges and opportunities your community faces.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Mercer University Law School. He clerked for United States District Judge Duross Fitzpatrick in the Middle District of Georgia for 2 years before entering private practice. He moved to Atlanta in 1996.
He is also an acknowledged and sought-after expert and speaker at programs for local government lawyers across the Country. His legal scholarship regularly appears in newsletters and professional journals, including Municipal Lawyer. He is an IMLA Local Government Fellow and member of the IMLA Board of Directors. He has been the chair or co-chair of the Litigation Committee for IMLA since 2020. He served as City Attorney for the City of Brookhaven for 8 years and has represented local government officials and law enforcement officers throughout his career. He is currently City Attorney for Pine Lake, Georgia.
Andy Davis
David Lucas Carter, LLP
Partner
J. Anderson (Andy) Davis is a founding partner of Davis Lucas Carter, LLP, specializing in complex business litigation, personal injury, governmental official liability, and class actions. He serves as City Attorney for the City of Rome, lead attorney for the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority, and outside General Counsel for Shorter University.
In 2016, Andy was named a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in the U.S. Since 2006, he has been named a Georgia Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Magazine and Atlanta Magazine. He serves as an active member of Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, and member of the International Municipal Lawyers Association. Andy has been co-counsel or lead counsel in over 350 cases in the federal courts. He has tried numerous cases in federal and superior courts.
Active in the community throughout his time in Rome, Andy has received many community and civic awards for his leadership. He was one of the first recipients of the Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Benham Awards for Community Service. Currently he is President of the University of Georgia Law School Alumni Association and a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia.
Andy, an Eagle Scout, received the Silver Beaver Award from the Northwest Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was honored with a Heart of the Community Award, presented by the Heart of the Community Foundation and Redmond Regional Medical Center to unsung heroes. He has served as chairman of the board for Leadership Georgia, an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law. He is married to the former Janice Jetton who graduated from the University of Alabama; she is a CPA with Whittington, Jones, & Rudert CPA firm in Rome. They have two adult children.
Thomas M. Mitchell
Carothers & Michaels
Member
Thomas M. Mitchell is a partner of the law firm of Carothers & Mitchell, LLC, located in Buford. He serves as city attorney for Demorest and Hiawassee, while his firm represents several other cities. Mr. Mitchell represents various counties in the areas of civil rights, land use, eminent domain and nuisance. His litigation practice includes representation of numerous cities and counties, as well as several small businesses and individuals. Mr. Mitchell also represents clients with regard to real estate, zoning and permitting, access and boundary disputes, construction, and foreclosure. Another significant part of his practice is representing law enforcement officers and agencies in Section 1983 litigation. Mr. Mitchell earned his undergraduate degree, with distinction, from the University of Virginia and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia Law School.
Cullen B. Threlkeld
Carothers & Michaels
Associate
Cullen B. Threlkeld, born in Valdosta, Georgia; Admitted to the bar in 2021, Georgia; Supreme Court of Georgia, Court of Appeals of Georgia, U.S. District Court for the Northen District of Georgia.
City of Seattle v. Kia/Hyundai (Ninth Circuit)
Issue: Whether failure to install auto anti-theft devices is actionable public nuisance.
Charlene Koski
Van Ness Feldman LLP
Partner
Charlene is appellate counsel at Van Ness Feldman, LLP. Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman, she served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Appellate Section of the Western District of Washington, where she represented the United States before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on a wide range of matters. Before her government experience, she practiced for several years in the Seattle office of a large international law firm, where she represented clients in complex civil litigation and criminal investigations and was recognized for her pro bono service, which involved matters related to human rights, asylum, and tribal affairs. In addition, Charlene served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Richard C. Tallman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Patrick M. Reimherr
Van Ness Feldman LLP
Associate
Patrick Reimherr is an associate at Van Ness Feldman in the Energy and Public Policy Practice Groups, where he represents clients on regulatory and policy matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other government agencies. His FERC practice includes counseling on open access transmission policies, wholesale energy market rules, administrative hearings and settlements, and engagement in regulatory and policy initiatives. Patrick also assists clients in navigating federal funding opportunities and their implementation.
Before joining Van Ness Feldman, Patrick worked at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He also spent time in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor and managed government relations for Salt Lake County, Utah.
Patrick holds a JD from Stanford Law School, where he was a member of the Stanford Law Review and the Environmental Law Society, as well as a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University.
Love v. Villicana (Ninth Circuit)
Issue: Whether federal courts should apply California law for non-adoptive/non-biological parent-child relationship for Section 1983.
Amy Hoyt
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Partner
For more than 30 years, Amy Hoyt has achieved victories in trial and appellate courts for cities, counties and special districts in environmental and public law litigation matters. Amy is a Certified Appellate Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She has extensive experience successfully litigating cases involving the myriad of issues facing public agencies, including matters involving the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and other state and federal environmental laws, planning and zoning law, regulatory takings and writs challenging administrative and legislative decisions. Complementing her work in the courtroom, Amy counsels public agencies and developers on compliance with CEQA, NEPA and other environmental laws.
Gregg W. Kettles
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Partner
Gregg W. Kettles represents clients in litigation matters, covering areas of law including land use regulation (e.g., zoning, inverse condemnation and takings), environmental law (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act, California Coastal Act and hazardous waste litigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, local government (e.g., Brown Act and California Public Records Act), civil rights, anti-SLAPP and unfair competition. A State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Appellate Law, Gregg’s practice emphasizes appellate work, having briefed dozens of appeals, writs and petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeals, California Supreme Court and California Court of Appeal.
Courts deciding trial court motions, writs and appeals look first to the briefs submitted by the parties in the dispute. Gregg brings a methodical approach, first assuming the role of historian, combing through the record to find out what happened. He studies the facts from the perspective of the legal scholar, to consider how they may be viewed against the fabric of the law. When it comes time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), Gregg becomes a storyteller, weaving the facts and law into a compelling narrative to be presented to the court.
Gregg’s litigation work draws on a broad range of professional experiences. Gregg was a tenured professor at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Miss. There, he focused his teaching and writing on land use regulation, environmental law and local government. In the land of William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Richard Wright, Gregg also learned about storytelling. He has served as deputy counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, giving Gregg a view of law practice from the perspective of the client. Immediately prior to joining Best Best & Krieger LLP, Gregg practiced law with Jenkins & Hogin, LLP.
Gregg regularly writes and presents on municipal law and litigation issues. He is past chair of the League of California Cities City Attorneys’ Attorney Development and Succession Committee, and past president of the City Attorneys’ Association of Los Angeles County.
Sheetz v. County of El Dorado (California Court of Appeals)
Issue: Whether El Dorado TIM satisfies Nolan / Dollan nexus and proportionality tests, or is individualized inquiry required?
Kristen A. Jensen
San Francisco, California
Deputy City Attorney
Kristen is a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco where she practices land use, environmental, and local government law. She is Assistant Team Lead for the City Attorney’s Land Use Team; Co-General Counsel to the Planning Commission and Planning Department; advisor to the Board of Supervisors, Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Department of Building Inspection, Port of San Francisco and other City departments on land use, housing and planning issues; represents the City in litigation challenging San Francisco legislative and land use decisions in state and federal trial, appeal and supreme courts. Before joining the City Attorney’s Office, she was Special Counsel with Sheppard Mullin, and before that, an associate with Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges (later known as Thelen LLP).
Austin M. Yang
San Francisco, California
Deputy City Attorney
Austin Yang is the head of the Land Use team in the SF City Attorney’s Office. In this role he serves as co-general counsel to the Planning Commission, and advises the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, and various city departments on compliance with environmental and housing laws, as well as the implementation of large development projects. In addition to his work on land use, he helped launch the City’s community choice aggregation program, battled with TNCs over traffic congestion, and drafted public health regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Simon v. City and County of San Francisco (Ninth Circuit)
Issue: Whether pretrial electronic monitoring authorized by defendants in lieu of detention and sharing of location data among law enforcement violates Fourth Amendment.
Ryan Paul McGinley-Stempel
Renne Public Law Group
Partner and Head of Appellate Practice
Ryan McGinley-Stempel is a partner and Head of Appellate Practice at Renne Public Law Group®, which was founded by former San Francisco City Attorney Louise Renne. Mr. McGinley-Stempel is certified by the California Bar as an Appellate Specialist and previously clerked for the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He maintains an active appellate practice on behalf of public agencies, with cases currently pending in the California Supreme Court; the First, Second, and Sixth Appellate Districts of the California Court of Appeal; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He recently achieved a unanimous victory for a public hospital authority in the California Supreme Court holding that civil penalties under California’s Private Attorneys General Act do not apply to public entities. See Stone v. Alameda Health System (2024) 16 Cal.5th 1040.
Arthur Hartinger
Renne Public Law Group
Partner
With a practice focused on labor and employment law for over 33 years, Arthur (Art) Hartinger is one of California’s leading labor and employment attorneys. He is a founding partner of Renne Public Law Group, and was previously a partner at Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP. Since 2004, he has been recognized each year as a “Northern California Super Lawyer” and was one of the Daily Journal’s “Top 75 Labor & Employment Attorneys” in 2013. He was also selected by the Daily Journal as one of the “Top 20 Municipal Lawyers in California” for 2011, 2012, and 2013, and in 2012 he was named one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in California.”
Prior to working at Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai, Mr. Hartinger was a partner at Meyers Nave, where he chaired the Labor and Employment Group for sixteen years. He also worked as a partner at Liebert, Cassidy & Frierson, a Deputy City Attorney at the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, and an associate at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison.
Mr. Hartinger represents public and private clients in complex state and federal litigation pertaining to all types of labor and employment issues, including California and U.S. constitutional law, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII, Title IX, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Mr. Hartinger has represented clients in a variety of litigation matters, including class actions, writs, and jury trials. His litigation practice also includes administrative and binding arbitration hearings before personnel boards, arbitrators, and administrative law judges. He also frequently advises public agencies, personnel boards, and civil service commissions.
Texas v. City of Austin (Court of Appeals – Texas)
Issue: Whether Austin’s ordinance ending citation/arrest for misdemeanor marijuana offenses is preempted by Texas state law.
William M. McKamie
Tayler, Olsen, Adkins, Sralla & Elam, LLP
Partner
Mick McKamie practices trial law and represents governmental entities. He is a graduate of the University of Texas with a B.A. in Government, and the Texas Tech School of Law. Mr. McKamie earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Texas Tech.
Mr. McKamie is a former full-time Assistant City Attorney for Lubbock
(1979-81) and City Attorney for Greenville (1983-87) and Amarillo (2015-18). Mr. McKamie has also served as City Attorney for the Home Rule Cities of Alpine, Boerne and Hondo, and the General Law Cities of Leon Valley, Richwood, Somerville, Ferris and Cottonwood Shores. He has served as Interim City Attorney for the Cities of Boerne, Euless, Fredericksburg, Liberty Hill and Forney, and as General Counsel for the Laredo Housing Authority. He is currently City Attorney for the Cities of Boerne and Fredericksburg. Mick serves as Special Counsel for the City of Amarillo and General Counsel for Amarillo Local Government Corporation. He is a frequent speaker and panelist on municipal and public law issues, focusing on Open Government, land use litigation, annexation and boundary disputes, governmental and official immunity, Fair Housing, Whistleblower Act, EEOC and employment discrimination, damages and remedies issues, and complex civil litigation. He is an Original Member of the Housing Authority Defense Attorneys Association.
Mick has over 60 reported State and Federal Appellate decisions as lead counsel.
Mr. McKamie is a Research Fellow of the Center for American and International Law, a Fellow of the College of the State Bar of Texas, and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1992). Mick was the first to be elected twice as Chair of the Government Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 2012 he received a Certificate of Merit in Municipal Law from the Texas City Attorneys Association. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in Texas, Best Lawyers in San Antonio, and SuperLawyers.
Mr. McKamie is the 2011 Recipient of the Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award, presented by the International Municipal Lawyers Association to recognize outstanding service to the public, a top award in the practice of Municipal Law.
Mick McKamie is the Recipient of the International Municipal Lawyers Association Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement Award on September 20, 2019.
Mr. McKamie is a member in good standing and admitted to practice in all Texas state courts, all federal district courts in Texas, the Fifth and Third Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.