The IMLA Awards Committee is chaired by Jay Doegey (City Attorney, Arlington, Texas) and is composed of members from both the Board of Directors and the general membership.  The charge to this Committee is to seek out potential recipients of these awards, to seek out potential nominators of those individuals, to encourage and assist potential nominators in submitting the documentation required to support a nomination, and to review nominations and recommend one or more nominees to the IMLA Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors will select the recipients of the Awards, and the Awards will be presented at a special Awards luncheon at the 75th Annual IMLA Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 10-13, 2010. Please see below for award descriptions, nomination procedures, and deadline information.

The Awards, described in detail below are:

1. Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement Award
2. James H. Epps III Award for Longevity of Service to a Community
3. Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award
4. Daniel J. Curtin Young Public Lawyer Award
5. Joseph I. Mulligan, Jr. Distinguished Public Service Award
6. William I. Thornton, Jr. IMLA Faculty Award (New for 2010)
7. Outstanding State League Counsel Award (New for 2010)

Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award

The Lifetime Achivement in Municipal Law Award is the highest award given by IMLA. The award is not intended to be bestowed in a regular basis, but rather is intended to be a recogniztion bestowed only occasionally and then only upon a truly uncommon individual. No active solicitation of nominees for the award will be made. Nevertheless, should an IMLA member wish to nominate an individual for receipt of the award, the procedure is provided below.

Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award Information

James H. Epps III Award for Longevity of Service to a Community Award

IMLA established this award to honor the memory of James H. Epps, III by recognizing local government attorneys who have distinguished themselves by years of service to the same community. Jim Epps served his hometown of Johnson City, Tennessee for over 40 years as its attorney. He also served IMLA in many capacities, including as its President. He was a consummate gentleman and was respected for his kindness as well as his legal skill. This award seeks to recognize those local government lawyers who have been able to persevere through changes in government over a period of at least 30 years and who have been active in the IMLA during all or a part of that career. This award is a milestone award that recognizes the significant achievement of having the political and legal skills necessary to represent the same community for at least 30 years.

Nomination Form for Epps Award

Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award

This award is established to honor the memory of Marvin J. Glink by recognizing a private practice practitioner who exhibits those qualities that made Marvin one of the truly remarkable lawyers working in the private sector on behalf of public clients. Marvin Glink was a founding member of the law firm Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois. He practiced municipal law for more than 50 years, serving as the general counsel and special counsel to many municipalities and local governments in Illinois, including the Villages of Skokie, Maywood and Bridgeview, the City of Naperville, and school districts, fire protection districts, and other Illinois specialty governments.  In addition to the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, the award seeks to recognize a private law practitioner who has provided outstanding service to the public and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards, and who revels in maintaining a life that balances a passion for professional excellence with the joy of family and friends. In addition, the award seeks to recognize a person who exhibits qualities of openness and humility, coupled with a sincere concern for the interests of others, including the professional development of newer practitioners.  The award is authorized by Article VI, Section 6 of the IMLA Bylaws.

Nomination Form for Glink Award      (Due June 28, 2010)

Procedures for Glink Award

Daniel J. Curtin Young Public Lawyer Award

This award is established to honor the memory of Daniel J. Curtin, Jr. by recognizing a new practitioner who exhibits those qualities that made Dan one of the truly remarkable lawyers working on behalf of public clients. In addition to the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, the award seeks to recognize a public law practitioner who has provided outstanding service to the public and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards and who revels in maintaining a life that balances a passion for professional excellence and the joy of family and friends. In addition, the award seeks to recognize a person who exhibits qualities of openness and humility coupled with a sincere concern for the interests of others, including the professional development of newer practitioners. The award is authorized by Article VI, Section 6 of the IMLA Bylaws.

Nomination Form for Curtin Award  (Due June 28, 2010)

Procedures for Curtin Award

Joseph I. Mulligan, Jr. Distinguished Public Service Award

This award is established to honor a local government attorney for significant and surpassing achievements in the field of local government law occurring or culminating in the previous year.

Intent to Nominate Form (Due May 21, 2010)

Nomination Form for Public Service Award    (Due June 28, 2010)

Procedures for Public Service Award

William I. Thornton, Jr. IMLA Faculty Award

IMLA established this award to honor the memory of William I. Thornton, Jr. by recognizing a person dedicated to IMLA and to the practice of local government law and who has participated as a member of the IMLA faculty in helping local government attorneys learn about or reaffirm their knowledge of issues important to their practice of local government law. In addition to the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, the award seeks to recognize a practitioner who has provided outstanding service to the public and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards and who is devoted to mentoring young lawyers and educating lawyers in local government law.

Intent to Nominate Form (Due May 21, 2010)
Criteria for Thornton Faculty Award
Nomination Form for William I. Thornton, Jr. Faculty Award (Due June 28, 2010)

Outstanding State League Counsel Award

IMLA established this award to honor those attorneys who serve as counsel to their state league of cities or association of counties, towns or other local government entities and who are recognized for their valued service to the members of their organizations and for their skills as attorneys. Like other IMLA awards, this award expects the recipient to exhibit the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, but also seeks to recognize a practitioner who has provided outstanding service to local governments and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards, exceptional legislative achievement, and who is devoted to improving local governments.

Intent to Nominate Form (Due May 21, 2010)
Criteria for Outstanding State League Counsel Award

Nomincation Form for Outstanding State League Counsel Award (Due June 28, 2010)