16 Mar 2026 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.
Case v. Montana (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether probable cause required for community caretaker warrantless entry, or is objectively reasonable belief sufficient.
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.
James Nikraftar
Miller Barondess LLP
Associate
James Nikraftar is a litigator with Miller Barondess, LLP in Los Angeles with a background representing diverse clientele in matters including contract disputes, fraud, consumer protection, labor disputes, business torts, and appellate concerns. James obtained his Bachelor’s degree in History from Yeshiva University, and returned to his hometown of Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, where he was the Edward G. Lewis Moot Court Champion. James is also an adjunct professor of advanced appellate advocacy at USC Gould School of Law. He is licensed to practice in California.
First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Platkin
(Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether constitutionally-based challenges to state or local administrative subpoenas can be heard in federal court before state proceedings have concluded.
The Summit Church-Homestead Heights Baptist Church, Inc. v. Chatham County (Fourth Circuit)
Issue: Whether a court can require a local government to enact a rezoning requested by a church, despite the fact that zoning is the province of the legislature.
John J. Korzen
Wake Forest University School of Law Appellate Advocacy Clinic
Director
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.
Pung v. Isabella County (Supreme Court Merits Stage)
Issue: Whether taking/selling home to satisfy government debt and keeping surplus violates Takings Clause when sale is artificially depressed auction price; whether taking of real estate worth more than debt and sold for fraction of fair market value is excessive fine under Eighth Amendment.
Meaghan VerGow
O’Melveney & Myers LLP
Partner
Meaghan VerGow is firmwide co-chair of the Securities Litigation and Financial Services Practice at O’Melveny & Myers LLP. A highly regarded litigator who assists clients with complex commercial litigation and class actions at the trial and appellate levels, Meaghan also counsels clients on legal, policy, and regulatory matters. In recommending Meaghan, Chambers USA reports that clients consider her “impressive” and “very smart and strategic,” with a knack for thinking through “the best arguments.”
Also a member of the firm’s Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation Practice, Meaghan has briefed and argued cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the US, and has obtained multiple unanimous Supreme Court victories. Meaghan’s strategic insights have supported a long record of judgments in her client’s favor.
Meaghan’s areas of focus include health care, administrative law, insurance law, federal jurisdiction and preemption, constitutional law, ERISA, and securities law. Meaghan also maintains an active First Amendment practice.
Alyssa Negvesky
O’Melveney & Myers LLP
Associate
Alyssa Negvesky is a litigation associate in O’Melveny’s Washington, DC office. She advises clients on a range of litigation and investigation matters, including cases involving state attorney general actions. She also maintains an active pro bono practice, including her work supporting an amicus brief before the US Supreme Court.
Prior to joining O’Melveny, Alyssa gained valuable experience as a Law Clerk for the US Office of Special Counsel.
Nina Oat
O’Melveney & Myers LLP
Associate
Nina Oat is a litigation associate in O’Melveny’s Washington, DC office. Her practice focuses on defending corporate clients in high-stakes federal and state litigation at both the trial and appellate stages. Her experience includes assisting clients in complex class actions, products liability, and insurance disputes. She has co-authored multiple merits and amicus briefs before federal and state courts of appeals, including the US Supreme Court. She has also argued in the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Before she joined O’Melveny, Nina served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Loren L. AliKhan of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the Honorable Michael F. Urbanski of the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and Tufts University.
City of Cleveland v. Pickett (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether non-injured residents can be included within a proposed class consistent with the requirements of CPLR 23A.
Charles B. Galvin
FBT Gibbons LLP
Partner in Charge
Charles leverages his first-chair trial and appellate experience in courtrooms to achieve successful results in complex legal disputes. He has significant experience as part of the firm’s Business Litigation practice group prosecuting and defending a wide range of claims. He regularly advises clients on a wide range of issues as outside general counsel, including unfair competition and restrictive covenants.
As part of the firm’s Government Services practice group, Charles advises townships, municipalities, school districts, political subdivisions, state agencies, and elected officials as law director regarding zoning, eminent domain, land use, taxpayer lawsuits, election law, sunshine law, § 1983 claims, and constitutional issues. Charles is also part of the firm’s Appellate practice group, and has helped successfully affirm or reverse trial court decisions throughout Ohio either by drafting briefs or at oral argument.
In 2017, Charles became the youngest member elected to the Mason City Schools Board of Education. He was re-elected in 2021, and has served as Board President for four of the past five years. He also serves on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on the Rules of Superintendence, the Butler County Bar Association’s Grievance Committee, and is a graduate of Leadership Warren County.
Yazan S. Ashrawi
FBT Gibbons LLP
Partner
Yaz counsels and advises both public and private clients in a widearray of business and real estate issues as a trusted outside general counsel. On the litigation side, Yaz focuses his practice on assisting clients with land-use and zoning, eminent domain, real estate tax, and development disputes in state and federal courts. Yaz has successfully represented his clients as lead counsel in jury trials, bench trials, and through pre-trial motion practice in various state and federal courts.
In addition to his trial work, he has successfully represented clients in appellate proceedings in front of numerous administrative agencies, state courts of appeals, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Ohio Supreme Court. Yaz has briefed and handled over 30 appellate matters, and presented oral argument on multiple occasions in state and federal appellate courts.
With long-range vision and decisiveness, he is both a counselor and trusted advisor who assembles the right team around client issues in order to maximize the firm’s resources for efficient and notable outcomes. Yaz is also the partner-in-charge of the Columbus office of Frost Brown Todd.
Stephen J. Smith
FBT Gibbons LLP
Partner
Stephen represents public entities in economic development, land use planning and general municipal issues. His practice encompasses all aspects of municipal law including zoning and land use, eminent domain, administrative appeals, public records issues, public contracts and law enforcement issues.
Stephen currently serves as the law director for the City of Grove City, Village of Obetz and as assistant law director for the City of Dublin. He teaches Local Government law at Capital University Law School.
Jesse J. Shamp
FBT Gibbons LLP
Managing Associate
Jesse focuses his practice on a variety of municipal law issues including planning and zoning matters, annexations, city and village code enforcement, and municipal prosecution. He also litigates matters involving eminent domain and takings cases, public nuisance matters, and lawsuits involving police.
Jesse graduated second in his class from Capital University Law School in 2018 and served on the Capital University Law Review as a staff member and as an associate notes editor. Prior to and during law school, Jesse worked full time in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in a variety of roles, including central Ohio regional director and contracts manager for outside counsel. Jesse uses his eight years of government service to assist his clients in dealing with state government policies and procedures.
Anthony R. Severyn
FBT Gibbons LLP
Associate
Anthony serves as outside counsel to local governments as they carry out their duties for their constituents and for private entities. He uses his wide range of personal and professional experiences to help his clients tactfully navigate diverse legal issues.
As a central–Ohio native, Anthony takes pride in serving Ohio cities, villages, and townships. He has a comprehensive litigation practice concerning public records lawsuits, nuisance-abatement actions, Chapter 2506 administrative appeals, equal-protection and due-process lawsuits, eminent domain actions, and numerous civil appeals before the Ohio state and federal courts. Anthony regularly drafts amicus briefs on behalf of municipal organizations in cases with far-reaching implications.
In addition to litigation support, Anthony also provides law-director services to various local governments for contract interpretation and negotiation, preparing public records responses, analyzing ethics concerns, preparing legislation, addressing immigration questions, and serving as legal counsel at various open meetings.
Additionally, Anthony has a strong background in labor and employment law. He has assisted public and private clients in discrimination and whistleblower disputes before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as state and federal courts. He has assisted in labor-contract negotiations and disputes, labor arbitrations and fact-finding preparations, and strike-management efforts. He has also given advice and counsel on various state and federal laws relating to workforce management issues.
Before starting his career in the legal field, Anthony worked in restaurant, construction, retail, and client-services spaces. He enjoys making custom furniture and preparing creative meals for his family. Anthony also writes music for and serves with his church’s worship team.
Estate of Johnson v. Rakes (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether officer’s incorrect statement about length of husband’s hospital stay, after which wife returns home and is killed by husband, is state created danger.
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.
Amy successfully litigates actions raising claims under a variety of environmental laws, including CEQA and NEPA. With respect to CEQA, she has defeated challenges to statutory exemptions, negative declarations, addenda and environmental impact reports on a variety of projects, including:
• a proposed NFL stadium,
• adoption of initiative and bond measures,
• projects involving California’s State Water Project,
• national retailer “superstore” projects and
• public agency land use documents such as regional plans, general plans and specific plans.
She has also defeated planning and land use challenges to project approvals, including general plan inconsistency claims and attacks on the validity of general plans, specific plans and municipal ordinances. In additional to her experience in environmental and land use litigation, Amy successfully represents public agencies in writ actions challenging administrative and legislative decisions.
As a Certified Appellate Specialist, Amy has broad experience before the California Supreme Court, California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Gregg Kettles
Best, Best & Krieger LLP
Partner
Gregg Kettles has more than 20 years of public law experience, serving public agency clients or teaching public law courses. He has represented clients in a variety of litigation matters, including disputes under 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.
Hanneman v. Wells/Estate of Locke (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether SCOTUS can consider BWC footage blatantly contradictig plaintiffs’ facts; whether QI can be based on decedent’s pointing gun outwards, but not at officer, and was QI adequately pleaded.
Stephanie A. Angolkar
Lockridge, Grindal, Nauen PLLP
Partner
Stephanie Angolkar is a partner with Iverson Reuvers in Bloomington, MN, with a practice focused on the defense of civil rights and complex litigation involving municipalities in state and federal courts. She is a certified civil trial law specialist and has also handled nearly 100 appeals at the state and federal level, including arguing en banc in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Nyarecha v. County of Los Angeles (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether 13-hour period of failure to check on at-risk inmate is “custom or practice” sufficient to satisfy Monell standards for Section 1983 liability.
T. Peter Pierce
Richards, Watson & Gershon
Shareholder & Chair of Litigation
Peter is a Shareholder and Chair of Litigation at Richards, Watson & Gershon (RWG), headquartered in Los Angeles. He represents private sector and public sector clients in all California appellate courts, in the Supreme Court of the United States, and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Peter is certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in appellate law (2005), and is a member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers (2016). During his 33-year career at RWG, Peter has served as a member or in leadership roles on several State Bar of California Committees/Commissions including the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation; Appellate Law Advisory Commission; and Standing Committee on Appellate Courts. Peter served as Co-President, Secretary, and for many years as a Board member of the LGBTQ Bar Association of Los Angeles. Peter served as an adjunct instructor of civil litigation for several years at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law.
Sose Tezyan
Richards, Watson & Gershon
Associate
Sose is an associate in the Litigation Department at Richards, Watson & Gershon in Los Angeles. Sose represents municipalities and public agencies across California in civil litigation in both state and federal courts.
Salter v. City of Detroit (Supreme Court Petition Stage)
Issue: Whether police officer’s use of single photo to identify defendant / use of line up photo without defendant is protected by QI; whether Brady violation gives rise to Sectiion 1983 police officer liability for damages, whether police officer is responsible for evidentiary decisions by prosecutor or judge.
Sebastian Waisman
Husch Blackwell LLP
Senior Counsel
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 Texas 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. He was part of the City’s team that handled litigation in state and federal courts arising out of the August 2017 protest events in Charlottesville. He also advised City officials on issues involving procurement, tax, real estate, utilities, and land use and zoning. Sebastian’s experience in Charlottesville 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.
Daniel G. Solomon
Husch Blackwell LLP
Senior Associate
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.
Spencer Tolson
Husch Blackwell LLP
Senior Associate
A litigator at heart, Spencer regularly handles cases that range from complicated antitrust claims to general business disputes. However, he is particularly drawn towards constitutional issues and has accordingly litigated cases involving freedom of speech, due process protections, federal preemption of state legislation, and the dormant Commerce Clause. Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, 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.
Alyssa M. Leroy
Husch Blackwell LLP
Associate
Alyssa LeRoy is an associate in the Madison office of Husch Blackwell. She assists clients in a variety of commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts, including administrative, property, constitutional, and business issues at the trial and appellate level.
Alyssa graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and clerked for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Prior to attending law school, she received a Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington and worked in state government, focusing on state budget and policy issues.
City of Milton v. Chang (Georgia Supreme Court)
Issue: Whether design/placement of objects in right of way is ministerial or discretionary/governmental duty; whether planter in right of way is “defect” in roadway
Chris Balch
Balch Law Group
Partner
Chris Balch has more than 30 years of experience litigating cases against public officials at all levels of government. 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 from military service to the challenges and opportunities his clients face.
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 and elected officials across the Country. His legal scholarship regularly appears in newsletters and professional journals, including Municipal Lawyer. He is an IMLA Local Government Fellow and former member of the IMLA Board of Directors. He has been the chair or co-chair of the Litigation Committee for IMLA since 2020. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell and is a Georgia Super Lawyer. 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.
Diemert v. City of Seattle (Ninth Circuit)
Issue: Whether content/comments in DEI program constitute harassment; whether City’s response to complaints of harassment are retaliation.
Katie Beran
Hausfeld LLP
Partner
Katie R. Beran is a Partner in Hausfeld’s Philadelphia office whose practice focuses on impact litigation across a variety of practice areas, including environmental, consumer protection, and antitrust law. Katie leads the firm’s Public Entity Practice, representing State Attorneys General, cities, counties, public water providers, and other government entities in complex affirmative litigation seeking social and economic justice. Her current representative matters include water contamination litigation concerning emerging contaminants 1,4-dioxane and PFAS; environmental justice and natural resource damages litigation; affirmative firearm litigation to combat the gun violence epidemic; deceptive marketing litigation targeting plastic products; and RICO litigation regarding a conspiracy to inflate the price of insulin. In addition to her litigation work, Katie serves as Hausfeld’s Business Development Partner, charged with overseeing the firm’s new case investigations and evaluations, and she is a founding member of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her widespread national recognition.
Daniel Weick
Hausfeld LLP
Partner
Daniel P. Weick is a Partner in Hausfeld’s New York office with more than fifteen years of experience handling all aspects of complex federal antitrust litigations and representing clients in government investigations of collusion, restraints of trade, monopolization, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Hausfeld, Dan served as Special Litigation Counsel in the Antitrust Bureau of the Office of the New York State Attorney General. He also serves on the Editorial Board of the Antitrust Law Journal and is an active member of Hausfeld’s U.S. Business Development Strategy Committee and LGBTQ+ Alliance, reflecting his commitment to leadership, scholarship, and inclusion.
Express Scripts, Inc. v. Anne Arundel County (Supreme Court of Maryland)
Issue: “Whether licensed dispensing of, or administering benefit plans for, a controlled substance can constitute public nuisance under Maryland law “.
J. Carl Cecere
Cecere PC
Owner
Carl Cecere is skilled in delivering arguments that provide maximum impact. He’s the product of an elite, big-firm appellate practice, but he started Cecere PC in 2012 to deliver those same services more efficiently, with direct attention, flexible fee arrangements, and malleable roles.
Carl works in areas where the law is uncertain, where the stakes are high, and the subject matter is often highly technical—where the need to clearly deliver skillfully crafted, high-impact arguments is most critical. He frequently represents clients in the United States Supreme Court, as well as federal and state appellate courts around the country.
His specialty is the art of appellate advocacy and is not restricted to any particular subject matter. He has handled a variety of path-breaking issues of constitutional law, foreign sovereign immunity, administrative law, bankruptcy, class actions, intellectual property, securities law, insurance, and energy law.
His client roster is as wide ranging as his expertise. He’s represented venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, banks, corporations, and victims of serious accidents. He’s also represented former high-ranking government officials, heads of federal agencies including ambassadors, congressmen, FCC commissioners, ambassadors, former ambassadors, prominent academics, and other experts.
Outside the courtroom, Carl frequently writes and speaks on a wide variety of legal issues. Several of his writings have been published in prestigious academic journals, and others have been cited and examined by academics and public advocates. He often speaks on the Supreme Court, appellate advocacy, and issues in patent law. He also makes radio and television appearances to discuss important legal developments. His practice has been featured on numerous podcasts and been the subject of a feature profile by legendary U.S. Supreme Court reporter Tony Mauro.
Hill v. City of Santa Fe (New Mexico Court of Appeals)
Issue: Whether Excise tax on residential sales over $1 million is permissible services charge under Home Rule powers.
Randy Autio
New Mexico Local Government Law LLC
Attorney
Randy Autio formed NM Local Government Law, LLC in March of 2020 after 25 years of serving local governments in New Mexico. Randy believes that to provide the best legal services possible for local governments, a law firm must have public service experience and a passion for helping to improve our communities. This vision has been met by the friends and family that have joined the firm who bring decades of unsurpassed legal experience representing and defending local governments and State agencies. Beginning in 1990, Randy has dedicated his career to representing local governmental entities. Randy served as an Assistant City Attorney in Albuquerque for 19 years and has been General Counsel for Los Alamos County, Bernalillo County, Taos County and many New Mexico Municipalities. As both an employee of those entitles, or as outside counsel, Randy has handled all their legal needs from day-to-day business all the way to crisis management. In addition to general counsel work, Mr. Autio has 39 years of litigation experience, beginning in 1986, in both State and Federal Courts. As an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Albuquerque he litigated for the City from 1990 through July 2010 handling tort, contract, land use, election, civil rights and employment cases. Also, as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Albuquerque, from 2002 through 2010, Mr. Autio supervised the Litigation section which litigated tort and general litigation claims, and all employment law matters. Randy continued in that position for eight years, while also serving as Interim City Clerk for the 2007 and 2009 City elections. In addition, Mr. Autio was appointed by the Mayor to co-chair the Albuquerque City Ethics Coalition in 2004, a collaborative effort by the Mayor to work with labor, management, and the public to create a greater culture of ethics in City government. He has additional experience as a litigator and policy advisor for Employment Law including: FLSA, PERA, discipline, labor, equal pay, EEOC claims and management training as well as litigator for administrative hearings in personnel cases and appeals. Randy was the Los Alamos County Attorney from October 2010 through November 2011 where he worked through difficult and complex legal challenges and was the attorney and acting administrator, for eleven months which included the Los Conchas fire emergency and evacuation. The strategic focus of Los Alamos was to diversify and grow all parts of their economy. As legal advisor and administrator, Mr. Autio worked on new public/private partnerships with the Labs and developers; oversaw the approval of a new government complex; shepherded LEDA projects; and, worked to foster the relationships between the Labs, neighboring tribes and communities. From 2011 through 2015, as the Bernalillo County Attorney, Randy resolved difficult issues surrounding the criminal justice system and jail overcrowding. Mr. Autio shepherded reform to solve employment problems, crafted a new Code of Conduct and helped craft a new County Home Rule Charter. Mr. Autio also helped create and implement new records retention and IPRA policies, new polices for award of community service contracts, and a new Ordinance allowing the County to legally collect franchise fees from those using the County right-of-way. He continued his career long role in solving complex employment issues and advising on the adoption of reforms to solve such problems. Since opening NM Local Government Law, Randy continues to be general counsel for multiple local governments and has litigated complex employment cases including Whistleblower and retaliation cases. In addition, Mr. Autio has litigated cases for local government clients in the areas of construction law, election law and multiple administrative appeals from the administrative level up through the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Robert Kidd
New Mexico Local Government Law LLC
Attorney
Robert Dean Kidd, Jr. received his Juris Doctor in 1991 with honors from the University of New Mexico School of Law and his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in 1986. Robert Kidd has been a practicing attorney for over three decades in New Mexico, where he has worked both in the public and private sectors. Mr. Kidd’s most recent governmental experience comes from his work as the Ethics Compliance Officer and Deputy City Attorney at the Bernalillo County for nine years and his work at the City of Albuquerque City Attorney’s Office where he represented the City in his capacity as Deputy City Attorney, Interim City Attorney, Special Assistant Attorney and Assistant City Attorney for an additional nine years. Mr. Kidd also has government law experience in his work as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Santa Fe and Assistant County Attorney for the County of Santa Fe. Mr. Kidd has worked on cases and projects in the following areas: labor and employment law, real estate/land use, water law, metropolitan redevelopment, elections law, contracts, public records and legislative review and drafting. He has also been legal staff for various public boards and commissions including city councils in both Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County on an acting or interim basis.
Randall Van Vleck
New Mexico Local Government Law LLC
Attorney
Randall Van Vleck graduated from the Washburn University School of law in 1982 and received his undergraduate education at Loyola University of Chicago with a degree in Political Science in 1979. As a senior attorney of NM Local Government Law, LLC, he is admitted to practice in New Mexico and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Van Vleck’s has municipal experience from his work as General Counsel for the New Mexico Municipal League and his legal representation as the City Attorney for the City of Rio Rancho, members of its Governing Body and various City Departments. During his time at the City of Rio Rancho, he drafted ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other legal documents on behalf of the City. He also met with members of the public in an effort to resolve issues without resorting to litigation. His work also included coordinating the condemnation of a privately owned water and wastewater utility by the municipality and he advised the City and its acquisition team concerning the environmental implications of the acquisition. He also spearheaded two major redevelopment projects within the City that included plans for a Center for Performing Arts. In addition, Mr. Van Vleck represented the City and its ratepayers in cases before the New Mexico Public Utilities Commission and was the lead negotiator for the City in negotiating franchise agreements with various utilities. Mr. Van Vleck continues to assist NM municipalities in his work at NM Local Government Law, LLC which includes the creation or revision of ordinances and giving guidance on planning, zoning, personnel, open meetings, and public records matters.
Peninsula Township v. Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula Association (Sixth Circuit)
Issue: Whether Township’s ordinances limiting wineries’ commercial activities and requiring local produce in wines served violate due process, Dormant Commerce Clause, etc.
Nathan Inks
Bloom Slugget PC
Attorney
Nathan Inks is an attorney with Bloom Sluggett, PC. His practice focuses on general municipal law, planning and zoning, appellate advocacy, and utility and infrastructure law. He has experience handling a wide variety of complex legal issues and has a passion for local government service. Nathan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Central Michigan University, where he was a Centralis Gold Award recipient. Nathan went on to receive his Juris Doctor (cum laude) from Wayne State University Law School. During law school, he served as Production Editor of the Wayne Law Review and as a student attorney for the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic. His essay on wetland mitigation was published in the Michigan Environmental Law Journal. Before joining Bloom Sluggett, Nathan served as a law clerk to the Honorable Nancy T. Carniak of the 52-3 District Court and as senior law clerk to the Honorable David F. Viviano of the Michigan Supreme Court. Nathan is admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts, the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Apart from his legal career, Nathan is actively involved in his community, serving as Chair of the Sterling Heights Planning Commission and Sterling Heights Sustainability Commission. He is also a member of the Michigan Association of Planning.
Eric D. Williams
Attorney
Eric D. Williams received a BBA from Eastern Michigan University and JD from Syracuse University, and was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1971. He resides in Big Rapids, Michigan, where he raised eight children with his wife, Jane M. Williams, and practices law with an emphasis on municipal law. Eric served as President of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and the Government Law Section, and has written articles and appellate briefs on various municipal law subjects involving annexation and detachment, Act 425 agreements, and agreements for the joint operations of local governmental functions.
Uber Technologies, Inc. / Maplebear, Inc. v. City of Seattle (Ninth Circuit)
Issue: Whether Seattle’s app worker ordinance requires compelled speech by Uber/Instacart, violating the First Amendment.
Jessica Skelton
Pacifica Law Group LLP
Partner
Jessica is an attorney and partner at Pacifica Law Group, where she is a member of the litigation practice group. She represents public and private clients before trial and appellate courts. Jessica also advises clients on a wide range of issues, with a particular emphasis on issues faced by local governments, including federal and state constitutional issues. Her clients include cities, counties, transit agencies, and port districts. She is actively involved in the community and currently serves on committees for several nonprofit organizations. Jessica previously served as a law clerk at the Washington Supreme Court. She obtained her B.A. from Brown University and her J.D. from the University of Oregon.