Posted 26 Mar 2026 in Business Written by: Erich Eiselt

Inaugurated in 2023, the Charles W. Thompson, Jr. Local Government Law Scholarships are competitive awards intended to recognize rising 2Ls and 3Ls with demonstrated interest and accomplishment in the study of municipal law. All candidates submit written expressions of interest, law school transcripts, and letters of recommendation. In addition, those seeking the larger $5,000 scholarship were required to submit an original work relating to local government law. We were fortunate to receive a significant number of outstanding applications from law students...

Posted 24 Mar 2026 in Case Notes, Commentary Written by: Amanda Karras

Yesterday, in a 6-3 per curiam (unauthored) opinion, the Supreme Court in Zorn v. Linton summarily reversed the Second Circuit’s denial of qualified immunity for a police officer who was alleged to have engaged in excessive force based on his use of a rear wristlock on a non-violent protestor. This case involves a group of about 200 protestors who staged a sit-in during the January 2015 inauguration of then-Governor Peter Shumlin.  When the capitol closed to the public for the night,...

Posted 20 Mar 2026 in Case Notes, Commentary Written by: Amanda Karras

The Supreme Court held today in Olivier v. City of Brandon that Heck v. Humphrey does not bar a §1983 suit seeking purely prospective relief.  This was the case involving the street preacher who had been convicted of violating the City’s ordinance restricting expressive activity near the public amphitheater (the restriction applied in a content neutral manner).  Olivier wanted to return to the venue to continue to preach after his conviction, but without the threat of criminal punishment so he...

Posted 16 Mar 2026 in Business Written by: Avery Morris

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...

Posted 25 Feb 2026 in Case Notes, Commentary Written by: Amanda Karras

In a fractured 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts, the Supreme Court held that the President does not have the power to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).  Six Justices agreed that the statute’s text does not authorize the President’s tariffs, but only three (the Chief Justice and Justices Gorsuch and Barrett) would have also concluded that the major questions doctrine would also invalidate the tariffs. IEEPA was enacted in 1977 and provides the President with...

Posted 15 Jan 2026 in Case Notes, Commentary Written by: Erich Eiselt

Case v. Montana, no. 24-624 (U.S. Jan. 14, 2026). In a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Kagan with concurrences by Justices Sotomayor and Gorsuch, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the Montana Supreme Court in rejecting the petitioner’s argument that a probable cause standard is needed to justify warrantless entry in emergency aid scenarios. Law enforcement made a visit to the home of William Case based on a call from his girlfriend expressing concern that Case was suicidal.  They entered though...

Posted 12 Jan 2026 in Business Written by: Amanda Karras

As we close another impactful year of education and community in local government law, I find myself filled with anticipation for what’s in store for 2026 from a CLE perspective — a year packed with robust programming designed to meet your professional needs, whether you’re able to travel or prefer virtual learning.   In-Person Events Worth Planning For We are back for our 2026 IMLA Mid-Year Seminar, returning to Washington, D.C., from April 10–13, 2026. This premier event will once again feature dual...

Posted 21 Oct 2025 in Business Written by: Caroline Storer

IMLA confirms Susana Alcala Wood as IMLA President from October 21, 2025 - September 27, 2026. IMLA confirms Susana Alcala Wood as IMLA President from October 21, 2025 - September 27, 2026. In a business meeting held on October 21, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, IMLA confirmed the nomination of Susana Alcala Wood of Sacramento, California to be President of IMLA. Susana Alcala Wood accepted the appointment by the City of San Jose to serve as their City Attorney in August of 2025...

Posted 22 Sep 2025 in Business Written by: Avery Morris

On October 20th during our 90th Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, IMLA was able to announce and recognize our 2025 award winners. These award winners are IMLA 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 achievements in...

Posted 27 Jun 2025 in Case Notes, Commentary Written by: Amanda Karras

Today, in Trump v. Casa, the Supreme Court held that the Judiciary Act of 1789 does not confer the equitable authority on federal courts to issue universal injunctions, calling such injunctions “conspicuously nonexistent for most of our Nation’s history.”  The practical implications of the Court’s decision are significant for local governments, particularly in the context of current federal grant litigation.  Though the use of universal injunctions will now be prohibited, there are nuances to the decision that did not completely...