The International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) recognized Husch Blackwell partner Heidi Bloch with its Amicus Service Award for her work on Pidgeon v. Turner. Bloch wrote an amicus brief in support of the City of Houston in a Texas State Supreme Court lawsuit challenging its decision to provide benefits to same-sex spouses of city employees.
In June 2017, the Texas State Supreme Court vacated a trial court’s injunction barring the city from providing the benefits; however, the Court sent the case back to the lower court on technical issues. Bloch also wrote a subsequent amicus brief supporting the city in its writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court of the United States.
The IMLA’s Amicus Service 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.
Recipients of the 2018 Amicus Service Award were recognized on April 20, 2018, at the IMLA Mid-Year Seminar in Washington, D.C., during an amicus awards ceremony at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.