City of Philadelphia Attorneys to be Honored by the International Municipal Lawyers Association

Featured photo includes the headshots of awardees: Daniel Cantú-Hertzler (top left), Zachary Strassburger (top right), James Zwolak (bottom left), and Valerie Robinson (bottom right).

The Law Department is proud to represent the City of Philadelphia at the 2024 International Municipal Lawyers AssociationAnnual Conference! This year, four of our attorneys will be recognized for their hard work and dedication to public service with IMLA awards. Congratulations to the following awards recipients:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

awarded to Zachary Strassburger, Deputy City Solicitor in the Compliance Unit

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award acknowledges an individual's efforts to promote diversity and inclusion values within their local government, office or community.

Bailey Assistant City/County Attorney Award

awarded toDaniel Cantú-Hertzler, Senior Attorney in the Commercial Law Unit

In addition to the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, the Bailey Assistant City/County Attorney 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.

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

awarded toJames Zwolak, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor in the Tax & Revenue Unit

The James H. Epps III Award recognizes local government attorneys who have distinguished themselves by years of service to the same community. 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. 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.

Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award

awarded to Valerie M. Robinson, Chair of the Tax & Revenue Group

The Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award is the highest award given by IMLA. The award is not intended to be bestowed on a regular basis, but rather is intended to be a recognition bestowed only occasionally and then only upon a truly uncommon individual.

Additionally, Law Department attorneys will present on legal topics before the international audience during the five day conference in Orlando, FL. The conference program includes:

How to Move the Needle to Becoming an Anti-Racist System in the Child Welfare System

Moderated by:Meghan Goddard, First Deputy City Solicitor

Panelists include:

• Jessica Rodriguez, Deputy City Solicitor in the Compliance Unit
• Nicolette Burgess-Bolden, Chair of the Social Services Group

This presentation will address how we, as municipal lawyers, responded to our client's request to partner together to address racism and disproportionately in Philadelphia's child welfare system. The Philadelphia Department of Human Services ("DHS"), the county child welfare agency, recently examined data regarding racial disparities among the children and families involved in the child welfare system, both in terms of child protective services investigations and children in foster care. These data points were alarming, and DHS chose to partner with the Center for the Study of Social Policy ("CSSP") on the journey to become an anti-racist system. From the beginning, DHS asked the City's Law Department to join in their executive conversations, training, and implementation. Panelists will share the lessons learned as active partners in this journey, including the workgroups created and progress made in coordination with the client. The panelists will discuss the ways in which every municipal lawyer can apply these principles and procedures to their practice and client relationships

Contracting for Change: Integrating Sustainable Materials and Practices into Public Construction Projects

Moderated by:Valerie Robinson, Chair of the Tax & Revenue Group

As municipalities seek to play a role in the global response to climate change, engaging in sustainable building design, building construction and building operation are key opportunities. Integrating sustainable practices, parameters and incentives in public procurement documents, design criteria and construction specs to ensure public projects improve, not exacerbate environmental challenges is within reach when municipal practitioners learn the tools and see the success stories. This presentation will provide a transactional and policy roadmap to achieve those goals, with case studies from the U.S and abroad.

The Changing Legal Landscape of DEI in Municipal Government

Moderated by:Tianna Kalogerakis, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Professional Development

This presentation will examine the changing landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in municipal government. The presentation will provide an overview of current case law, including Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Muldrow v. St. Louis, to help municipalities understand the legal status of diversity programs. The presentation will offer examples of how municipalities can evaluate risk in two primary areas: employment and public contracts.

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