Richard A. Simpson Honored by IMLA with ‘Amicus Service Award’

April 26, 2021

Washington, DC – Richard A. Simpson, partner in Wiley’s Appellate, Insurance, and Litigation practices, was honored with an “Amicus Service Award” from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), in recognition of his outstanding service to the organization’s Legal Advocacy Program.

The award recognizes lawyers who have been actively involved in legal advocacy for and on behalf of local governments and IMLA, and who have done exemplary work to protect and advance local government interests.

During a virtual ceremony on April 23, Mr. Simpson was honored for his pro bono representation of IMLA and several other municipal organizations as amicus curiae in a U.S. Supreme Court case, City of San Antonio v. Hotels.com, L.P.

Mr. Simpson served as Counsel of Record on an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court March 3 on behalf of IMLA, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the International City/County Management Association. The team of attorneys also included Wiley associate Emily S. Hart, along with co-counsel Lisa E. Soronen, F. Andrew Hessick, and Luke H. Everett.

The amicus brief supports the City of San Antonio’s challenge to a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that district courts may not exercise discretion in assessing appellate costs under Fed. R. App. P. 39(e). The brief argues that the Supreme Court should reverse the Fifth Circuit’s decision and hold that in taxing appellate costs, district courts should exercise their sound discretion to assess costs in an equitable manner under all the relevant circumstances of the particular case.

Mr. Simpson has a national practice, with an emphasis on defending claims against lawyers and other professionals, providing legal ethics advice and representing lawyers in disciplinary proceedings, and representing insurers in coverage/“bad faith” litigation. He also has represented individuals (including White House officials and a U.S. Senator) in connection with criminal and congressional investigations, and has an active pro bono practice.

The International Municipal Lawyers Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests and education of local government lawyers. The IMLA Legal Advocacy Program serves IMLA members and their governmental clients as an evaluation center, as an information outlet, and in some cases as an amicus in litigation considered to have a significant impact on a substantial number of local governments on a national basis.