Susan Emery McGannon, City Attorney for the City of Murfreesboro, Tenn., has recently been recertified as an International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) Local Government Fellow. Ms. McGannon was the first Tennessean to be designated a Local Government Fellow by IMLA, and she has now been recertified as a Fellow three times.

"The City of Murfreesboro is very proud of Ms. McGannon's recertification," said City Manager Rob Lyons. "She has tirelessly served the City for many years, and her passion for the law and her dedication to the City is unmatched. I cannot think of a more deserving person for IMLA Fellow Certification, and I'm delighted that IMLA has once again recognized Ms. McGannon's contributions to the field of municipal law."

The prestigious IMLA Local Government Fellows Program was established to recognize attorneys as legal specialists in the field of local government law and to encourage attorney proficiency and competency in the local government legal field. The Program offers local governments a reliable benchmark for determining experienced and knowledgeable practitioners.

The Fellows Program is offered to applicants having been admitted to the bar for at least five years with not less than five years' experience in the field of local government law, at least three years of which must have been as a municipal attorney, assistant municipal attorney, county attorney, assistant county attorney, state league counsel, or assistant state league counsel. To apply, applicants must also be in good standing and full members of IMLA.

As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit letters of recommendation attesting to their ability in the field of local government law. In addition, the applicant must have attended a minimum of one IMLA seminar or conference or other IMLA event in the previous two years.

Applicants must also show completion of at least six continuing legal education credits in the field of local government law on national legal issues in the past two years and completion of at least six continuing legal education credits in the field of local government law in the state/province of the applicant in the past two years. Passage of a two-part written examination is required for designation.

To be recertified, an applicant must make a satisfactory showing of continuous and substantial involvement in the field of local government law throughout the period since the last date of certification; complete at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing legal education since the last date of certification (recertification); and submit a reference who is familiar with their practice and who can attest to the applicant's reputation for special competence and substantial involvement in the field of local government law.

Ms. McGannon served as the Assistant City Attorney from 1992 until October 1, 2001, when she became the City Attorney of Murfreesboro. Along with many other highly distinguished awards and accomplishments, Ms. McGannon currently serves on the Board of Directors of IMLA, the specialty bar association for American and Canadian local government attorneys. McGannon has written a number of articles published by IMLA and has taught numerous continuing legal education programs for lawyers. IMLA awarded her its Joseph I. Mulligan Distinguished Public Service Award in 2008. She also serves on the Board of Professional Responsibility, the Supreme Court's professional responsibility system for Tennessee attorneys.

Source:

Mike Browning, PIO for Murfreesboro