Posted 31 Mar 2022 in Commentary Written by: Deanna Shahnami

The International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) made history this year when Amanda Karras became the first woman to ever be its Executive Director and General Counsel.  This new leadership deserves a new introduction. In 14 years, Amanda has built a family (with her husband and two daughters) and legal career—majority of which has been with IMLA.  Her legal journey began after she graduated Colby College in Maine.  What would turn into a gap year, she worked in a social-worker-type position...

Posted 23 Mar 2022 in Commentary Written by: Deanna Shahnami

Happy Women’s History Month! IMLA is MARCHing its way through U.S. Women’s History Month.  We would like to recognize and celebrate the women of our membership, who were nominated by their peers for their extraordinary work in local government.  IMLA continues its mission to maintain intentional efforts to provide helpful resources for initiatives related to diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.  March is a reminder that women have and still face adversity (in employment, law, healthcare, etc.) as a single class or under...

Posted 15 Feb 2022 in Commentary Written by: Deanna Shahnami

Happy Black History Month! February is nationally recognized to celebrate the achievements of African Americans.  As our society and legal profession have become increasingly aware of historic inequities that still impact people of color and in particular—Black Americans—IMLA works hard to provide our membership with the most updated resources on equity, bias, and racial injustice.  IMLA acknowledges that legal advancement co-exist with new legal barriers.  IMLA will not falter in its mission to aide local governments in achieving sustainable, equitable and...

Posted 13 Jan 2022 in Case Notes Written by: Lisa Soronen

In National Federation of Independent Businesses v. Department of Labor the U.S. Supreme Court disallowed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) emergency rule from going into effect temporarily, which requires those who work for employers with 100 or more employees to be vaccinated. Such employers instead could require unvaccinated employees to be tested weekly for COVID-19 and wear a mask. In Biden v. Missouri the Court allowed to go into effect temporarily while litigation in the lower courts continues, an...

Posted 05 Jan 2022 in Business Written by: Caroline Storer

As of January 1, 2022 Amanda Karras will lead IMLA as Executive Director / General Counsel. Ms. Karras has worked at IMLA for 8 years with the previous positions of Deputy General Counsel and Director of Legal Advocacy. In the capacity of Executive Director and General Counsel, Ms. Karras will oversee IMLA’s governance and staff.  Ms. Karras will also continue to oversee IMLA’s legal advocacy efforts with the United States Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, and state appellate courts. Ms. Karras has...

Posted 17 Dec 2021 in Case Summaries (eNews) Written by: Erich Eiselt

Yesterday, District Court Judge Colleen McMahon vacated Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain’s confirmation of the Purdue Plan of Reorganization (In re Purdue Pharma L.P., no. 21-cv-07532 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 16, 2021)). As discussed in IMLA’s Opioid Group calls, under the Plan, the Sackler family members were to receive complete releases from all civil liability--even though they did not personally file for bankruptcy--in exchange for contributing $4.5 billion to be distributed to creditors via various “abatement trusts.” But eight states and the US Attorney...

Posted 08 Dec 2021 in Business Written by: Caroline Storer

IMLA confirms Barbara A. Adams as IMLA President from October 2021 - October 2022. IMLA’s members recently confirmed the nomination of Barbara A. Adams of the Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association to be President of IMLA. Ms. Adams is currently with the Chicago area law firm of Donahue & Rose, P.C. and received an IMLA President’s gavel from outgoing President Tyrone Cooper at IMLA’s recent annual business meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  In addition to serving as General Counsel to the Illinois...

Posted 25 Oct 2021 in Case Notes Written by: Amanda Karras

On October 18th, the Supreme Court granted qualified immunity to officers in two cases on a per curiam basis, summarily reversing lower courts in each: Rivas-Villas v. Cortesluna and City of Tahlequah v. Austin.  IMLA filed an amicus brief in the Rivas - Villegas v. Cortesluna case in support of the officers.  In both cases, the Supreme Court relied on video evidence and therefore undisputed facts.  And in both cases, the Court concluded the law was not clearly established given...

Posted 12 Oct 2021 in Business Written by: Caroline Storer

On September 29th and October 1st during our 86th Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN, IMLA was able to announce and recognize our 2021 award winners. These award winners are MLA members who have gone above and beyond the field of municipal law and were nominated by their colleagues to receive these awards.   The Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement In Municipal Law Award The Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award is the highest award given by IMLA. The award honors the recipient’s lifetime...

Posted 01 Oct 2021 in Commentary Written by: Deanna Shahnami

For more than 30 years, from September 15- October 15, the United States has recognized and celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month.  This month-long recognition is meant to celebrate the contributions and achievements of members in Hispanic and Latin(o/x) communities.  IMLA and its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group are committed to providing our members resources that highlight DEI issues affecting Hispanic and Latin(o/x) attorneys and the communities they represent. Attorneys with Spanish-speaking roots have slowly made their mark on U.S. legal history...