They Are the Municipal Champions

Four attorneys honored for their work on pandemic executive orders

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities honored four Connecticut attorneys as CCM’s “Municipal Champions” for 2020 at CCM’s recent statewide convention for their extensive work on a wide range of Executive Orders from the Governor that impacted local governments since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The CCM convention took place virtually this year from December 1 through 3 for the local leaders of Connecticut’s 169 towns and cities.

The four honorees are Attorney Claire Coleman, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs for the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM), Attorney Steven Mednick, Attorney Kari Olson, Partner with Murtha Cullina, and Attorney Rich Roberts, Partner with Halloran Sage.

“CCM’s 2020 Municipal Champions showed outstanding service and commitment to Connecticut towns and cities,” said Joe DeLong, CCM Executive Director and CEO. “They put in countless hours on the complex issues related to over 80 Executive Orders from the Governor and worked tirelessly behind the scenes with CCM and our member municipal leaders over the last 10 months.”

Attorney Claire Coleman, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs for the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM

Attorney Claire Coleman, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs for the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM) plays an instrumental role in reviewing and advising on a wide range of legal, policy and budgetary issues that are critical to OPM’s mission in Connecticut, and has worked closely with staff from OPM and the Office of the Governor to issue Executive Orders to help ensure towns have the legal authority to properly respond to and function during the COVID-19 pandemic. Melissa McCaw, Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, said “Coleman and the other attorneys deserve strong praise for their meticulous work on the executive orders and the highly effective role they played as liaisons with CCM and Connecticut municipal leaders.” “Each of the attorneys noted that it was rewarding working with local leaders and CCM,” said DeLong. “They emphasized that it showed how state and local government can work together. Their work played a critical role in guiding municipal leaders on local government services and public meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Connecticut in March.”

Attorney Steven Mednick

Attorney Steven Mednick’s practice concentrates on governmental-related transactions for economic development, school construction, land use and zoning; municipal governance regarding charter revision and structural reform; commercial financial transactions and technology procurement representation for the public and private sector.

Kari Olson, Partner, Murtha Cullina

Kari Olson, Partner, Murtha Cullina, is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department and chair of the firm’s Municipal and Land Use practice groups. She concentrates her practice in municipal law and land use litigation. She represents municipalities and their agencies, boards and commissions in all matters of municipal concern and governance, as well as all types of litigation.

Rich Roberts, Partner, Halloran Sage

Rich Roberts, Partner, Halloran Sage, represents municipalities in the full range of legal needs. He provides legal counsel to towns on real estate acquisitions and sales, land use, charter revisions, drafting and review of ordinances, FOIA, elections and property tax issues.