History and Mission
The Local Government Legal Center (LGLC) is a coalition of national local government organizations formed in 2023 to provide education to local governments regarding the Supreme Court and its impact on local governments and local officials and to advocate for local government positions at the Supreme Court in appropriate cases.
The LGLC’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of Supreme Court cases to local governments and to help shape the outcome of cases of significance to local governments at the Supreme Court through persuasive and effective advocacy. In appropriate cases, the LGLC will provide a strong and unified voice to the Supreme Court regarding local government issues and help educate the Supreme Court in cases involving issues that impact local governments. The LGLC will serve as a resource to local governments and local government officials on issues related to the Supreme Court.
National Association of Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) is a founding member of the LGLC. Matt Chase, NACo’s Executive Director, explained:
“As the national voice of America’s county governments, the National Association of Counties is proud to partner with NLC and IMLA to ensure the priorities and viewpoints of local officials are represented before our nation’s highest court. As the U.S. Supreme Court addresses some of the most complex public policy issues of the day, it is essential that our county officials are aware of the Supreme Court’s docket and offer our perspectives on the practical, frontline realities on county-related legal issues.”
To learn more about NACo, click here: https://www.naco.org/
National League of Cities
The National League of Cities (NLC) is a founding member of the LGLC. Clarence Anthony, NLC’s CEO and Executive Director, stated:
“The National League of Cities places a strong value in our legal advocacy program, recognizing the voice of local leaders in the courts presents a sound and persuasive legal argument on principles and issues important to good municipal government. By entering into a partnership with the International Municipal Lawyers Association in collaboration with the National Association of Counties we are excited to continue to advance our legal goals and ensure needs of cities, towns and villages are considered as the Supreme Court and lower courts rule on cases of consequence to our communities.”
To learn more about NLC, click here: https://www.nlc.org/
International Municipal Lawyers Association
The International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) is a founding member of the LGLC. Amanda Karras, IMLA’s Executive Director, stated the following regarding the importance of the LGLC:
“Local government attorneys know as well as anyone how important persuasive advocacy is and how a lack of a voice in an important case at the Supreme Court could be devastating for local governments. IMLA is therefore pleased to be a part of the LGLC to help continue our long history of advocacy on behalf of local governments and to help elevate advocacy efforts of local governments at the Supreme Court. We believe that by joining together with the other members of the LGLC, local governments will be well served before the Supreme Court.”
To learn more about IMLA, click here: https://imla.org/
Government Finance Officers Association
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is an associate member of the LGLC. Chris Morrill, the Executive Director of GFOA notes:
“GFOA is pleased to support The Local Government Legal Center as an associate member. Supreme Court cases can impact local government finances, hindering the ability to serve their citizens. Therefore, it is critical to our members that skilled legal minds monitor Supreme Court cases and, when necessary, provide strong advocacy for local governments. We are fortunate that IMLA has this expertise and experience and has stepped forward to lead these efforts.”
To learn more about GFOA, click here: https://www.gfoa.org/
