December 7, 2022

1pm - 2pm Eastern

Federal Circuit Court Trends

This presentation will examine trends in the federal circuit courts involving important constitutional issues for local governments. Topics covered will include social media cases and the First Amendment, homelessness case trends, Taking trends, novel Fourteenth Amendment arguments stemming from COVID-19 shutdowns, and the dormant commerce clause as it relates to short-term rentals. 

Speaker: Amanda Karras

Amanda Karras is the Executive Director / General Counsel of the International Municipal Lawyers Association.  In this capacity, Ms. Karras oversees IMLA’s governance and staff.  Ms. Karras also oversees IMLA’s legal advocacy efforts with the United States Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, and state appellate courts by reviewing and evaluating requests for IMLA’s amicus assistance, advising the legal advocacy committee regarding potential amicus cases and their significance to local government, coordinating case strategies with IMLA’s amicus authors, and drafting and revising amicus briefs. Ms. Karras has authored numerous amicus briefs including at the Supreme Court merits and petition stage as well as in federal circuit courts. Ms. Karras is also responsible for developing the content at IMLA’s conferences. Additionally, Ms. Karras leads a number of working groups for IMLA on emerging issues.  Ms. Karras co-teaches a course on local government law at George Washington University Law School.  Prior to joining IMLA, Ms. Karras worked in private practice in Boston, Massachusetts, focusing on employment law and litigation, first with Ropes & Gray, LLP and later with Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP.  Ms. Karras received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colby College and earned her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School, graduating magna cum laude.  Ms. Karras served as an Articles Editor for the Suffolk University Law School Law Review. Ms. Karras is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, and the United States Supreme Court.