Philadelphia's legal team is gaining significant recognition at this year's International Municipal Lawyers Association Annual Conference. According to the City of Philadelphia, four attorneys from the City of Philadelphia Law Department will receive awards for their exceptional contributions to public service.

Zachary Strassburger, Deputy City Solicitor in the Compliance Unit, will be honored with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for their commitment to advancing these principles within local government and the broader community. Senior Attorney Daniel Cantú-Hertzler, from the Commercial Law Unit, is set to receive the Bailey Assistant City/County Attorney Award, which commends his legal expertise, reputation, and ethical integrity in balancing professional and personal life. The James H. Epps III Award for Longevity of Service to a Community is awarded to James Zwolak, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor in the Tax & Revenue Unit, for his steadfast service of over three decades. In a significant nod to her career, Valerie M. Robinson of the Tax & Revenue Group will be presented with the Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award, the IMLA's most prestigious accolade.

Beyond the awards, the Law Department is also actively taking part in the sharing of knowledge and best practices at the IMLA Conference being held in Orlando, FL. Their presentations will cover various crucial issues, from tackling systemic racism in the child welfare system to embedding sustainability in public procurement. "How to Move the Needle to Becoming an Anti-Racist System in the Child Welfare System," moderated by Meghan Goddard, will feature speakers such as Jessica Rodriguez and Nicolette Burgess-Bolden, who will "share the lessons learned as active partners in this journey, including the workgroups created and progress made in coordination with the client", as reported in the City of Philadelphia.